บท 122: Something Significant
Seeing Aria and Robin leading Otohime to the table, Amelia simply caught Jack's eye and nodded. A subtle message of approval and intrigue was exchanged, and Jack returned the nod. Olvia gently picked up Robin. "Flow'rs very, very pretty," Robin finally managed to say, her face lighting up with delight.
As they settled around the table, Liana greeted Otohime with a warm but composed smile. "Otohime, it's nice to see you again. Please make yourself comfortable," she said, gesturing for her to sit.
Otohime nodded, still a bit overwhelmed by the harmonious atmosphere that seemed to envelop Jack's family. "Thank you," she responded quietly, taking her seat next to Jack.
Sophie and Isabella both greeted her with quick waves, while Titi was busy discussing the day's adventures with Ponis. Shakky, who was always the perceptive one, gave Jack an intrigued look but said nothing. Hancock, Sandersonia, and Marigold were too young to fully grasp the significance of Otohime's presence, but their eyes were bright with curiosity.
Though some were surprised by Otohime's arrival, no one questioned Jack's decision to bring her here. The table soon filled with animated conversation, laughter, and a sense of unity that Otohime had never before witnessed on such a scale.
Soon, Otohime saw something that left her astonished. After stepping into the house briefly, Jack emerged wearing just a vest and shorts. The casual attire revealed his muscular frame, which until now Otohime had only imagined underneath his usual clothes. Followed by Amelia, he carried a tray of meats and vegetables towards the barbecue grill in the garden.
Otohime couldn't help but watch as Jack effortlessly took control of the grill, his hands deftly turning skewers and adjusting temperatures. It wasn't just his skill that drew her eyes; it was the unguarded joy in his laughter and the ease of his interactions. He laughed freely with Amelia and Liana, and even tossed a few playful quips at Titi and Ponis, who were engrossed in recounting their own daily exploits.
His daughter Aria scampered over to him, tugging on his shorts. "Daddy, look! I made a flower crown!"
With a warmth that Otohime had rarely seen him display, Jack knelt down to Aria's level. "It's beautiful, Princess," he said, placing the small circlet of flowers on his daughter's head. She giggled, her laughter pure and unfettered, before running off to show her creation to the rest of the family.
Robin, clutching a doll in her tiny hands, toddled over to where Jack was standing. He picked her up effortlessly, setting her on his lap as he took a seat. "Do you like the flowers, Little One?" he asked softly.
"Yes, Daddy," she nodded, her eyes alight with the simple joy of the day. "Flowers are pretty!"
The difference was striking. Otohime had known Jack to be reserved, his expressions subtle, and his demeanor controlled. But here, in the comfort of his family, his walls seemed to come down. He was more animated, more present, more... alive. There was an unspoken but deeply felt emotion in the way he looked at his daughters, a vulnerability he allowed only in this sacred space.
Otohime felt her gaze lock onto him, something tugging at her heart. She couldn't quite place the feeling—perhaps it was the realization that this was a side of Jack she had never seen, a side she found herself deeply attracted to.
Like most Merfolk, Otohime was vegetarian. Jack had thoughtfully prepared her meal before he began cooking the meat for the rest of the family. This was to ensure that her food wouldn't be contaminated by the grease or the smell of meat. When he handed her a plate filled with grilled vegetables and plant-based delights, she felt a surge of gratitude. "Thank you, Jack," she said softly, her eyes meeting his for a brief moment.
"You're welcome," he replied, his eyes a calm blue as he returned her gaze.
"Thank you, Jack," Otohime responded, touched by his consideration.
Jack returned to the grill where skewers of meat awaited his expertise. His family, fully engrossed in their conversations, nevertheless sent glances his way, their eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Just as he was adjusting the heat settings, he felt a little weight on his back. Hancock had climbed onto him. "Teach me, please," she said in a voice tinged with awe and curiosity.
Jack smiled, his eyes lighting up with the same calm blue that seemed to steady everyone around him. "Alright, watch closely," he told her, gently guiding her hands to hold the tongs. As he explained the art of grilling, how to tell when the meat was done, and the nuances of flipping the skewers, Hancock listened intently.
Otohime watched this exchange and felt her heart swell with an emotion she couldn't quite identify. The connection he had with his family was genuine, and it was pulling at her in a way that was both confusing and comforting.
Meanwhile, Ponis and Titi were debating whether the next adventure should involve treasure hunting or exploration of yet another unknown island. Ponis, her eyes gleaming with the excitement of someone who had stepped beyond their dreams, was making a strong case for exploration.
Jack, catching bits of their conversation, chimed in. "Why not both? The world's big enough."
Titi grinned at him. "Spoken like a true adventurer."
Across the table, Aria had made her way to Shakky, proudly displaying her flower crown. Shakky, taking the moment to appreciate the simple yet beautiful creation, praised Aria, causing the young girl to beam with pride.
Jack took a seat, Robin finding her way into his lap. "So, Little One, enjoying the day?" he asked softly, his demeanor changing ever so slightly, revealing the tenderness he reserved for his daughters.
"Yes, Daddy," Robin said, her tiny face lighting up. "It's so fun!"
Otohime looked at the scene before her: the family laughing, the children learning, and Jack, a man she had known to be somewhat reserved, fully immersed in the chaos and love of his family. She realized that this was a facet of him she'd never seen but was rapidly becoming enamored with.
As if sensing her gaze, Jack looked up and met Otohime's eyes. For a brief moment, the world seemed to slow down, and in that instant, Otohime felt as though she had discovered something monumental. What it was, she couldn't quite place, but the feeling left her heart pounding long after their eyes had parted.
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