Chapter 955: Extra-9

The three babies were carefully placed on the soft carpet, each surrounded by fluffy pillows to keep them steady and prevent them from toppling over.

Alexander lay closest to Leo and Bella, while Arabella rested beside her brother, looking adorably comfortable in her little pink outfit. Sunny, meanwhile, was already wiggling excitedly, his tiny feet moving as though he couldn’t wait for the fun to begin.

In front of them, Jay and Jace had arranged a collection of objects, each supposedly representing a possible interest or future path.

There was a colourful sketchbook with crayons, a laptop, a collection of children’s books, a small toy gun that clearly represented the Moretti family’s Mafia legacy, a toy knife, a miniature crown, a stethoscope, a calculator, a little football, a paintbrush, a microphone, a toy car, a tiny musical keyboard and a plush carrot that Alexander immediately seemed to recognize.

Someone had even added a small teddy bear, a toy camera and a little globe to the collection.

"Why are there a toy gun and a toy knife among all these things?" Scarlett asked knowingly, raising an eyebrow as she noticed the selection.

Jay pointed toward Leo without the slightest hesitation. "Family tradition."

Leo gave him a cold look. "Do you want to explain why you’re encouraging my children to become criminals before they’ve even learned to walk?"

"It’s a toy gun, brooo!!" Jay protested with a laugh. "Besides, look at your face. You’re making it sound as if I’ve placed a real weapon in front of them."

"Take it away if you don’t want me to demonstrate the difference."

Jay immediately turned toward Jace. "Darling, I think our naming ceremony has turned into a threat assessment."

Jace sighed, though the corners of his mouth twitched. "You brought the toy gun, Jay."

"And now I’m suffering for it. This family doesn’t appreciate my efforts to preserve our traditions."

"Your efforts?" Jace repeated, giving him an amused look. "You were the one who insisted on adding a toy gun to a collection of baby toys."

"Exactly! I’m teaching our son about his heritage!"

"Your son is currently trying to eat his own fingers, darling. I don’t think he’s concerned about his heritage yet."

The family burst into laughter and Jay looked down at Sunny, who was indeed busy examining his little hand.

"See? He’s already curious about the world!" Jay declared proudly.

"Or he’s hungry," Jace pointed out.

"Let me enjoy my moment!"

Bella giggled while Leo shook his head in disbelief.

Meanwhile, the three babies continued looking at the colourful objects scattered in front of them. They had absolutely no idea that the adults were attempting to predict their futures through a collection of toys.

To them, it was simply a fascinating assortment of new things to explore and they seemed far more interested in the bright colours and unfamiliar shapes than in whatever grand expectations their families had attached to them.

Leo, however, was already focused on his daughter.

He carefully lifted Arabella into his arms and moved her closer to the arranged objects, settling her comfortably on the carpet with fluffy pillows supporting her from behind. He remained right beside her, one hand hovering protectively near her little body, prepared to catch her even if she so much as leaned a little too far to one side.

"Take your time, Princess," he murmured affectionately, brushing a finger over her soft cheek. "Papa is right here."

Arabella gazed at the objects with wide, curious eyes. Her attention moved from the colourful sketchbook to the laptop, then to the miniature crown and the little microphone. She seemed fascinated by the entire display, her tiny fingers opening and closing as though she wanted to grab everything at once.

Bella watched her daughter with an affectionate smile. "Look at her! She wants all of them."

"Of course she does," Leo replied, looking completely serious. "She’s my daughter. She can have whatever she wants."

Dominique leaned toward Hazel and whispered, "And this is how a spoiled princess is created."

"I heard that," Leo warned without even turning his head.

Dominique immediately sat back. "I was praising your parenting skills, brother-in-law."

"Keep praising them from there."

Bella covered her mouth to hide her laughter while Arabella continued studying the objects, blissfully unaware that her father was already prepared to fight anyone who dared to disappoint her.

Arabella continued examining the objects in front of her, her little eyes moving from one colourful item to another.

"Come on, Princess," Leo encouraged softly. "Choose something Papa can buy you a hundred more of."

"Leo, she’s supposed to choose her future, not give you a shopping list," Bella reminded him, laughing.

"What’s wrong with preparing for her future?"

"Everything, apparently," Jay muttered.

Arabella seemed completely uninterested in the adults’ conversation. After studying the objects for a while, she suddenly reached forward with her tiny hand and grabbed the miniature crown.

For a moment, everyone went silent. Then the room erupted into delighted laughter and applause.

"A CROWN!" Dominique exclaimed. "Oh, she’s not even one month old, and she’s already decided she’s going to rule the world!"

Leo looked immensely pleased with his daughter’s choice. He gently brushed her cheek, his face softening with pride. "Of course. My princess deserves a crown."

"Papa’s little queen!" Jason declared dramatically, making a tiny bow toward Arabella.

Leo nodded as though Jason had finally said something sensible. "Exactly."

Bella shook her head, smiling at her husband. At this rate, Arabella wouldn’t need to choose a career when she grew up. Her father would probably build her an entire kingdom before she could even ask for one.

Once everyone had finished admiring the little girl’s selection, it was Alexander’s turn.

Leo carefully helped Bella settle their son in front of the remaining objects, while Dominique crouched nearby, eager to see what Carrot would choose. Alexander looked around with his beautiful brown eyes, appearing far more interested in the collection than his sister had been.