18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 595

With his daughter Stella taking charge of the kitchen, Daniel invited Staff Officer Si into the study for some fine English tea. "Stella's got some serious culinary skills. We just sit back and wait for a feast."

Staff Officer Si's eyes, ever perceptive, gleamed with admiration. "Top-notch tea. This must be another one of your daughter's thoughtful gestures."

Daniel chuckled. "When's the last time we just sat down and savored a cuppa like this?"

While the two men caught up in the study, Stella busied herself in the kitchen, and before long, dinner was served.

It was a simple meal, but Stella had put her heart into it.

Knowing that Staff Officer Si hailed from a region with a penchant for hearty flavors, Stella had prepared a zesty duck dish, generously seasoned with chili peppers, garlic, and ginger-a bold flavor that commanded respect.

True to form, Staff Officer Si hadn't tasted anything like it in ages, and his mouth watered at the aroma.

No wonder they say a man with a daughter has it all. Not only was she a pillar in the revival of Australian civilization, but her cooking was beyond reproach.

The meal wasn't just good; it was tailor-made to Staff Officer Si's tastes, a clear sign of Stella's heartfelt efforts.

Staff Officer Si ate with gusto and couldn't help but lament what Willowbrook had lost with Stella's departure.

Thinking of the Kindle Chest stacked in the transport ship, he couldn't resist broaching the subject again. "Daniel, does our old agreement still stand?"

Daniel feigned confusion. "What agreement?"

Staff Officer Si was not to be deterred. "We both have daughters now, and since Minnie is no more..."

The thought of his daughter caught in his throat, and he couldn't go on.

Daniel, filled with empathy, turned to Stella. "Stella, your Uncle Si and I had this pact that if I ever married and had a child, if they were of the same sex, we'd become godparents to each other's kids. Would you be okay with that?"

Back then, fresh from a breakup with Lillian and reeling from losing his child and lover, Daniel never considered he'd marry again, much less have another child, so he'd agreed without a second thought.

It was meant as a joke, but now Staff Officer Si was asking him to make good on

it.

The choice was Stella's to make.

Without hesitation, Stella filled a glass with wine and handed it over. "Godfather, may you live a long and prosperous life. May Willowbrook and Griffith bloom side by side."

was taken aback by her

it in one gulp.

glass. "Si, Stella can be impulsive and sometimes

table grew lively, and they ate for well over an

but the impending

with thousands of miles between their cities, who could say if they would ever meet

talked, a slight flush on their

arrived to pick up Staff Officer Si, Daniel was slightly tipsy. "Stella,

up the table, Stella grabbed a gift bag and escorted Staff Officer Si to

him up, and he looked at her with a mix of severity and softness. "Stella, if you had the chance to choose again, without the concerns you have now, would you stay in

roots, the fruit it

the subtext. The new familial ties at the dinner

a great distance for benefits, and Stella's new status

answer, Staff Officer Si

I hope we get

sternness with tenderness, he added,

an easy one. Be wary of the thorns

you. The rainbow after the storm is often the

she turned back to the

in his chair. "Has

me escort him out just

your Uncle Si. Since he came all this way, it's

quite agree. "I think Uncle Si won't let you off

be so easily appeased. If Griffith wanted to

with her insight.

Officer Si's schemes the moment

to accommodate as long as it wasn't too

at

had walked her

quite what to say. Gone were the carefree days of youth, replaced

breath, his palms sweating

quick, but the road

if he didn't speak now, he might never

his sweaty palms, he suddenly

her shoulder, but Dylan