412: What's best for everyone

What's best for everyone

CLANG…0

A wave of nothing but silence monopolized the dining hall. Everyone present around the table had their eyes wide open and their jaws falling. They were all looking in the same direction. 

"So… we were correct?" Axel gasped, covering his mouth, eyes wide at his brother and sister-in-law. "You're… pregnant?"

Heaven and Dominic smiled, holding each other's hand. She then stretched her hand to Sebastian, who was sitting right beside her. 

"Yes," Dominic answered with a nod. "Heaven is pregnant."

"Oh, goodness!" Ria covered her lips with both her hands as a layer of tears coated her eyes. "What a great news! Oh, Heaven! Congratulations, dear!"

Ria pushed herself away from her seat, walking around the table until she stood behind Heaven's chair. She placed her hand on her daughter-in-law's shoulder, bending over to lean her cheek against the side of Heaven's head. 

"I'm so happy for you, dear," expressed Ria sincerely, reaching for her son's shoulder to squeeze it. "This is such great news. Congratulations to the both of you."

"Thanks, Mom." Heaven tapped Ria's knuckles as the latter kept her hands on her shoulders. 

"Oh, dear."

"Congratulations, Dom, Heaven." Lionel, who was sitting across from Dominic, nodded at his son approvingly. "Your mother and I had been wondering when you will plan to have a second child, but I guess we were worrying about nothing."

Dominic simply offered his father a smile, and before he could think of any reply, Axel spoke. 

"Sis, does this mean you have less time for me?" Axel frowned as his focus was on Heaven.

"Uncle, why are you asking my mother that question when you're not even her child?" Sebastian looked at his uncle in dismay. 

Having another child in this family would obviously mean Sebastian had to share his mother's time, and he was fine with it. However, why was his uncle acting like he was the first child?

"Axel, stop with your nonsense." This time, Grandma Zhu spoke, glaring at her childish grandson before shifting her eyes to Heaven. Her glare instantly disappeared, replaced by an affectionate smile. 

"Little Heaven, Grandma is so happy about this news," she chuckled heartily. "I thought Dom was lying when he said you couldn't come last time because you two were busy growing your family."

"..." Heaven bit her tongue, casting Dominic a quick look. 'So, he really used that excuse, huh?'

"Anyway, congratulations on the two of you. Surely, this is a wonderful news worthy of celebration!" Grandma Zhu clapped, and with that, all the relatives who were present congratulated the couple. 

"Congratulations, cousin." After the elders, Silas, who was quiet throughout the dinner, expressed his elation about the news. 

Everyone couldn't help but turn their heads in Silas's direction. The latter was smiling, ignoring the sudden change of mood, his eyes fixed on Dominic and then on Heaven. 

"Tch." Axel was the first to react, clicking his tongue in irritation. 

"Why is this abomination still here?" he mumbled to himself, earning a warning look from Lionel.

"What an honor to be here and hear the news firsthand," said Silas. "Grandma is right. This news is worthy of celebration!"

"Thank you, Silas. However, since Heaven is now carrying our child, I'm afraid a celebration will only exhaust her." Dominic maintained a calm countenance, peeling his gaze from his cousin to his grandmother. "I hope you understand, Grandma. I don't want Heaven to exhaust herself over an extravagant party."

"Hm…" Grandma Zhu rocked her head in understanding. "Is that alright with you, little Heaven?"

"Yes, Grandma. We can always throw a party and celebrate once the child is born. For now, I want to focus on taking care of the baby." Heaven smiled, planting her hand on her stomach before looking up at the person behind her chair. 

Ria smiled back at Heaven. "That's right, Mom. There were still many occasions we can celebrate this wonderful news."

"Heh." Axel snickered, casting Silas a malicious look. The latter ignored him, though.

"If that is the case, then…" Silas rubbed his chin as he hummed a long tune. "Heaven should move into the old residence."

"Huh?" As usual, Axel was the first to react, scoffing at his cousin. "Silas, what the hell are you saying?"

This time, Silas glanced at Axel. "I'm just saying, Heaven should stay in the old residence from now on so someone could take care of her. I mean, Dom is a busy man. Even if he spares her some time, it's still not enough."

"Not to mention, Axel also has work to do. Therefore, he couldn't be with her all the time," he continued. "So, the best option is she should stay here so the rest of the family can take care of her."

"The rest of the family…" Axel snickered, leaning his arms against the edge of the table. "... do you mean, including you? Oy, Silas. I can see your gears turning just by looking at your scheming face."

"Axel, I know I teased you for a bit, but I already said sorry. It's not like I meant it. Besides, Dominic had already jabbed at me ruthlessly. Isn't that enough to forgive me?" Silas frowned. "I'm just suggesting what I think is best for my cousin-in-law. Here, Dominic didn't have to worry. Grandma, Aunt Ria, and Uncle Lionel are here. They could look after her."

A moment of silence followed Silas's remarks. Putting it that way, he did make a lot of sense. How could Axel continue arguing?

"Silas is right." After a moment, Grandma Zhu's voice pierced the building silence. "It's better if little Heaven would move in here temporarily."

"Miriam will be with us," Dominic argued calmly. "I can hire more maids to look after her."

"But being taken care of by her in-laws is different." This time, Ria spoke her thoughts aloud. "You can hire a lot of maids, but I'm afraid Heaven would feel lonely despite that. Your father and I can move in here as well."

Reluctance flickered across Dominic's eyes, and he glanced at Silas, who would be staying in the old residence as well. How could he let his wife live under the same roof as this abomination? 

"This is not a decision we can make," Dominic said with a deep sigh, setting his attention on his wife. "My love, do you want to move in here temporarily?"

Grandma Zhu nodded in satisfaction at her grandson's question. "That's right. We shouldn't argue, since little Heaven should make the decision."

With those remarks brought up to the table, all the attention was now on Heaven. 

"Uhm…" Heaven pressed her lips into a thin line, looking around the table before facing Sebastian. "Basti, should we move in here in the meantime?"

Sebastian smiled brightly. "Wherever my mommy is, Basti will be there!"

"Then, that settles it." Her smile stretched as she faced Dominic. "I think it's best for me and Basti to stay with Grandma. After all, I also planned to visit Grandma regularly before knowing I was pregnant."

She paused, flashing Ria a look. "Mom and Dad will also be here. So, don't worry." She reached for Dominic's hand, nodding at him reassuringly. 

"Don't worry, my love," she reassured with a nod. "I think this is the best for everyone."

Dominic stared at his wife with reluctance still flickering across his eyes. However, seeing the confidence plastered on her face, his heart felt at ease. 

And just like that, things were settled. The family of three would move to the old residence… and Axel, too. 

pqdm.com