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*****
Spring break...
I didn't expect Gwen's birthday to come before the start of spring break.
Luckily, Mike had set a reminder on his phone in advance, or he might have actually forgotten about it while preparing for spring break.
This was Gwen's first birthday since she came to live with us.
Mike had prepared everything well, but Gwen said she didn't have many friends to invite and only wanted to invite Luke.
Mike agreed and asked Gwen to invite John as well, as he had prepared quite a lot of things.
On the night of her birthday, Mike made a hearty meal and served a cake he made himself, which received unanimous praise.
Thus, Gwen's birthday was celebrated simply.
Mike felt it might have been too simple, but Gwen was very happy.
Before going to bed, Gwen suddenly grabbed Mike's hand and asked, "Daddy, do you know what my wish was?"
Thinking of how seriously Gwen had made her wish just moments before, Mike shook his head and smiled. "Can you tell Daddy?"
Gwen smiled a bit shyly, then nervously said, "I wished that Daddy would never leave me."
Mike was momentarily stunned, then bent down and kissed Gwen's forehead gently. "I'll make sure that wish comes true, sweetheart."
"Let's make a pinky promise!" Gwen sat up and extended her hand, looking at Mike expectantly.
Mike extended his pinky and linked it with hers. "Time to sleep now."
"Mm-hmm!"
Gwen happily snuggled into her blanket, and after Mike left, she rolled around in the bed for a couple of turns.
...
At the end of March, Gwen's school finally started spring break.
Knowing that they were going on a trip, Gwen was so excited that she stayed up all night, and when she got up the next day, her eyelids kept drooping.
They were heading to San Francisco to visit her good friend Hank Pym and introduce Gwen to him.
This was Mike's first choice.
However, once he made the decision, he quickly became cautious.
No, I can't choose that!
If I follow my first instinct, I might run into that bad luck magnet, Coulson.
So, Mike pulled out a map and let Gwen randomly point to a place.
Gwen closed her eyes and pointed.
The Pacific Ocean...
Father and daughter exchanged awkward glances.
Gwen closed her eyes again and pointed.
Miami.
"Perfect, we'll go there!"
With that, the two of them embarked on an impromptu trip.
Once on the plane, Mike quickly glanced around.
No sign of Coulson. Perfect!
Mike smiled.
They had boarded the plane right on schedule, and no one else was behind them.
Mike and Gwen settled into their seats, and after the plane took off, with no sign of Coulson, he quietly sighed in relief.
"Daddy, what's wrong? Are you afraid of flying?"
Seeing Mike looking nervous since they left home, Gwen curiously asked.
"It's nothing." Mike smiled and pretended to be scared, teasing Gwen, "Yeah, it's really scary. You need to protect your daddy!"
Gwen giggled, waving her little hand dramatically, saying, "Don't worry, I, Gwen, am the most loyal. I've got your back, Daddy."
Mike looked at Gwen with a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth.
Little Miss Tough Gwen?
Mike rubbed his forehead. "When we get back, Gwen, you can choose a hobby class. Dance or play the piano?"
"I want to learn how to fight!"
Gwen struck a pose, making a noise and wiping her thumb across her nose.
"Um... let's wait until you're a little older for that."
"Why?"
Gwen looked up with her big, innocent eyes at Mike.
Because I don't want you to become Big Sister Gwen, the Dragon Nine Marks...
Mike cleared his throat and asked, "So, tell me, why do you want to learn to fight?"
"Because it will make me stronger, and then I can protect you, Daddy, and protect others."
Hearing this answer, Mike felt warmth in his heart.
"Do you really want to learn?"
"Of course!"
Gwen nodded enthusiastically.
"What kind do you want to learn?"
"Are there different kinds?"
Gwen stared at him, surprised. "Isn't it all about using your fists to punch people in the face?"
"Haha!"
Mike laughed, gently rubbing Gwen's nose. "We'll take our time to choose when we get back. But Daddy thinks you don't really need to learn fighting."
"Why not?"
"Because Daddy and your brother will protect you."
"But I want to protect you both too!" Gwen clenched her tiny fist and cuddled Mike's arm, whining, "Daddy~~"
"Alright, alright." Mike nodded helplessly, affectionately patting Gwen's head. "But you can't skip your lessons, and you need to pick an extra hobby class. We'll alternate between the two."
"No problem!"
Gwen happily nodded, making little fist pumps in front of her, and mimicking amusing sound effects with her voice.
The passengers sitting nearby smiled at Gwen.
Gwen's face turned red, and she obediently sat still.
A few minutes later, Gwen, who had stayed up all night, started nodding off and eventually fell asleep on the seat.
Mike chuckled, shaking his head. He requested a small blanket and gently covered Gwen with it.
...
Miami, with its pleasant climate, is one of the most densely populated cities in the country.
It used to be the city with the highest murder rate in the country. Back in the days of the Assassin Alliance, Mike had worked here a few times.
Sunshine, beaches, and lighthouses—those were the memories Miami left Mike with.
Mike and Gwen got off the plane and took a taxi to the hotel they had booked in advance.
As they sat in the car, Gwen wiped the corner of her mouth, her face grimacing. "Daddy, why didn't you wake me up?"
She must have looked ridiculous, drooling all over herself.
"Because it was too cute."
Mike smiled, but Gwen puffed up her cheeks and huffed, "Dad, you have no loyalty!"
Mike was taken aback, then smiled and tapped Gwen lightly on the head.
Soon, the taxi arrived at the hotel.
Standing in front of the hotel, Mike felt in a great mood since he hadn't run into any bad luck.
It seemed his decision to let Gwen choose the destination was...
"Hey! Mike! What are you doing here?"
Suddenly, a strange voice sounded behind Mike.
Mike froze.
No way! No way!
Mike quickly grabbed Gwen and said in a low voice, "You've got the wrong person."
Can you believe this? How is this even possible?
Is this guy somehow tied to my vacation plans?
Did he predict my prediction?
"Can't be mistaken."
Coulson immediately stepped in front of Mike.
This is his lucky star, how could he be mistaken?
"I'm Coulson!"
Coulson pointed at himself and flashed a bright smile at Mike.
Mike took a deep breath and nodded. "Your hairline's even higher now. I almost didn't recognize you."
"Haha!"
Coulson laughed happily.
Mike forced a smile. "What are you doing here?"
"Forget it! Don't bother answering!"
Mike quickly interrupted Coulson, saying, "It's... uh, great to see you, but forget it, I'll see you later."
With that, Mike hurriedly pulled the curious Gwen into the hotel.
(End of chapter)