Filed to story: Healing My Disabled Husband Novel
She knew what it looked like – that all she wanted was to win – but winning through unreasonable means held no real value. She needed a plan.
“We should call a truce,” said Rosemary. “This isn’t something we can decide on our own.”
Patrick and Aimee exchanged glances; sure enough, the next second Rosemary turned towards them both and asked, “Can you give us whatever we want?”
“In theory,” replied Patrick. “But scientifically speaking, it’s a probability issue. Even your mom and I can’t guarantee making such decisions.”
Rosemary was still too young to understand probability issues like these.
Ridge remained silent; he’d read enough encyclopedias already so he vaguely understood what they were talking about now.
After hearing Patrick’s explanation though, Ridge realized he didn’t know why they were arguing earlier at all. He felt pretty stupid about it now.
“What if I want a sister instead?” asked Rosemary.
“Emotionally speaking,” said Patrick patiently, “your mom and I will try our best to fulfill your wishes along with your brother’s, but if we can’t do it, would you get angry?”
Rosemary tilted her head thoughtfully before answering, “I wouldn’t be particularly angry or happy either way.”
“So let’s focus on whether or not you want another sibling first,” suggested Patrick. “As for whether it’s going be brother or sister, it’s up for fate decide. Isn’t that okay?”
Patrick always had patience when dealing with children like Rosemary. She thought about his suggestion carefully before nodding seriously. “Okay.”
Patrick said, “So now that we’ve reached a consensus, we can wait together for our little brother or sister.” Ridge and Rosemary both nodded in agreement, welcoming the new addition.
After the discussion ended, Ridge looked at Patrick and asked, “If we have a little sister first, can you still try for a little brother?”
Patrick replied, “This question goes back to square one. It’s something that even Mom and Dad cannot decide with 100% certainty. It’s up to fate.”
Patrick had no intention of telling Ridge about the possibility of using IVF to determine the gender of their child. He believed in letting nature take its course and accepting whatever came their way.
Ridge finally understood that this was not something they could force. He sighed and said, “Let’s just go with the flow. Whether it’s a brother or sister, I’ll protect them.”
Rosemary added seriously, “Me too! I’ll take good care of my little sibling.”
Her words touched Aimee and Patrick deeply. Even Ridge looked over at her skeptically wondering if she would really not bully her younger sibling.
However, Rosemary quickly climbed onto Patrick’s lap and pleaded, “Although I understand that you guys cannot decide whether it will be a boy or girl, I still hope you can try your best to give me a baby sister!”
Aimee and Patrick couldn’t help but laugh at Rosemary’s antics. She was such an adorable troublemaker!
Ridge shook his head in disbelief. He couldn’t imagine himself pleading like this for another sibling. However, Rosemary seemed quite skilled at it. She even clasped her hands together, begging, “Please Daddy!”
If it were to say that Patrick’s patience in this lifetime was all given to Aimee, that would actually be incorrect. Because it was clear that most of Patrick’s patience was given to Rosemary. He never thought of himself as a person who loved his daughter so much before, even though he and Ridge were not on good terms. But two cold people being cold towards each other was nothing special.
However, at this moment, Patrick clearly saw his own heart and realized that he was indeed biased towards Rosemary.
At this moment, Patrick only felt that Aimee had great foresight. When she was pregnant, the two of them had already discussed their parenting philosophy for the future. Aimee suggested not treating their children like children but letting them grow up like adults and solve problems on their own instead of crying out for Mommy or Daddy.
Now it seemed if Aimee hadn’t set this policy early on, Patrick might have permanently tilted towards Rosemary.
This would naturally hurt Ridge since he was also his son; there was no reason why Patrick wouldn’t love him just as much.
Fortunately, such a situation did not occur. After both children fell asleep, Patrick said seriously to Aimee, “Thank you for making sure I didn’t become a bad father.”
The relationship between him and Ridge had always been unpredictable; if he played favorites with his daughter again now, then Ridge would definitely resent him.
Aimee didn’t think too much about it though; she just believed that adults always treated children like they knew nothing, which wasn’t necessarily a good thing especially with more and more unruly kids nowadays because parents coddle them too much without limits, leading to an entitled attitude.
Naturally she didn’t want her kids turning into brats either, so for her she hoped they could have a healthy and happy childhood while growing up into well-rounded individuals with strong personalities.
The reason why she agreed with Patrick’s plan where they wouldn’t interfere no matter what problems arose between the two kids was because Aimee always believed there wasn’t any problem in life which couldn’t be solved except death ??let alone issues between young siblings who were still learning how to navigate life themselves.
This was not because Aimee looked down on children, but because she believed that the problems they may create during their growth process were also gradual and cannot create catastrophic problems right away.
This also meant that, in the process of growing up, if adults always provided correct guidance, then those worrying issues will not arise.
Now the two children were almost four years old, and the fact had also proved that Aimee’s educational policy was without any problem.
Even Perla and Brandon, who were also following this educational philosophy, were growing up happily and healthily.
However, Aimee still understood the meaning behind Patrick’s words.
She looked at Patrick, then glanced at the two children who were already sound asleep, but still leaned in to Patrick’s ear and whispered in a voice that only he could hear, “Do you want a little sister, right?”
Patrick held Aimee’s waist and said, “When I think about it, isn’t it unfair?”
Aimee said, “It’s normal. Either it will be a younger brother or a younger sister. It’s not possible to give birth to a third gender. If you don’t use some medical means, you may not necessarily get what you want. So, don’t burden yourself too much. It’s just one of your wishes.”
Aimee’s words undoubtedly made Patrick’s heart skip a beat. He wasn’t a god, nor did he have any special relationship with the heavens that would make them grant his every wish. But still, he couldn’t help but feel guilty towards Ridge and biased towards Rosemary. This was something that either had to remain hidden from Ridge forever or risk their father-son relationship becoming even more distant.
Aimee reached out and cupped Patrick’s face in her hands, saying, “I never realized you had this side to you before.”
Patrick never thought of himself as someone who could be considered a doting father. He always assumed that only people like Eden could be like that.
But then again, the Edens had a son too and it was unclear whether or not he possessed such qualities.
Aimee leaned in closer to Patrick’s ear and whispered, “Do you want me to help you get what you want?”
Patrick knew exactly what she meant without her having to explain it further.
He held Aimee tightly and said firmly, “No.”
Why resort to artificial means when they could conceive naturally? Even though medical advancements made this possible without harming Aimee’s body too much, Patrick felt strongly against anything that might hurt her in any way.
“But it isn’t as bad as all that,” Aimee persisted. “What about those who can’t conceive naturally? What do they do?”
“That may be true for others,” replied Patrick sternly. “But we don’t need it.”
Aimee didn’t push the matter any further because she understood how much this meant to him – after all, he was doing it for her sake too.
Her thoughts drifted elsewhere as she contemplated how likely it was for them to conceive naturally – half-and-half at best – but she still wanted to help somehow if possible.
She needed time though; time alone with her thoughts so she could plan things out carefully without leaving any traces behind.
For now though, there were more pressing matters at hand: finishing the meal before heading out for the day ahead of them tomorrow morning.
Patrick glanced at the time and pulled Aimee back into his embrace, saying, “Let’s sleep a little longer.”
Aimee replied, “You go ahead and sleep. I’ll go check on the meat I marinated.”
Patrick didn’t want to let go of Aimee at all. He was tempted to just take back his promise since there were chefs on the cruise who could cook whatever they wanted.
Aimee was held tightly by him but felt helpless. After coaxing her for a while, Patrick finally got up with her and said, “I’ll accompany you.”
Knowing that he was sticking to her side, Aimee didn’t refuse.
After getting ready together in their room, they went out together. The big meal that Aimee planned was scheduled for dinner time. However, she had already done all the preparation work since last night.
All the ingredients that needed marinating were already prepared as well as all the sauces that needed mixing.
Patrick helped Aimee with some of the preparation work but only managed to wash some of the ingredients. Even when it came to chopping vegetables this time around, she didn’t let him do it.
Although Patrick’s culinary skills were now considered one of the best among Hayden family’s four siblings; he still couldn’t compare himself with professional chefs outside their family circle. His knife skills remained terrifyingly bad even until now.
Patrick really wanted to try it out, but unfortunately Aimee won’t let him, and he can’t do anything about it.
Aimee was busy while Patrick was hovering around her like a tail, swaying back and forth.
Sometimes when Aimee turned around to grab something, she accidentally bumped into Patrick’s arms, which made Aimee feel both helpless and amused.
She looked at Patrick and said, “Can you find a place to sit for a while?”
“No.” Patrick refused very decisively.
He just wanted to keep his eyes on Aimee and not let her out of his sight for a moment.
Aimee was helpless, but there was nothing she can do.
What can she do? He was the husband she chose for herself. If she didn’t spoil him, who else will?
However, Patrick was not completely clueless. Despite being clingy, he obediently took a step back to make it easier for Aimee to move.
For this reason, Aimee put down the knife in her hand, moved to Patrick’s lips, and kissed him hard.
Patrick really wanted to directly distract her, for example, to deepen the kiss, or to do something excited in the kitchen with Aimee while everyone was still asleep.
However, Patrick had the intention but lacked the courage.
He couldn’t guarantee that if he really did this, Aimee would directly greet him with a knife and give everyone extra meals.
However, once the thought came to his mind, he anticipated about it.
He approached Aimee again, his hands wrapped around her waist, and leaned in close to her ear. “Aimee, after we get ashore, let’s stay at La Grande Maison.”
Aimee was taken aback and turned to Patrick with suspicion, asking, “Why go there?”
Patrick said, “Just the two of us.”
Aimee was speechless.
Not including Ridge and Rosemary yet.
Now there was no need to ask anymore, because Aimee had no more doubts.
Aimee said, “So you really want more children. Why didn’t you say earlier? Why were you too embarrassed before?”
Patrick responded to Aimee’s teasing by kissing her ear and saying, “I suddenly feel like we’ve missed out on a lot of things. It’s not convenient at the old house, but it’s more convenient to go to La Grande Maison.”
Aimee squinted her beautiful eyes and turned to look at Patrick.
She couldn’t help but let her imagination run wild with these words.
The look that Patrick gave her confirmed that she didn’t need to think twice – he really did have those intentions.
