The CEO's Mischievous Little Bride
Chapter 571 Shopping

After the check-up, Patrick drove off. Not long after, another car rolled down its window, watching the happy family of three in the parking lot, camera in hand.

With Christmas around the corner, everyone was swamped. Vera and Patrick wanted to head back to Cherry Villa. "Dad, we gotta go. We haven't even started decorating the house yet," Vera said to Shawn while slipping on her shoes in the living room.

"Where are you going? This is your home; no need to decorate it," Shawn replied, not thrilled about them leaving, even though Vera could be a handful sometimes.

Cindy chimed in, "Vera, everyone comes home for Christmas. You won't feel the same at Cherry Villa with just Patrick."

Vera shot back, "Yes, we will. Theodore alone is lively enough."

Theodore, cozy in Patrick's arms after his milk, was the center of everyone's attention. Patrick had learned the hard way, with several shirts stained by Theodore's spit-up, to handle him carefully after feeding.

Shawn blocked the door, "What kind of excitement can you expect from Theodore? I usually let you do your thing, but Christmas has to be spent here."

Vera argued, "Dad, we still need to go home and tidy up the rooms, right?"

Shawn countered, "Unless you leave Theodore here."

With Theodore left behind, Shawn knew Patrick and Vera would have to come back.

So, Teddy ended up with Shawn. But since he had just had a lot of milk and Shawn wasn't exactly gentle, a blob of vomit landed on Shawn's sweater.

"Did he just drink milk?" Shawn glared at Theodore, then at Patrick and Vera.

Vera laughed, "What else? Do you think you could snatch him from Patrick because you're strong? Patrick handed him over because he knew Theodore might spit up." Shawn shot a look at Patrick, who quickly took Theodore back. "Go ahead, you're so annoying."

Patrick took Theodore, gently touched his little face, and hugged him with a smile.

In the end, Vera and the gang stayed at Olteran Manor for Christmas. It wasn't because Shawn had warmed up to Patrick, but because everyone was smitten with Teddy. When they heard Vera and Patrick were leaving, Cindy grabbed Theodore, Vincent wanted to keep him, and Molly declared, "Wherever Theodore spends Christmas, that's where I'll be." Randall said, "You guys can go."

Ironically, Randall's words held the least weight.

Patrick and Vera had no choice but to stay at Olteran Manor.

With Christmas coming up, it was getting cold, and Vera hadn't bought any new clothes. One day, Patrick passed by the company's secretarial office and overheard the female secretaries chatting about down jackets in a magazine, all saying they wanted one for Christmas.

Patrick thought of Vera. She was home every day, and he hadn't seen her buy clothes in ages.

When Patrick got home, he opened the wardrobe and saw Vera's clothes. He turned to see her changing Theodore's diaper on the bed without a single complaint. The clothes in the wardrobe were from years ago. Molly had updated her wardrobe multiple times, but Vera's clothes were almost the same as when they first got married.

Meanwhile, Theodore's clothes had already piled up in a thick stack.

Patrick walked out, "Vera, wanna go shopping?"

Vera was busy putting a diaper on Theodore. "I do, but as a mom, I can't just go shopping whenever I want. Theodore doesn't drink formula, so I have to take him everywhere."

Patrick glanced at Theodore, "I'll take care of Teddy tomorrow. You can go shopping without any worries."

Vera looked up, confused. "What's up, honey?"

Vera didn't feel deprived for not going shopping. Since becoming a mom, her priorities had shifted to her children.

But Patrick saw it differently. He thought Vera was being mistreated and felt guilty, like he was neglecting her.

"He's a child, and so are you. You don't need to sacrifice your comfort for his," Patrick said gently.

Vera laughed. "How am I a child? I'm already a mom."

Vera thought Patrick was just talking, but the next day, he firmly took the crying Theodore and generously transferred ten million dollars to Vera's account before taking Theodore to the office. Vera was both amused and exasperated by Patrick.

However, she finally had some time to herself.

Standing under the winter sun, Vera stretched. Every time people thought Vera was an adult, she'd say something that instantly revealed her childlike nature. "Cindy, let's go shopping, on my bill."

Cindy also needed new clothes. She washed her hands and said, "Vera, let me touch up my makeup, and I'll be ready."

Cindy was very meticulous. She was the role model Vera and Molly discussed emulating when they got older.

At nearly fifty, she maintained an excellent figure, paid attention to her diet at home, exercised regularly, practiced yoga, and knew how to take care of herself. She dressed appropriately, had a refined makeup look, and was gentle and approachable.

Vera thought that when Molly and she reached that age, they'd probably just go out with a mask and a hat.

Soon, Cindy was ready, carrying a light fragrance.

Vera playfully said, "Cindy, if I'm a man in my next life, I'll marry you."

Cindy's eyes crinkled with laughter, "That's not bad."

A few days ago, Molly saw her doing yoga and, impressed by her flexibility, ran to Vincent and said, "Vincent, you're really lucky."

Vincent remained silent.

Before leaving, Cindy thought of Molly. "Why didn't you invite Molly to come along?"

Having been influenced by Molly, Vera replied, "Cindy, trust me, don't invite Molly shopping. Even if inflats, you can't keep up with her in heels! Besides, haven't you noticed she's never home anymore?"