Hearing this, Caitlin turned to Gordon with a raised eyebrow. "As if you could get Gemma to come back with you."

"Is there any doubt?" Gordon retorted. "Of course I can get Gemma to come back with me!"

He and his precious daughter were on the same wavelength.

With that, Gordon walked over to Carey and held out his hands to Gemma. "Does Gemma love Daddy?"

Gemma immediately reached out for a hug. At one and a half, her teeth hadn't fully grown in yet. When she smiled, two tiny baby teeth peeked out, making her look like an adorable little bunny.

Gordon swiftly picked her up and shot Caitlin a triumphant look. "See how well- behaved my daughter is? Not like your sons! Gemma is the best. She's Daddy's little treasure."

He continued, "Mommy and Daddy are going home now. Will Gemma miss Daddy? Nod if you will, shake your head if you won't."

Gemma immediately wrapped her arms around Gordon's neck and nodded her head, showing that she would miss her daddy.

Gordon was even more smug now, planting a big kiss on his daughter's cheek. "See? A treasure is so much better than those two little rascals. Gemma, will you

come home with Daddy tonight?"

Everything was going perfectly.

But that last sentence seemed to flip a switch in Gemma. She immediately wriggled out of Gordon's arms, scurried behind Carey to hide, and once she was sure she was safe, she peeked her cute little head out, her big, round eyes watching Gordon cautiously. The entire sequence was seamless, without a moment's hesitation.

Caitlin burst out laughing. She turned to Gordon and grinned. "Mr. Sylvester, your 'little treasure' seems to be keeping you quite warm from a distance."

Gordon was at a loss for words.

A few seconds later, he recovered. "Gemma just thinks I had a long day of meetings and wants me to get a good rest. That's why she doesn't want to come back with me."

Yes, that had to be it.

His darling daughter was just too considerate!

Caitlin nodded, playing along with a smile. "Right, right, whatever you say. Your darling daughter is the best in the world."

"She absolutely is the best in the world."

Caitlin looked at Stuart and Carey. "Mom, Dad, we'll head back then."

The three little ones often stayed overnight at Gonzales Manor,

sometimes for half a month a net

time so neither of them was worried

"Go on, drive safe," Carey said.

Thirty minutes later, they arrived at Sylvester Gardens.

Beatrice was already asleep in the

Wer With the three children not back, the east quarterre

felt

unusually quiet.

The moment they stepped inside, Gordon swept Caitlin into his arms. "My dear, is tonight the night?"

By his calculations, today was the second day after her period had ended.

"Gordon, can you think about anything else for a change?" Caitlin playfully tapped his cheek.

"Not when I'm looking at you,"

Gordon said, spinning her around "And since the kids aren't home, we don't have to limit ourselves to the living room. There's the study the gym..."

the

"Alright, alright, zip it. Say no more," Caitlin quickly covered his mouth.

It was only after they were married that Caitlin discovered his cool, ascetic demeanor was just a facade.

Gordon was surprisingly adventurous.

And his stamina was off the charts, like a man in his early twenties.

Two days passed in a flash.

It was Elsa and Xander's 100-day anniversary.

That morning, Elsa received a text from Xander, asking her to meet for lunch at a

very famous upscale restaurant.