The next day, Mia Moore asked Cecilia to go shopping with her.
She was over eight months pregnant, yet still full of energy, practically bouncing on her feet with excitement at the thought of going out.
“Cecilia, darling, come on. I don’t want to stay home. I’m going stir-crazy in there.”
Mia Moore hugged her belly pitifully. As long as Charles Chase was around, he wouldn’t let her do anything herself.
“But your belly’s so big now. You’ll be tired after just a little walking.”
“Mmm, let’s just check out the HIM maternity and baby store. After that, we’ll take a car back home, okay?”
Mia Moore was relentless, switching to her best puppy eyes and pulling out her secret weapon, “Plus, you can buy fun things for Little Rice Cake too!”
Cecilia had no defense against that. She surrendered and reminded Mia Moore to ask the driver to take them—and to bring Dasen along just in case.
They changed into fresh clothes. The mid-May weather was perfect for a pretty sundress. Xavier Foster was in the upstairs study.
Cecilia poked her head through the door to check if he was in a meeting.
Xavier Foster, reading a document, caught a glimpse of her through the doorway and let a barely noticeable smile slip.
A little bunny had come right to his door.
Cecilia knocked softly, stepped inside, and greeted him with an obedient smile.
“Hubby~”
“Hmm?”
“Are you busy?”
“Not really. I’m fine.”
“Yay! Then you can look after Little Rice Cake this afternoon. I’m going out with Yao Yao to do some shopping.” She darted to the door in a flash, pushing the stroller in with her.
“I’m leaving him with you, but I’ll be home for dinner.”
Before Xavier Foster could react, she’d already dashed out the door.
“……”
He stared at his son in the stroller. Father and son locked eyes—big eyes blinking at little ones. He sighed and muttered,
“Mommy’s gone out to have fun. It’s just the two of us now.”
Seeing it was his dad, Little Rice Cake made an enormous effort to wiggle and turn around, sticking his tiny bottom toward him.
Sigh—not Mommy.
Cecilia met Mia Moore at the HIM store. She saw her right away, standing obediently by the mall entrance—with Dasen close by to keep an eye on things.
When Mia Moore saw Cecilia approaching, she waved excitedly. “Over here, sweetie! This way!”
She was wearing a cute black dress, her belly perfectly round, one hand gently supporting herself.
Cecilia sped up to meet her. “See? I said you wouldn’t be able to stay at home—you’re always itching to get out. Is the baby behaving?”
Mia Moore clung to her, whining, “It’s so boring at home. I’m practically growing mushrooms! Here, feel—the baby’s definitely not behaving. She’s all excited to see you and moving, moving.”
Right under her palm, the baby gave a little kick, gently thumping Cecilia’s hand. Cecilia couldn’t help but grin.
“So cute! Has it been hard for you lately?”
They chatted as they walked. Dasen dutifully pressed the elevator button, taking them straight to the 6th floor maternity section.
Mia Moore shook her head, “Not too bad, really. Just a sore back sometimes. Nothing else.”
She’d had an easy pregnancy so far—no morning sickness, eating well, and only started feeling backaches these last couple of months as her belly grew.
“When’s your due date? It must be coming soon!”
“A little over a month to go.”
Soon they arrived. The baby supplies were all ridiculously cute—tiny bottles, little toys, but most tempting of all: the rows of adorable baby clothes.
Even Cecilia couldn’t resist picking out some things for Little Rice Cake.
“Yao Yao, hasn’t Aunt Chen already prepared all this for you?”
Mia Moore was clutching a duckling-shaped baby bottle, barely able to part with it. “She has. But that’s okay—we can always get a few more cute things.”
“Wow, this dress is adorable! Ugh, it’s melting my heart. How can anything be this cute?”
Little girls’ dresses were impossibly pretty—soft fabrics, powdery pinks and lavenders. It was enough to make anyone dream of having a daughter.
“They really are cute. Yao Yao, do you know if your baby’s a boy or girl?”
“No idea! But right now, our house is overflowing with pink clothes.” She shrugged, rolling her eyes like, ‘You know what I mean.’
Cecilia burst out laughing. “I can imagine.”
“That’s why I want to buy some things in other colors today. Can’t let the baby’s sense of style be ruined by all this pink!”
They tossed everything that caught their eye into the cart, while Dasen, dedicated as ever, pushed it along behind them.
Suddenly, Mia Moore seemed to remember something. She turned to Cecilia and asked, “What about you guys? Little Rice Cake just turned one. Do you and Xavier Foster want a second baby?”
“Ah—” Cecilia paused. Honestly, she did want a daughter. But Xavier Foster didn’t seem too eager.
“Ever since…” She glanced at Dasen, standing behind them.
Best friends don’t need words—Mia Moore got it instantly. “Dasen, I want some milk tea. Can you get us two cups?”
“Ma’am, Young Master said you can’t have milk tea.”
“Why? I can have milk and tea—so why not milk tea?”
“...I don’t know…” Dasen was stumped by her logic.
Cecilia smiled, “It’s fine, Dasen. You can get it. It won’t hurt to have a little. Let Yao Yao have a sip.”
With Cecilia’s support, Dasen finally nodded and went to fetch the drinks.
He stood by the door for a long moment, took out his phone with its pink case, and decided he’d better report to his boss.
“Young Master, Ma’am wants some milk tea. The lady gave her permission—I can’t stop them!”