~4~

"Can we see Mrs. Smith now, please?" Peter asked. It was hot and humid outside. It was his mistake for not telling Cyrus the truth. As much as he trusted Mrs. Smith, he too wanted to know if the kids were safe.

The security guard nodded, opening the gate to let them through. Peter and Cyrus had too much in mind to appreciate the beautiful and fascinating view.

"Brother, Peter," someone shouted in excitement.

"Tare! Are you okay? What are you doing out here by yourself? Where are your brothers?" Cyrus asked, hugging his little sister.

"I am okay, but I got lost," she pouted. "That lady came back."

"You remember her?"

"Of course. Peter, you look so handsome today," she said, pouncing on him.

"Thanks," he smiled.

"Tare, Paws off," Cyrus warned.

"Brother!" Tara cried, "I am not a cat."

"I know all about it," he whispered.

"He doesn't know."

"You're still too young. Listen to brother, okay," Cyrus said, patting her head.

"I know," she sighed. "Peter, wait for me, okay."

"Wait for you? What is she talking about you?" Peter asked confusedly.

~~~

"Miss! Where did you go?" A young woman asked. She sighed in relief when she saw Tara.

"I got lost. Did I get you in trouble?"

"No, but you gave ma'am a scare."

"I'll apologize."

~~~

"Hello, sirs. Ma'am wants you to go inside," another young lady said in a heavy accent.

"What happened to Ty and Tim?" Peter whispered to Tara.

"No worries, they are fine," the second woman said, smiling shyly at them.

~~~

"Ma'am, they are here."

"Come sit down, my dear," she said from behind the newspaper. "A little 'Hi' wouldn't hurt."

"I am sorry. I didn't expect you to come back. And Peter didn't explain things either," Cyrus apologized. His friend grinned at him.

"Well, I see you have someone by your side," Mrs.Smith said, ultimately putting the newspaper aside.

"I didn't think you'd come back," he said, not giving much thought to what he said.

"Why is that? Do I look that irresponsible?" She smiled. "I am still the kids' guardian," she reminded him.

"Are you?"

"What do you mean?" Mrs.Smith frowned.

"I am sorry —I want to see my brothers."

"He gets worried easily, forgive him," Peter said.

"Marie, bring them over," she instructed. A while later, Tim and Tyler came down.

"Brother, you are here," Tyler signed as he slumped down next to Tara. Tim nodded at his brother before collapsing on the nearest sofa.

"Stop frowning already. We are fine," Tyler said, his eyes closed, halfway.

He coughed.

"Hey, are you okay? Do you want me to take you to the doctor?"

"I am fine. Can you stop worrying for a second?" Their brother—he was the best. They didn't want him to worry about them anymore. "We are fine," Tim reassured.

~~~

"The kids should be fine tomorrow. They stayed up late to play video games," Marie said, after accompanying the kids to their rooms. Though her accent was heavy, her voice was pleasant and soothing.

"Merci, Marie," Mrs. Smith said. (Thank you, Marie).

"De rien." (You're welcome).

~~~

"Mrs. Smith," Cyrus said, "I don't like the way—"

"I know," Mrs.Smith said. "I should have called, or I should have waited for you. The kids looked sick, and you didn't look very well yourself," she explained. "I am sorry. I wanted to come back earlier but," Mrs. Smith paused, "My husband—"

"You don't have to talk about it."

"I asked Grace. She said you moved to England. Is that where you're from?"

"I am from South Africa."

"I sent someone to look for you—I am sorry. It's so complicated. I don't know why Grace lied to me." Cyrus could see that Aunt Grace was someone that his adoptive mother cherished and trusted.

"I don't blame Aunt Grace, and I don't blame you. The kids and I are strangers to you both. Maybe she had her reasons. You both did so much for us."

Cyrus and her husband looked so alike that she had to confirm his identity. It turned out that when Lara left Dan, she was already pregnant with his child.

She didn't know how she was going to tell him the truth.

No, she couldn't have kids herself but, she couldn't hate Cyrus—he was born before Dan married her. He was not at fault.

She didn't care if people mocked her for taking care of her husband's son and his best friend's kids. She was sterile herself, and she wanted to repay his family for taking care of her husband in the past. What other people thought did not matter to her. She was unbothered.

~~~

Mrs.Smith was their adoptive mother, after all. Cyrus was not sure if it was appropriate to call her Mrs. still.

"I will come back to pick up the kids later," Cyrus said.

"No!" Marie yelled, startling Cyrus. "I am sorry. Ma'am said you guys are moving here," she clarified.

"Why didn't I know about it?" Cyrus frowned. "We have somewhere to live. It is not necessary to move here."

"This is where you guys will live now," she said. She didn't want them to go back. The house looked lively. Their boss looked remarkably happy with them being here.

"We are not. I will discuss it with—"

"Where will you live?" Peter asked.

"What do you mean?"

"Oh! Didn't you know Grace put the house on the market?"

"It sold?"

"Yeah! "Didn't you notice your stuff missing this morning?" Peter asked. He was bad news.

"And?"

"Your mother moved your stuff," he said dubiously. That guy!

"Peter! I will—"

"You don't want to live here?" Mrs. Smith asked. She was looking forward to it she didn't want to live in this big house all by herself.

"It's okay. I'll just rent an apartment to live with the kids."

She laughed. "The house is big enough. You may not want to acknowledge me. On paper, I am your mother. You've suffered those nine years. You need to rest and let people take care of you."

"You don't owe us anything. I'd feel uncomfortable living here with the kids. I haven't even thanked you yet," Cyrus said, expressing his gratitude. "You've done enough."

"You deserve a break. I have neglected you. Let me be there for you. I know people are going to judge me. They might think I did this out of folly," she whispered, her face clouded with sadness.

"We can't have kids. I accepted that faith a long time ago. I know you guys are not my flesh and blood, but I will love you unconditionally. It will not replace your parents' love, but I will do my best," she continued. Cyrus knew he needed a break; he needed someone. He wouldn't complain; he couldn't be tired. He was all they had, but he too needed someone to give him a hand.

Cyrus glanced at his friend, who was admiring a picture. He wouldn't do anything without consulting his friend first.

~~~

"What do you think?" Cyrus asked, feeling skeptical about moving.

"You have nothing to lose," Peter whispered, "You can save on rent and slowly pay back the medical fees."

"But—"

"Did your dad impregnate your mom on buts? You always got some buts. She adopted you, did she not? She meant well, but if things are not going well, you call me. I am going to have your back anytime and anywhere. She seemed sincere."

"I don't know," Cyrus sat down, thinking for a moment.

"You wouldn't know if you don't try," Peter suggested. "Give it a try, alright!"