Mark observed the sun and instructed Zoey to take Edwin indoors for breakfast. He then trailed behind them, with Olivia cradled in his arms.
Olivia remained unsettled.
She reclined in her father’s embrace, yearning for her milk bottle, but obstinately refusing to get down.
Mark continued to hold her, preparing a bottle of milk.
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Eventually, Olivia clutched the feeding bottle and drank while still in Mark’s arms. She dozed off eventually, her lips relaxing, allowing the bottle to slip. She’d awaken, resuming her determined effort to drink.
Mark kept coaxing her, reluctant to divert his gaze.
Edwin hadn’t eaten much and approached his sister.
Bending down, he remarked, “Olivia is so adorable.”
Mark affectionately ruffled Edwin’s short brown hair and replied softly, “You’re adorable too.”
Edwin puckered his lips and remarked, “I’m a little guy. ‘Adorable’ isn’t the right word for me.”
Mark smiled warmly.
Olivia was finally sound asleep, which was good since children required ample hours of sleep each day.
Mark mused that the one upstairs also had a penchant for sleeping in.
He then carried Olivia upstairs.
As expected, Cecilia was still in slumber.
Mark tenderly placed Olivia in her mother’s bed.
Cecilia roused from her sleep.
She gazed down at Olivia in her embrace, planting a gentle kiss on her daughter’s forehead. In a hoarse voice, Mark suggested, “It’s still early. Why don’t you sleep with her for a little while longer?”
Cecilia hesitated.
It was already eight o’clock, and she felt it might be too late to go back to sleep.
Mark playfully tapped her head and teased, “My mom knows you well.
You don’t have to pretend to be diligent.”
Cecilia pressed her lips together, shooting a stern look at Mark.
Just as Mark was about to respond, his phone rang, and it was Peter on the line.