Chapter 381
As they made their way through the entrance, several passersby did double–takes at the triplets. Their matching outfits and identical faces drew attention everywhere they went.
“Oh my goodness, they’re adorable!” a woman exclaimed. “Would you mind if I took a picture with them? My daughter has twins, and she’d love to see triplets!”
The children looked to Irene, who nodded her approval. They posed politely for the photo, smiling their most charming smiles.
“Thank you!” the woman gushed. “They’re so well–behaved!”
Once inside, they quickly established a system. Irene pushed Adam’s wheelchair along the wider pathways, while Thomas accompanied the triplets on the rides Adam couldn’t access.
“Thomas, could you take them to the mini roller coaster?” Irene asked, pointing to a colorful ride designed for younger children. “We’ll wait for you at the bench over there.”
Thomas nodded, suddenly looking slightly apprehensive as three pairs of hands grabbed him and pulled him toward the line.
Come on, Thomas!” Alex urged.
“You have to ride with us!” Lucas insisted.
“It’s more fun that way!” Lily added.
What followed was a sight that had both Adam and Irene in stitches–Thomas, the ever–professional assistant, squeezed into a tiny kiddie ride, his knees practically at his chin as the cart zoomed around the track. The children’s delighted screams could be heard even over the ride’s cheerful music.
Next came the bumper cars, then the spinning teacups where Thomas looked increasingly green. Through it all, the triplets sang snatches of “Ring Around the Rosie” and “Old MacDonald Had a Farm,” their cheeks flushed with excitement.
From their observation spot, Irene watched her children with a warm feeling spreading through her chest. “I don’t think I’ve seen them this carefree in ages,” she said softly to Adam. “They’re always so… grown–up for their age.
Adam reached for her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Kids should be kids. We should do this more often.”
We. The word hung between them, filled with promise.
As the afternoon wore on, Lily spotted a candy stand. “Look! Caramel apples!” she squealed, pointing excitedly.
“Can we get some?” Alex asked, already pulling them toward the colorful booth.
An elderly woman with kind eyes manned the stand. She smiled warmly as they approached. “What can folks?”
t for you
“Three caramel apples for the little ones, please,” Irene said.
The woman nodded, then glanced between Irene and Adam. “And none for you and your husband?”
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Irene froze, caught off guard by the assumption. Before she could correct the woman, Lily piped up.
“Daddy, can we have one? They look so yummy!”
Lucas quickly joined in. “Lucas wants Daddy to buy one too!”
“Daddy, please?” Alex added, his eyes wide and pleading.
Adam’s expression softened at being called “Daddy” in public for the first time. Instead of correcting them, he smiled and nodded to the vendor. “Five caramel apples, please. One for each of us.”
Irene bent down to the children’s level, her voice low. “Sweethearts, you shouldn’t call Adam that. He’s Uncle Adam to you.”
But the triplets were having none of it.
“Uncle Adam is Daddy,” Lily,insisted stubbornly. “I like Daddy better.”
“Lucas wants Daddy to give him the caramel apple!” Lucas declared, pointing at Adam.
“Daddy, can you buy them for us?” Alex asked again, completely ignoring Irene’s correction.
Adam caught Irene’s eye, a small smile playing on his lips. He clearly didn’t mind the title–in fact, he seemed to be enjoying it.
Thomas stepped forward, handling the payment while the elderly vendor added two extra apples to their order.
“On the house,” she said with a wink. “You have such beautiful children. Reminds me of my own grandkids.”
“Thank you,” Adam replied, accepting the treats.
The woman beamed at the triplets. “You kids be good for your mom and dad now, you hear? Don’t give them too much
trouble.”
“We won’t, ma’am!” they promised in perfect unison, their manners impeccable despite their earlier rebellion.
As they moved away from the stand, the children spotted a colorful carousel in the distance, its painted horses rising and falling to cheerful music.
“Look at the horses!” Lily gasped, her eyes wide with wonder. “They’re so pretty! Mommy, can we ride them?”
Irene nodded, turning to Thomas. “Thomas, would you mind taking them to the carousel? I’ll stay here with Adam.”
“Of course,” Thomas agreed, allowing himself to be dragged toward the ride by three very determined five–year–olds.
As Thomas led the children away, Irene turned to Adam, suddenly remembering the caramel apple incident.
“I’m so sorry about that, Adam,” she said apologetically. “The kids were just being kids–they just wanted you to buy them treats. They didn’t mean anything by calling you… that. I hope you don’t mind.”
Adam chuckled softly, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Why would I mind?”
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His voice dropped lower, more intimate, “Eventually you’ll marry me anyway, so that title is just a matter of time, isn’t it?”
Irene’s cheeks flushed crimson. “Who says I’m definitely going to marry you?” she shot back, her tone playful.
On If not me, then who?” Adam raised an eyebrow.
“Who knows?” Irene replied with a mischievous smile.
Unexpectedly, Adam’s hand tightened around hers, his grip suddenly intense.
Irene noticed his palm was slightly damp with sweat. Is it too hot out here?
Little did she know, Adam was simply nervous. Even though he knew Irene was just teasing about not marrying him, his heart had contracted painfully at the thought.
The mere idea of Irene with someone else made him feel like he couldn’t breathe.
No. Absolutely not.
“Irene, you can’t marry anyone else,” Adam said suddenly, his deep eyes fixed intently on hers.
Those dark eyes, usually so controlled, now revealed unmistakable worry.
Irene froze for a moment, surprised that he’d taken her joke so seriously.
Her expression softened, and she used her free hand to pat the back of his. “Relax, I was just kidding. I won’t marry anyone else. I’ll stay with you.”
I’ll stay with you.
The words warmed Adam’s heart instantly. He nodded, visibly relieved. “Good.”
Irene smiled back, saying nothing more.
Just then, three fashionably dressed young women walked toward them, their eyes widening in recognition as they spotted
Adam.
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