FAMILY OF THREE....

"When did you come?" De Xi asked with a faint smile.

"When you were too absorbed into your thoughts to hear me calling out your name." Father De said in amusement.

He indeed tried getting De Xi's attention by calling her name but failed, as De Xi zoned out quite conveniently.

"So, what were you thinking?" Father De asked again with a warm, doting smile.

"Wondering if I can make up to my past mistakes and regrets." De Xi answered lightly, her tone serene but the struggle was visible in her hazel eyes, which certainly did not miss Father De's eyes.

"We are humans, mistakes and regrets are the baggage we all carry, as for making up to it, I believe it is always the right attitude, that makes the difference. So ask yourself, if your attitude is right?" Father De quoted lightly with a faint smile.

"What is the right attitude?" De Xi asked with a sigh.

"Explain and apologize sincerely." Father De said with a shrug, as he smiled warmly.

"I can't do that either." De Xi sighed heavily, leaning onto her father's shoulder.

"Then just let the things go with the flow. What words can't heal, time will surely heal them." Father De said warmly in a doting tone.

De Xi looked at her father, who nodded his head assuringly and warmly caressed her head in a doting manner.

"I know my princess can handle everything well. Trust yourself." Father De said warmly.

De Xi sighed and hugged Father De's arm as she laid on his shoulder and closed her eyes, enjoying the moments of peace with her father.

"I am being left out again." Mother De harrumphed as she walked towards the father-daughter duo.

"How can that be honey?" Father De immediately opened his other arm, welcoming his wife in his embrace.

"This is much better." Father De said as he sighed softly.

He leaned on the tree trunk with De Xi's head resting on his right shoulder and his left arm around Mother De's shoulder and the latter leaning into his embrace, with her one hand on his chest and other around his waist.

The family of three enjoyed the warm autumn breeze, in each other's pleasant company.

After some time De Xing and De Xiu also walked over but the former stopped the latter before she could disturb their peaceful moment and dragged her back to the house.

"Why did you drag me back?" De Xiu asked in confusion and annoyance.

"Why would you disturb such rare moments of peace?" De Xing asked helplessly as he tried to explain it to his clueless sister.

"But it is time for lunch and we also need to set out for the amusement park." De Xiu said with a slight frown as she looked at her brother still clueless.

"They have seven years of parent-child love to make up for. If they are hungry they would come over on their own." De Xing said with a helpless smile when De Xiu nodded her head in understanding as realization dawned on her.

Meanwhile the family three, already knew of the duo who came and left, as they heard the sound of their footsteps pretty clearly.

"These two have really grown a lot considerate." De Xi chuckled softly.

"They are no more the jealous teens. They have a family of their own, grown and mature." Mother De said with a light laugh.

"How long has it been that I had my queen and princess in my arms at the same time?" Father De asked with a sigh but after hearing his statement, amusement flickered in Mother De and De Xi's eyes.

After a short moment of silence, the trio broke out in laughter, De Xi laughing with helplessness and Mother De as well Father De laughing with eyes full of nostalgia.

They knew that De Xi was not as happy and carefree as she showed to be. Finally now seeing her laugh like this, devoid of worries, even if it was just for few moments, their heart was comforted.

The one person whom not just them but the whole De clan owed to was De Xi because she gave up her chance to a happy life just to preserve the De empire.

"It is getting late, let's go back and have our lunch. You need to set out for the road trip as well right?" Mother De said warmly as she looked at De Xi.

"That's right." De Xi said as she straightened up, followed by Mother De and then Father De.

Then the family of three stood up, dusted the grass off from their clothes, and started walking back to the house.

"Thank you Mom, Dad." De Xi said warmly with a smile, right before they entered the mansion.

"What for?" Mother De asked in confusion, father De also nodded his head as if agreeing with Mother De.

"I know that you were worried about me but I assure you, I am living well and happily." De Xi said with a warm smile.

She hugged them both softly and then let after a moment, beaming them a smile once again before walking inside the house.

They reached the dining room to find the elders already seated, with servers serving the lunch to them.

"You also join them, I'll quickly check the kids if they need help with their packing." De Xi said with a smile, as everyone nodded and the De couple joined others at the table.

De Xi went upstairs, she first entered Lu Chao and Li Chang's room, as they shared a room.

"Boys need some help?" De Xi asked warmly in a jovial tone, as she hugged them together from behind, the former duo busy folding the clothes and keeping them in their bag.

"No, Aunt Xi, we are almost done." Li Chang said as he placed his last clothing article in and zipped his bag.

"So am I." Lu Chao said with a warm smile, as he zipped up his bag as well.