* * *
Still disappointed stepping out of the car, Laotian sighed as he helped the blushing Daniel out of the vehicle. Although he could have been stubborn earlier and insisted on going further, the thought of his future 2nd and 3rd son becoming an additional factor for his decrease in alone time with Daniel cut down his mood. Luangmin was already a major cock block at times and now it's sinking into him that there will be an additional two soon that he's starting to wonder if he will ever be with Daniel alone like they used to.
"I'm sorry, Laotian," Daniel whispered softly, the stubborn blush remaining on his cheeks as they now stood in front of the most popular family restaurant in town.
"You don't need to be sorry," Laotian said, wrapping his arms around his wife and later kissing him on his forehead. Although he was disappointed, there was no way it was because of Daniel. If anything, he was just developing a love and hate relationship with their twins.
"What are you two still standing there all affectionate with each other again?" Hanlu suddenly interrupted, walking towards the hugging Daniel and Laotian with Luangmin on his arms reaching out his little limbs seeing his parents hugging. They arrived seconds after the couple but he and Ian along with the kids just had to watch the two being all lovey-dovey like they always had been. Hanlu especially was kind of jealous because he couldn't do the same with Ian in public or else he'll end up with bruises on his sides or stomach.
"S-sorry, let's go ahead then," Daniel said shyly as he quickly pulled away from Laotian and held Minmin's hands who was reaching out before seconds later Laotian approached to pick him up from his younger brother, but not after glaring at Hanlu for interrupting his brief-time with Daniel. And as expected, seeing that glare, Hanlu was nothing but confused. Ian and Lan were already following Daniel and Laotian towards the restaurant while Hanlu was still standing at his spot wondering what he did wrong again. It wasn't until Ian called that Hanlu finally woke up from his thoughts and chose to ignore what just happened.
"Why are you so slow?" Ian complained with a frown, waiting for Hanlu at the top of the stairs.
"Nothing, I was just thinking that this could be our very first double date," Hanlu said as soon as he reached Ian and wrapped his arms around his waist. Meanwhile hearing what the Alpha just said, Ian grimaced.
"You're talking nonsense," Ian commented with a chuckle although what Hanlu said was kinda true. This was absolutely the first time the four of them went out together with the kids like this because, for the past few months, every day had been very hectic. With his and Hanlu's relationship being not so great before, and then suddenly Hanlu's scandal prompted him to choose to leave, and when finally that was fixed, Daniel was hospitalized, and now Lan and Luangmin's eye condition. And in addition to that, Hanlu and Laotian were both busy with company work so they never had a chance to go out together and enjoy themselves like today because when they did see each other, it was always a family celebration.
"Baby, my words are no way nonsense. Although the kids are with us, this is still considered as a double date, or at least for me, it is," Hanlu insisted that Ian didn't bother arguing anymore.
"Yeah. Yeah okay, but we better get going, Daniel and your brother are waiting," Ian chuckled again and later intertwined his fingers with Hanlu's before he dragged him towards where their table was. When they reached their table, they both sat on the available seats apologizing for their delay. Of course with the group's presence at the restaurant, people that were already there were beyond surprised. Who would have thought that such formidable figures would suddenly appear at a local family restaurant in the rural area?
Although not all people recognized the group, none of the employees or the existing customers could remove their sight from the group from the moment they walked inside. They were simply too eye-catching to ignore. If only they didn't emit the aura of a simple family eating lunch out at the restaurant, one would think the group was celebrities filming a scene. It was such a trivial thing but the scene looked so heartwarming.
"That is all, thank you," Ian said after the attendant noted their order and later left after saying their meal will arrive within 20 minutes.
"So? How's Lan and Minmin? They seem back to normal to me," Hanlu said, starting a conversation.
"Compared to Lan, Minmin has temporarily near-sightedness but the doctor said it will slowly return to normal. The worst-case scenario is that Minmin doesn't and will have to endure until he's big enough to undergo eye surgery but for now he's doing fine. In a week or two, the doctor said Minmin should recover his sight fully, otherwise, he'll have to wear glasses until surgery," Daniel replied, he wasn't depressed at this result anymore. As long as there was no permanent damage done even if his son had to do surgery in his teens, Daniel is more than happy.
"Ohh, that's great. I'm sure Minmin will recover soon so you don't have to worry about surgery," Hanlu replied happily.
"Thank you, Hanlu. And congratulations about Lan, although he needs more check-ups, the doctor said he had fully recovered," Daniel chuckled before he looked at both Hanlu and Ian.
"You're welcome, but this was all thanks to my beloved Ian of course," Hanlu said and later suddenly hugged Ian who was patient enough to tolerate Hanlu.
"That's right, thank you so much, Ian. If it weren't for you coming all the way here, I would have still been depressed about Minmin," Daniel said because truly if it weren't for Ian always encouraging him, he would have been convinced that his son would not recover his sight.
"That was nothing at all, you've taken care of Lan when we weren't here and we're family. It's only natural for us to help each other," Ian replied softly while patiently ignoring his husband's hug from the side. This might have been just casual but for someone who didn't have someone who he can call family before except Lan, Ian felt extremely overwhelmed. Events like this proved to him that it wasn't a mistake for him to continually give Hanlu chances he didn't deserve before because if it wasn't for his painful sacrifices before, he wouldn't have been so happy now.
"Right! This definitely calls for a celebration. I heard there's a famous picnic spot here in town? Why don't we go there and have a little fun before going back?" Hanlu exclaimed excitedly. With them being together now was a rare opportunity, there was no way he would let his chance slip.
"Yeah, there is. But that's a dating spot for couples," Daniel chuckled. When he was younger, his parents used to bring him there to have a picnic as well. It was one of his happiest times but throughout the time it had become a famous dating spot for young affectionate couples, there are hardly any children running around there anymore.
"Uhmm, excuse me? Aren't we a group of couples here? I saw pictures on the site, there's a playground for kids as well, it's perfect. It's like a double date," Hanlu said pointing at his older brother who was silently sitting there with Luangmin on his side playing with Lan. When Laotian heard what Hanlu just said, he suddenly twitched in interest. Although he didn't like that it's a double date, he does like the word date.
"Well, if it's safe I wouldn't mind. I think the kids deserve to have fun outside once in a while," Ian commented at the side, thinking it had been a while for the kids to enjoy the outside atmosphere.
"Well, it's okay I guess," Daniel said reluctantly before he glanced at Laotian from the side. He was a little worried because the last time he let Lan and Luangmin play alone, they almost got kidnapped.
"It's okay. I'll tighten up the security," Laotian assured, knowing that Daniel had become anxious.
"Hmmmn, Thank you, Laotian,"
"Ehem, it's my idea though," Hanlu interrupted, clearing his voice, making Daniel giggle and also thank Hanlu. Not long after the conversation their meal finally arrived, and as they started eating they finally noticed the eyes that were staring at them all this time.
"I hope you don't mind, this place didn't have a private room for customers," Daniel suddenly said noticing the eyes of the other customers and employees at the place, thinking they were all mesmerized by Laotian and Hanlu's dazzling appearances when in fact, he and Ian were as breathtaking as well as Lan and Luangmin that people just couldn't help but look and appreciate such view.
"Why are you apologizing to us? If I know they're looking at you and my Baby," Hanlu said and Laotian couldn't agree more. Additionally, a few stares wouldn't bother Hanlu and Laotian because they're used to it, especially Hanlu who had always been in the public's eye because of his past affairs with different kinds of famous personalities. When he was younger he used to hate it but now, it was like nothing.
"Don't involve me, this had nothing to do with me," Ian interrupted, he did not believe he was someone worth looking at. If anyone was eye-catching in their group it must definitely be Daniel who looks like a nymph failing to disguise himself as a human with his small face and alabaster skin.
"Definitely not me as well," Daniel said in defense, shaking his head.
"Then it must be Lan and Luangmin," Laotian interrupted casually saying, no one among them would admit it so it was the most rational to direct the issue to the two innocent little men with them since even he acknowledge that his and Hanlu's son were both truly adorable children. There was no doubt both would grow as one of the most attractive men in the country.
"Ahh, you're right. Of course, it's Lan and Minmin," Daniel quickly agreed, the Mo children are just too adorable that one would surely stare an eyeful. Lan was quite popular at his school and Luangmin even until now is still being sent a proposal to be an ambassador of various baby clothing brands to which he and Laotian strongly declined.
Meanwhile, Lan, who understood the adults' conversation, feigned innocence as he glanced at the four of them before he slightly shook his head left and right. Even though he was just a little kid, he was not stupid not to comprehend why people were staring at their group. It was simply because his parents and uncles were all extremely attractive people even more attractive than those he had seen on TV or in magazines. He just wondered why these adults just wouldn't accept it, that he didn't understand.
After spending more than 1 hour at the restaurant, it was finally time for them to go and just as they had agreed on, they went straight to the famous picnic spot in town. When they got there, there were little to no people around so they were able to enjoy the facility. The air was fresh because of the trees and flowers surrounding the wide grass lawn and the view was great with the blue sky and birds singing in the background. It was the same scenery Daniel could remember as he was young, it was so peaceful and very relaxing.
"I wish every day could be like this. Peaceful and nothing but happiness," Daniel commented, a soft smile flashed on his lips as his eyes followed Lan and Luangmin having fun not far away with Ian and Hanlu. He imagined the twins running around with them as well and he just couldn't help but smile even more.
". . ." Not saying anything, Laotian only held Daniel's hand before kissing the back of it. As if saying he felt the same and he would do anything for Daniel's wishes to come true.