After Surviving the Apocalypse, I Built a City in Another World

At this time, Althea and Garan were not the only ones dealing with children.

Currently Eugene was on leave and comforting Melissa in her home with Theodore, whom she also fell in love with.

Little Theodore simply had a special calming effect, a natural talent to comfort broken adults.

”I’m sure your brother will be fine, boss and Rowan alone could deal with those monsters easily.” He said as he patted her shoulder as she leaned against him.

Although was still in pain from the death of his lover, he couldn’t bring himself to avoid his first love.

She only nodded and sighed, picking up little Theo who was finally finished playing with his toys and was asking for hugs.

Or knowing him, rather than asking for hugs, he was giving it to those in need.

It was Eugene before, and now it was Melissa.

She embraced the child’s warmth and patted his soft little head. She slightly turned her head to look up at Eugene.

”Can I adopt him?”

Eugene’s eyebrows rose. Well, could she?

As he pondered, Melissa placed a soft kiss on the baby’s cheek.

She was heartbroken to learn of the child’s story. He must’ve been traumatized that he could no longer speak.

However, she believed with care and love, they’d be able to heal the child, as he was healing them.

…

In another area, a mother and son pair also met, their eyes brimming with tears.

”My son…” Mathilda voiced out, not expecting to see her son as soon as she finished a meeting.

”Mother…” Gill uttered with a warm smile, embracing her.

When he saw Ansel who told him about his mother, he immediately rushed to her office.

The two excused themselves and Mathilda led him to her villa, with her holding his arm tightly the whole way.

On the veranda with cookies and tea, they talked about what they had gone through. Gill smiled and much of the weight in his heart let go when he saw his mother living well.

There was only one worry left.

”If only Gwen was here…” his mother said, echoing his thoughts. He sighed, holding his mother’s hand tightly.

”She’s a strong girl,” he told her reassuringly. She not only learned self-defence from him, she also inherited their mother’s EQ (which he reckoned was all their mother could pass down, seeing as he barely had any).

”She’ll be fine,” he said, ”I believe so.”

…

And finally, back in the Gaea Team’s villa, the air was still.

There was only the family there at this time, with Harold excusing himself long ago with the excuse of checking the restaurant (note: Run to get help from Sheila).

Garan’s azure eyes fixed on the two children, who were looking back at him, their pretty colored eyes filled with wonder.

His heart felt like it was about to explode and he wouldn’t even mind it.

”My… children?” He asked again, just in case. Althea held back a giggle.

”Yes, your children.”

Garan had no idea how to react. He was obviously just happy he finally found his wife, and he suddenly found she had given birth for him?

Still two?

However, the first thought that managed to enter his mind was how Althea must have suffered.

How a pregnant Althea survived those 24 hours in Terran, how she suffered in this unknown world…

His free hand that had never left her waist tightened his hold, the other one wrapping them inside.

He leaned down and buried his head in the crook of her neck, enclosing his whole family inside his warm embrace.

He was careful not to smother the babies and he could hear their puzzled coos in his arms.

”I’m sorry I’m late.” He whispered, voice cracking a bit.

Althea chuckled and shook her head. ”We’re fine now and we’re all doing well.” On the contrary, she felt he had probably suffered more.

Garan had indeed suffered more. More than the endless wounds from his fights, he felt emotional and physical pain every night from missing his wife.

It was like he had missing limbs—like his heart was taken away, unknown when it would return.

At least Althea had her children, which anchored her sanity.

In any case, it took Garan a while to absorb the news and he only held the three of them in silence. When he finally rose from his daze, he lifted his head, his deep eyes staring straight to hers.

”Tell me everything.” He said, taking one of the babies in his arms—the little girl that shared his eyes.

The child didn’t make a scene and cutely buried her head into his strong arms, very comfortable.

It effectively turned his heart into mush.

Althea watched this and chuckled. ”Well, she probably understands who you are.” She said, ”She usually makes a small scene when being held by strangers. Look at her now, actively making herself comfortable in your arms.”

Garan smiled and kissed the baby’s forehead. ”Well, my daughter is of course very smart.”

He then turned to the other child—the beautiful boy who inherited his wife’s eyes—and kissed his cheek.

In response, the child blew saliva bubbles in response and laughed, splashing saliva all over his face.

”My son though…” he said with a stern voice, but his eyes were warm. ”...Needs a bit of training.”

This earned him a pinch on the cheek. ”Oh, stop it. He’s a baby!”

”He’s a boy. Boys ought to protect the women in his life well.”

His own words struck a chord in him and he stared at his wife filled with guilt. If only he was with them, maybe he could have protected them all from harm and pain.

But there were no what-ifs in this life, only reality. The fact was things already occurred and he was determined to do better from this point on.

”Tell me what happened,” he said, voice gentle. ”From when I left, please.”

Althea paused and stared back at him, feeling his emotions. She nodded with a smile in the end.

”You, too.” She said, and each holding a baby they told each other what had happened the past few months, intent on understanding what the other had to go through.