As they finished eating, Ethan, Jordan, and Mark began discussing their accommodations for the night.

They had found a nearby hotel online, just ten minutes from Jessica’s house, and were prepared to head there once they wrapped up dinner.

As they shared their plans, Julie smiled and spoke up.

“Oh, that’s silly!” she said. She waved her hand toward them. "Why do you guys want to waste money? Just stay here. We've plenty of space here."

"Besides, it had been years since the last time we had guests," Julie added.

“Are you sure, Julie?” Ethan asked. “We're okay with staying at the hotel since Jessica surely wants to spend time with you guys.”

Julie laughed and put her hands on her hips. “Don’t say that. With or without you guys, she could still spend her time. No more negotiation. You guys are staying here.”

Jessica grinned. “Looks like you’re stuck with us for the night.”

Jordan, ever the opportunist, leaned back with a smirk. “Well, if you insist, Julie. Who am I to refuse such a warm invitation?”

Mark simply nodded, his calm demeanor unchanged, though he seemed to appreciate the offer.

Julie clapped her hands together, clearly delighted. “Wonderful! I’ll show you to the rooms in a bit.”

The house was more spacious than they expected. After lunch, Julie proudly showed them around.

The house has six bedrooms. The twins, Josh and Joshua, chose the basement for their room. They made it their space with a small entertainment setup.

Julie sleeps in the master bedroom, and Jessica has her own room upstairs. Jessica's room has a mix of childhood items and modern decorations.

Harold's room is on the ground floor, near the living room, so he can move around easily. He mostly stays in his room because of his condition.

“We still have three spare rooms,” Julie said, pointing to the doors upstairs. “They aren’t large, but they’re comfortable.”

She opened one door to show a cozy room with a neat bed, a small desk, and a window facing the garden. The other two spare rooms are similar in size and layout.

Jordan peered inside, nodding in approval. “This is more than comfortable.”

Ethan smiled. “This is more than enough, Julie. Thank you.”

Julie patted his arm warmly. “You’re welcome, Ethan. Now, you boys get settled in. Just ask me if you need anything.”

The three of them then carried their belongings upstairs. Ethan let Jordan and Mark choose their rooms first. However, Mark insisted that Ethan and Jordan choose first.

Jessica lingered near the hallway, watching as they got comfortable.

“Thanks for staying,” she said softly. “It means a lot to me… and my mom. Besides, I'm feeling at ease with you guys here, especially after what happened.”

Ethan paused in the doorway of his room and offered her a reassuring smile. “It’s no trouble, Jessica. We’re happy to be here.”

Jordan, already sprawled out on his bed, called out from his room. “And let’s be honest, the food was a huge bonus.”

Jessica laughed, the tension of the day finally easing. For the first time in a while, her house felt full of life again.

Ethan, Jordan, and Mark had changed into more comfortable attire, swapping their formal city clothes for simpler outfits better suited to the relaxed atmosphere of Jessica’s home.

Ethan wanted to check his system notifications and do some upgrades, but he decided to wait until he had more free time.

They gathered in the cozy living room. The room felt warm and welcoming, with its comfortable, slightly worn furniture. A faint scent of lavender filled the air.

Family photos on the walls showed special memories, giving the space a sense of history. Julie and Jessica were in the kitchen at that time.

As they talked, they heard a door creak open. An older man stepped out of the hallway. He moved carefully but had a quiet strength.

Harold Moore was fifty-six this year and an ex-carpenter. His strong build shows that he has worked hard physically, even though age and illness have made him a bit thinner.

He has broad shoulders and calloused hands, showing he has spent his life working with wood and tools. Deep lines mark his weathered face, a result of many years of hard work and life experiences.

His gray-streaked hair was combed back neatly. His warm brown eyes showed kindness. Although he walked slowly and seemed a bit tired, he held himself with dignity that earned respect.

“Ah, so these are the guests Jessica brought home,” Harold said, his voice deep and rich, with a hint of a rasp that only added to his charm.

He leaned lightly on the doorframe for support, a small but warm smile spreading across his face.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

Ethan stood first, extending his hand as Harold approached. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Moore. I’m Ethan,” he said before helping Harold to walk.

Harold’s grip was firm, his calloused hand engulfing Ethan’s in a handshake that spoke of strength despite his condition. “The pleasure’s mine, Ethan. And please, call me Harold. No need for formalities here.”

Jordan stepped forward next, his trademark grin in place. “I’m Jordan. And can I just say you’ve got a wonderful home here?”

Harold chuckled, a sound that was both hearty and reassuring. "Thank you, young man. It’s a small place, but it feels like home. Julie told me you all have big appetites, so I’m happy it’s being used well."

Mark nodded politely as he stepped forward. “Mark. It’s an honor to meet you, Harold.”

Harold looked at Mark thoughtfully. “You seem like someone who has experienced a lot,” he said with a smile. “I’m glad you’re here, son.”

Mark gave a slight bow of his head. “Thank you, sir.”

Harold eased himself into a well-worn armchair near the center of the room, gesturing for the others to sit. “So, tell me, boys. What brings you to this quiet corner of the world? City folk like you must find it a bit too slow-paced here.”

Ethan smiled and said, “It was unplanned. My mom knew Jessica was coming back here, so she told me to drive her.”

"Your mom? Wait… Are you..." Harold asked playfully.

Ethan felt embarrassed because he understood what Harold was implying. "Wait. Wait! We have nothing going on at the moment."

"At the moment? So you have a plan?" teased Jordan.

They all burst into laughter, and even Mark couldn't help but chuckle.

Harold nodded a broad smile on his face. “Well, she’s our princess. As her grandfather, I will certainly be strict about her choices.”

"But... if it’s you, Ethan, I'll gladly consider it." Harold laughed, his voice filling the room with warmth.

Jordan leaned forward, clearly captivated by Harold’s charisma. “She’s really fortunate to have someone like you looking out for her. And now there’s this guy over here.”

Harold smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “You’re right, Jordan. Julie just told me about all of you, and I’m glad she has such wonderful friends.”

“Now, don’t let this old man keep you boys from relaxing. But if you’re interested in hearing a story or two about the town—or some of Jessica’s childhood antics—I’m your guy,” Harold said with a grin.

The group laughed together and enjoyed each other's company as they got ready for an evening of good conversation and stronger connections.

Harold’s presence made everyone feel more grounded, highlighting the strength that comes from living a good life.

The sound of the front door opening caught their attention. Two identical boys walked into the house, their faces red from running around.

They were dressed in matching sports gear and backpacks slung over their shoulders.

Josh and Joshua—Jessica’s twin younger brothers—looked every bit like high-energy teenagers, though exhaustion was clear in their posture. Despite this, their faces lit up when they noticed the group in the living room.

“We’re back!” Josh called out, his voice carrying a cheerful tone as he waved.

Joshua followed, his grin wide. “Sorry. We didn’t know we’d have company.”

Harold, seated in his armchair, greeted them warmly. “There you are, boys. How was training?”

“Exhausting,” Josh replied, plopping his backpack onto the floor. “But good.” He turned to Harold, his tone softening. “How’re you feeling, Grandpa?”

Joshua chimed in, “Yeah, you look good today. Did you rest well?”

Harold’s face softened at their concern, his smile gentle. “I’m doing just fine, boys. Don’t you worry about me.”

The twins nodded in unison before turning their attention to the guests. Their curious gazes flicked between Ethan, Jordan, and Mark.

“Hi, I’m Josh,” one of them said as he stepped forward and offered his hand. “Nice to meet you.”

“And I’m Joshua,” the other added, following suit. “Thanks for visiting our humble home.”

Ethan shook their hands, smiling at their polite demeanor. “Ethan. It’s a pleasure to meet you both.”

Jordan grinned as he shook their hands. “Jordan. And I’ve gotta say, you two make me feel like I’m seeing double.”

Mark nodded, his handshake firm but polite. “Mark. Nice to meet you.”

The twins exchanged a quick look before spotting Jessica walking toward them. Their exhaustion seemed to vanish instantly as their faces broke into identical grins.

“Jess!” they shouted together as they ran over to her. They hugged her tightly, and their laughter filled the room.

Jessica laughed, trying to keep her balance. “Alright, alright, you two! You’re all sweaty. Let me breathe.”

“But we missed you!” Josh said, pulling back slightly, though his grin remained.

“Yeah,” Joshua added, “it’s been ages since you visited. How’ve you been?”

Jessica smiled warmly, ruffling their hair playfully. “I’m good. What about you two? Staying out of trouble?”

“Of course,” Josh said with mock seriousness before adding, “Well, except for football.”

Jessica raised an eyebrow. “What’s wrong with football?”

Joshua sighed, his shoulders slumping. “We’ve been substitutes the whole year. Coach says we need to work on a few areas before we can make the first team.”

Josh nodded in agreement. “Yeah. It’s frustrating, but we get it. We just need to get better.”

That was when Jordan leaned forward, his grin widening mischievously. “You two want to get better at football? Need tips to step up your game?”

The twins nodded eagerly.

“Well,” Jordan said, pointing a thumb at Ethan, “you’re in luck. This guy right here? He’s your man. Knows all about being the best on the field.”

Ethan blinked, caught off guard. “Jordan, what are you—”

“Oh, don’t be modest,” Jordan cut him off, leaning back dramatically. “Back in school, Ethan was a beast on the field. Captain of the team, MVP, you name it. If anyone can help you get off the bench, it’s him.”

Josh and Joshua’s eyes lit up, their expressions a mix of awe and excitement. “Seriously?” Josh asked, turning to Ethan. “You played football?”

Ethan scratched the back of his head, shooting Jordan a pointed look before nodding. “Yeah, I played a bit in high school. But Jordan’s exaggerating—”

“Don’t listen to him,” Jordan interrupted with a wink. “He’s being humble. Trust me, you’ll want his advice.”

Jessica crossed her arms, a smirk tugging at her lips. “I didn’t know you played football, Ethan.”

Ethan chuckled, "Just a little bit during high school. Nothing much."

"As I said, you shouldn't listen to him. That was all humble brag. He was scouted by a professional club, Novan United FC, but he rejected their offer," Jordan interjected.

The boys were shocked to hear that. Novan United was a powerhouse in Arland, one of the top teams in the league.

"Really? Why did you turn them down, Ethan?" Jessica asked.

Everyone was eager to hear what had actually happened.

Ethan sighed, realizing he was cornered. “It was an unclear path if I chose to play football. With one serious injury, you're finished. That’s what I thought at the time."

"That’s why I accepted a scholarship and entered university," continued Ethan.

"Still, you were offered a chance to play for Novan United FC! That means you must have some talent. Please! Teach us!" begged the twins.

Ethan chuckled before responding, "Alright, alright. If you two are serious about improving, I can give you a few pointers.”

The twins exchanged excited looks, their energy renewed. “That would be amazing!” Joshua said.

“Yeah, thanks, Ethan!” Josh added. “We’ll do whatever it takes.”

"How about we play this evening? There's a football field nearby," suggested Josh.

Ethan nodded. It had been a while since he last kicked a ball, and since he was here, he should make the most of it.

Harold chuckled, watching the lively interaction. “Well, it seems like you’ve got a new mentor, boys.”