D&B5

38

After putting everything away, everyone sat down to rest in the living room. It was almost noon, and Day left the bedroom door open to listen for his son, as he and Brick had let the baby sleep alone in the bedroom.

"For lunch, Mr. Roman had someone order food for us. As for dinner, it's up to everyone how they want to handle it," Keith announced as he walked in to update everyone about lunch.

"Should we buy ingredients to cook ourselves?" Nan suggested.

"I'm too lazy," Brick directly replied, as he had to take care of the baby.

"Don't worry, we'll handle it. You, the new dad, just focus on taking care of your child," Nan joked. Brick then playfully kicked Nan's shin in annoyance, and everyone agreed to buy seafood to cook at the vacation house since they had all the necessary kitchen equipment. It wasn't long before the food arrived. Keith said that Roman would come to have lunch at the house, while Roman's staff would eat at the other guest house. Everyone helped set the dining table, and Roman walked in to join everyone for lunch.

"When are you taking the baby to the sea?" Nick asked Brick while they were eating.

"Later in the evening when the sun isn't too harsh," Brick replied.

"I bought a swimsuit for the kid and have already washed it," Nick said with a slight raise of his eyebrow.

"I want to see it, but he won't show me," Gear complained half-heartedly.

"You'll see it soon; it's just a children's swimsuit," Nick replied with a smile.

"Mr. Roman, should we cook some food for your staff as well?" Day asked.

"Please do. I'll pay for the food myself, no need to hold back. Consider it my treat for bringing my nephew to the beach," Roman preemptively replied, knowing that Day and his friends were hesitant about him covering the expenses. Day gave a slight smile.

"Sure thing," Day responded. Meanwhile, Brick, who finished eating first, excused himself to check on Ob, only to find the little one awake but lying silently on the bed as if dazed.

"Oh, you're awake! How long have you been up?" Brick exclaimed in surprise. He had forgotten to bring the camera, thinking that his son would make some noise, but it was completely quiet.

"Oh... oh," Ob made sounds while lifting both arms. Brick picked up Ob to take him to wash his face and change his diaper before bringing him out to meet everyone.

"You're awake now?" Night said, and Ob smiled broadly at everyone.

"I have no idea how long he's been up. When I went in, he was just lying there quietly, staring at the ceiling," Brick explained. Night took Ob from Brick so he could prepare milk for his son. Night carried Ob to stroll around the pool area, where a large yellow rubber duck was floating in the water, and Ob looked on with interest.

"Ooo, oo!" Ob pointed at the rubber duck.

"We'll play together later in the evening," Night said with a smile. After a while, Brick walked over with the bottle, and Night took Ob into the living room so he could have his milk. Keith, Nan, Mac, Neil, and Nick volunteered to go buy fresh ingredients to cook for dinner. Keith would pay for everything while the others stayed at the house. Roman himself decided to return to the guest house next door to work through a video call.

"Now, call 'Paa'!" Brick said playfully to his son after Ob finished his milk. He laid down the baby mat that he brought along on the living room floor so Ob could sit, lie down, flip over, and play with noisy toys.

"Pa, Paa!" Ob responded, causing everyone to pause for a moment. Night quickly grabbed his phone to record the moment.

"Try again. Call 'Paa Brick'! Paa, Paa!" Day said, knowing full well that the baby wouldn't be able to call "Papa Brick" just yet, but figured "Pa" would be easier to say.