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."

taken

one gulp. "Alright, from today on, I've gained

his own glass. "Si, Stella can be impulsive and sometimes overlooks things.

dinner table grew lively, and they ate for well over an

were in high spirits, but the impending farewell cast a shadow

of miles between their cities, who could

toasted and talked, a slight flush on their cheeks

to pick up Staff Officer Si, Daniel was

grabbed a gift bag and escorted

softness. "Stella,

no matter where I am, as long as I have my roots, the fruit it bears will

both understood the subtext. The new familial ties

a great distance for benefits, and Stella's new status was of no harm

answer, Staff Officer Si felt regret but didn't press

I hope we get to

mixed sternness with tenderness, he added, "The

an easy one. Be

the hidden message. "Thank you. The rainbow after the storm is often the

him depart, she turned back to

sobered up and was relaxing in his chair. "Has

me escort him out just

he came all this way, it's best not to let him

agree. "I think Uncle Si won't

a high-ranking official in Willowbrook, Si wouldn't be so easily appeased. If Griffith wanted to remain independent,

insight. "Stella, you've

Officer Si's schemes the moment he'd asked to

magnanimous enough to accommodate as

in moonlight, looking up at the scattered stars

walked

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

breath, his palms sweating with

back had been quick, but the

he didn't speak now,

palms, he suddenly grasped

but Dylan was