It'll Come Naturally

"What is wrong with him?" Leena whispered in Daisy's ear. She was momentarily concerned by Edward's uncharacteristic snappiness.

"Just ignore him. I think it's that time of the month," Daisy quipped with Leena, while they joined Leena and Kevin. The soldiers were enjoying the show and they spoke in muted tones. Kevin looked around, searching for Justin. "Where's Justin? Didn't you bring him tonight?" Kevin changed the subject, noticing Daisy and Edward's disgruntlement.

"We brought him with us, but he's off playing with his friends," Daisy said with resignation. Her son was so naughty and tried her patience. Luckily, this was an army base; she was not as concerned that he would stir up trouble here.

"Daisy, are you going to partake in the talent show? Did you prepare a speech or something?" Leena asked intrigued, as she had seen such an evening party on TV before, and leaders would usually take this opportunity to make a speech. Kevin had presented a fine speech earlier. Leena wondered whether Daisy would follow suit.NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.

"A speech? I know nothing but army jokes." Daisy was not one for talent shows. In such events, she was happy to participate as part of the audience, instead of performing. She suffered from stage fright and she would rather go into battle, than present a talent in front of an audience.

"Ah, but you have clearly underestimated yourself." Edward's reprise was cold.

'What a mean man! Can he still be angry because I teased him about participating in the talent show?' Daisy brooded.

"Look at Justin! He's on the stage!" Leena cried, pointing out the boy on the stage. He looked quite adorable in the mini-sized camouflage uniform.

"Damn it! What is he doing up there? Oh my god, now all the soldiers know I'm here." Daisy covered her face in embarrassment. Unlike his mother, Justin was always so enthusiastic about performing for an audience.

"Are you afraid Justin will make you lose face?" Edward asked excitedly, curious now as to what talent Justin would present to them.

"The following act will be a solo titled: Female Soldier. And the singer is our own little soldier, Justin Mu." Even before the host had finished his announcement, applause cracked out like spring thunder. Many soldiers knew Justin.

"Good evening, everyone! I'm Justin Mu and I dedicate this song to my mother, as a token of my affection and gratitude. I'm so very proud of her. And I also want to dedicate this song to all the soldiers present. Thank you for your support of her work." Young as Justin was, he had a lucid brain and knew how to blather. He didn't suffer from stage fright at all.

"Senior Colonel Ouyang, to be honest, you've taught Justin well." Edward applauded warmly, gazing fondly at the little boy on the stage, eyes full of affection. Although he always liked to tease Justin, it was his way to express his love for him.

"Just listen to the song," Daisy muttered coldly. Although she looked unperturbed, she was stirred to the core by Justin. As a soldier, she customarily hid her feelings, appearing calm and composed at all times.

Justin had a child's voice and was unable to reach the timbre of the soldiers' singing, but they were touched by his performance.

"When did Justin practice the song? It's a magnificent performance," Leena praised. If Justin had heard this, his eyes would have widened in disbelief. After all, Leena always mocked him.

"Justin likes to perform in front of people, and this is not his first performance," Kevin explained calmly. When he had been living in the army base, he had seen Justin's performances several times, though this time, Justin's performance was much better than before. Clearly, he had practiced it many times.

"Oh really? I've underestimated him." Leena stroked her belly and wondered if her child would be gifted in as many ways as Justin.

When it came to the chorus, the booming voices of the soldiers rang out to fill the hall. It was the first time Leena and Edward witnessed the camaraderie and enthusiasm of the soldiers. They finally came to understand just what real soldiers were; blood rushed through their veins in excitement.

After the party, the four of them walked along the path, while Justin was again no where to be found. Although the soldiers revered Daisy, they adored Justin even more and he was probably off, playing with them.

"So, is the party over? Why didn't you and Kevin perform?" Edward asked. He was again stirring trouble this evening.

"I was wondering, when are you planning to perform on the stage at FX International Group's party?" Daisy countered smartly. She was becoming annoyed by Edward's attitude. It was an opportunity for the soldiers to relax and have fun, and they might feel ill at ease in the officers' company.

"Are you kidding me?" Edward snapped without wavering a second. He seldom attended celebratory parties, let alone performed in public.

"Then why did you ask me such silly questions? Actually, the soldiers would feel more relaxed and comfortable without Kevin and me. Moreover, we are not guests at the party. We are here to express solicitude with the soldiers who stand on duty tonight. So, Edward why don't you hang around with Leena, for a while? Kevin and I need to visit the soldiers. Please remember, do not get close to any places bearing a boarded sign indicating Military Confinement," urged Daisy. Some soldiers were unable to join the party as they were on duty. They would feel sad and dejected tonight. As officers, Daisy and Kevin held an obligation to console them.

"If I don't get close to it, how am I supposed to know what's on the board?" Edward stared defiantly back at Daisy. He couldn't help but retort to everything she said.

"Edward Mu!" Daisy gnashed her teeth. She didn't know what possessed the man tonight, or why was he acting like a wronged woman?

"Daisy, you go fulfill your duties with Kevin now. I'll keep an eye on Edward," Leena said. She was curious to know why Edward was acting so strangely, but she knew now was not the right time to discuss it, when he was obviously still angered.

"Sure. Thank you, Leena, for your kind understanding. Someone is really acting like a spoiled child," Daisy taunted and rolled her eyes in Edward's direction. She was really becoming agitated by Edward. She wasn't interested in containing her anger anymore. This was the army base, not FX International Group; and here, she was the boss!

"Who do you think is acting like a spoiled child?" Edward demanded coldly, narrowing his eyes like a cat about to pounce.

"Daisy, let's hurry up. Otherwise we'll be late with our rounds." Kevin steered Daisy forward by the wrist, tired of their bickering now. He was, however, not concerned about leaving his wife in the company of such an angry man, because he knew Edward doted on Leena and she would calm him down.

"Edward, what happened to you tonight? You were behaving so childishly this evening." Leena pursed her lips and stopped Edward from following Daisy with a small raised hand.

"So, you are on her side?" Edward retorted, though he made no move to shake off her hand. She was pregnant, and he feared hurting her in any way. Helplessly, he watched Daisy's receding figure.

"I was simply asking. Truthfully, I am concerned about you. Even if Daisy did something wrong, you really shouldn't stir up trouble here. The army base is her domain. You could rather have a talk with her later, when you're back home." The weather in the army base was more chilled than in the city, perhaps because it was a suburban area. When the wind blew, Leena couldn't help but shiver.

"When we're back home, a talk will not suffice to calm me down," Edward said with a cunning smile as he took off his coat and without hesitation placed it around her shoulders. He had already decided that he would give Daisy a lesson, so she could remember who was the boss in the family.000000000000000