The patio doubled as the house's breakfast room. For now, it felt more like a party area due to the laughter, giggles, happy tones and the continuous stories that Diwa and Eron were telling the kids...

Of course, the one they insisted on hearing first was the accident that happened at the lumberyard that morning. It was interesting that the two adults were both telling the story in sync with each other, even finishing each other's sentences.

They weren't aware, but the young ones were. And that added to their surprise and awe as they listened to their surrogate mom and her new boarder.

"He picked me and Jack up, and I immediately checked him if he was hurt," the landlady said, as she poured her and Eron a new batch of tea. "Good thing he only had a small wound on his elbow."

"Not even a deep one, too. It was just a scratch, see," the man assured his audience as he showed them a small square of gauze and a bit of bandages on the lower part of his forearm. "Good thing Jack and your mama weren't hurt. I made sure that they were ok even before I stood up and helped them."

"Then Jack thanked him publicly and announced that he's giving Eron a bonus and the day off. So that's why we got home early."

"Well, not really that early because we ate at my camp."

"He cooked me a meal, and it was delicious."

"Well, it's not as good as all these goodies in front of me right now, though," Eron said with a hearty chuckle as he reached for another piece of apple tart.

And yes, the girls did overdo. There were chicken puffs, meat empanadas, sifferent kinds of sweet and savory pocket pies, at least a dozen cupcakes with various fruit frostings, and one large box of tea bags with a variety of flavors. You'd think they were having a small fiesta instead of tea time for five people.

Well, it did sound more like a fiesta than a small tea party...

"Oh wow! That's so amazing! So, you were the Flash when you rescued Jack and Mama Di? WOWOWOWOWOWOW!" the youngest cheered.

"And everyone was probably totally gobsmacked by you, right, Eron! I wish I was there to see that happen, hahaha!" the eldest sighed as she laughed.

"Yeah, and I bet Max is talking about how you landed on Jack and not on Diwa..."

Everyone paused and did a double-take at Macky, who was popping a cheese pastry into his mouth. They waited for him to swallow so he could explain his statement, which he did...

"What? That guy never liked anybody stealing the spotlight from him. And suddenly, a newcomer comes along and steals all the attention from everyone, including Jack and Diwana. I think you just made an enemy, Eron, but I'm just a kid, so what do I know, right?"

Everyone stayed silent for a while, still staring at Macky...

Macky then looked at everyone, acting innocent. "What? It's true, right? But I'm still wondering who Max is really into... Mama or Jack."

3, 2, 1...

The whole group around the table burst out in laughter all at the same time.

"Oh my gosh, Macky! The very idea... It's so funny, ahahaha!" the widow exclaimed, hardly able to speak.

"That makes sense! No wonder Max never said anything to mama! He's actually in love with Jack! Wahahahahaha!" gasped the youngest in between fits of giggles.

"Oh no, Eron, everybody must be thinking you're into Jack now! You chose to land on him instead of Diwana! Max is gonna be really pissed! Ahahahahaha!" Erica squealed, trying her best to stop laughing while talking and failing miserably.

"Ahahahah what the heck... Just to be clear, I didn't land on Ms. Diwa because I might hurt her doing that. At least Jack was stronger and bigger than her."

"Ohhhh, don't let anyone hear that, Eron. They're gonna say, 'Oh he chose Jack over Diwana because he's stronger and bigger!' Ahahahahaha!" the eldest retorted in the middle of her mirth.

"Don't let Jack hear that. He might fall in love with you back, Eron, hahahaha!" screeched Macky, who was now holding his stomach as he guffawed loudly.

"Oh, the gossip! Stop! No more! Hahahaha!" Diwana managed to say while laughing really hard.

"Daaaamn... You kids! I'm not into Jack, ok? Where the heck did that come from? Ahahahaha!" Eron answered back, still laughing with a slightly embarrassed tone.

"So, if you don't like Jack, that means you like my mama?"

At that point, everyone freezes once again to stare at the littlest person sitting at the table...

Katya's face was very serious as she waited for an answer from the new renter. Eron could feel his cheeks slightly burning as he scrambled through his brain for a safe, but good enough reply.

"I like Jack as a boss... And I like your mama as... A friend and landlady..."

"But you only have her as a landlady now and you were just friends yesterday, right? And do you like Jack only as a boss and not a friend?"

"Uhhh... Well..."

"It's a little complicated, baby K. Don't worry, I'll explain it to you in a bit. Meanwhile, we should clean up the table and start getting dinner ready," Erica replied, interrupting Eron, hoping to save the man from answering.

"Awww, but we were having so much fuuuuun..."

"We can have more fun later during dinner. You are going to have dinner here later, right?"

"Yes, of course, Erica. I'm just resting a bit before I go back to my camp and start packing up."

"YES! Ok, more stories over dinner later! HOORAY! Thankies, Eron!" the little girl happily stated as she clapped.

As the three children started to take away the dishes, cutlery and cups from the table, the two grown-ups decided to make more tea and just continue talking about anything that came to mind. It just felt so natural to share their thoughts with one another, they hardly noticed that the patio table was soon wiped clean, the kids were now inside the house, and they were now alone on the patio together.

"They really are something, aren't they?" Eron said with a sigh and a small smile. "They're smart, outspoken, active and very responsible for their age."

"That's very true. They do a lot of the chores here in the house because I'm also their mom, their homeschool tutor, and the provider of the family. We would still have holiday visitors before, but ever since the flu epidemic that hit us here a few years ago, we hardly get any guests up here now..."

Diwa's voice trailed off, as if her mind was suddenly filled with unwanted memories. And yes, it was the case. Eron, who could now easily tell when she was already in her memory trance, placed a hand on hers and waited for her to look at him.

When she did, he started speaking. "Erica mentioned her parents died during that plague. Now that I'm going to officially stay here with you all, I hope you don't mind if I ask again about the children's past..."

His thoughts: “And yours too, while I'm at it, since that is what's more important to me.”

It took a while before Diwana was able to begin her tale, and her voice even sounded breathless and soft...

"My husband's parents have always been focused on business. As a matter of fact, they'd go as far as treating personal issues with business-like solutions. They set up their sons' futures by building them their own homes, investing in their businesses and setting up their own insurance policies." 

Diwa then stopped, her eyes still blank and looking out into the trees. Eron tightened his hold on her hand, just to remind her that he's just there beside her. 

She mistook this as a sign to continue her story...

"Upon the death of their parents, my husband and his brother decided to put their properties and policies under an arrangement where they can pass them on to each other if they died. However, it was an unwritten agreement that the one who's alive would take care of the family members of those who passed away. Unfortunately, things don't always work out as planned..."