As the two emerged from the restroom, Thompson was already waiting at the door. "Alright, I'm going to bring you both back to the restaurant now."
"Okay, thank you Mr. Thompson."
Randy and Josh followed Thompson to the restaurant.
Jombo had the place beautifully decorated. There were even marshmallows and balloons for Venus.
Venus was prancing about the restaurant happily, wearing a fairy frock and holding a magic wand.
The scene stopped Randy and Josh in their tracks.
Their eyes shone with a certain gentleness, and their lips cracked into bright smiles.
The two brothers hoped that Venus could continue being as carefree as she was at the moment. They vowed to take good care of her.
"Randy, Josh, come here!" Jombo waved them both over.
The two walked over together. Thompson moved to pick them up and seat them on the taller chairs, but the children very easily climbed onto them on their own.
"Ah, you're all grown up now, " said Thompson with a smile. "Only two years ago, you both had to be carried onto your seats."
"We are six years old, Mr. Thompson." Josh grinned at him. "We're now primary school students!"
"Time really does fly." Randy surveyed the familiar environment around him and could not help but feel slightly sentimental. "I think the last time we came here was two years ago."
"Yes, the last time…"
Jombo was about to speak, but Randy interjected instead. "It was with Mommy and Mrs. Borah."
Jombo was stunned for a moment and didn't know how to respond.
"Mommy had to save up quite a bit to bring us here. I think it took her a while too." The memory of that made Randy a little sad and wistful, almost. "She was reluctant to spend money on herself but still managed to send us to the best kindergarten and provided us with the best life."
Josh's eyes turned red all of a sudden as he stifled a choke. "I miss Mommy and Mrs. Borah."
"I miss them too." Venus chimed in with tears in her eyes.
Jombo frowned and his expression turned sad.
Two years had passed, but he was still rendered speechless every time the children mentioned their mother and Mrs. Borah.
Jombo assumed that children as young as three would not remember much, and that time would eventually wash away the memories.
However, Randy's thinking surpassed that of an ordinary person. He had never forgotten Mommy and Mrs. Borah and would constantly remind Josh and Venus about them too.
"Mommy! Mommy! Mrs. Borah! Mrs. Borah!"
Dori fluttered his wings and squawked on cue.
For a while, the atmosphere became sad and solemn.
Jombo lowered his eyes and was silent.
Thompson then hurriedly stepped in to contain the scene before it was too late. "Well, everyone, the restaurant has prepared something really tasty today. After that, you have rock climbing and other activities to explore. The facility is new, and it's very suitable for kids your age!"
"Ooh, that sounds so cool!" said Josh enthusiastically. "Randy, are you joining us then?"
"Yes, I will play with you." Randy raised his hand and looked around the table. "Well, I'm hungry. Shall we eat?"
"Alright, I'll let them know right away." With that, Thompson went to notify the kitchen.
"Well, I'm going to make some sand art!" Venus was by far the most carefree and innocent of the bunch. "I'll just stick to that while you two go rock climbing."
"Okay." Randy picked up a fruit marshmallow and handed it to her. "There are other little girls on the playground, maybe you should play with them too!"
Venus wanted to answer but had her mouth stuffed with marshmallows and chocolate. All she could do was nod.
"Venus, we'll leave Dori to you as well, " said Josh while he munched on some fruit. "He might bother us."
"Okay!"
The atmosphere soon became more relaxed, filled with the sounds of the children talking and eating their fill.
Jombo's mood had improved a little but he still felt guilty.
In fact, the decision he made two years ago still weighed heavily on his mind. Was he wrong?
Perhaps, if he had not been so stubborn at first, his grandson and great-grandchildren would have had a happier life. It would have also improved their relationship significantly.
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