And following that...
Rose: Oh, umm... Mrs Hunter?
Julianne: Oh it's alright, you kids have your fun. I don't mind.
Rose: Ok then.
She then promptly went back to sharing and comparing food with the rest.
It was nice to know that Rose cared, but that wasn't what had enamored Julianne Hunter the most. The answer to that, in fact, lay with her own son, Max.
While it was an odd thing to consider, this was the first time Max had had friends over for as long as she could remember. At least, since they'd reached Earth.
And so, to her, it was quite odd seeing the house so lively. But even more, she was surprised at how easily it had happened and at how well her son was handling it.
In a way, her heart settled even more. Maybe this was the right decision.
She couldn't help but simply watch him with a silent joy in her heart.
And before long, the five teens had each taken a bit of each others' food and were all almost done with their own plates.
Max: Maaaaaaan that was gooooooooood!
Rose: Uh huh.
Ken: Agreed.
Luke: Yeah.
Tiffany remained silent.
As for the mood in the room, it had become a lot more jovial.
Julianne: (giggle) I guess thats what Gustavo meant when he said that pizza was made specially for you.
Max: Yeah....
He wrapped his hands behind his head and smiled. Good ol' Gustav....
Rose: Gustavo is a really great chef. I really liked his pizza, too!
Julianne: Mmm, hmmm. He was the best of the best back in the day. Still is even today. Why... they say he can make anything.
Rose: Really?
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Julianne: Mmm, hmm. I've seen him toss ice cream into an oven and meat straight into a blender and still come out with some amazing food.
Rose: No way, really?!
Julianne: Mmm, hmm.
While Julianne and Rose continued their conversation, something suddenly occurred to Ken.
Ken: (thinking: Now that I think about it, Max is actually related to an actress. And a successful one at that.)
Ken's eyes fell on Max, as he nonchalantly reclined on his chair.
Ken: (thinking: Hmmm. The fact that it's hard to remember that... Well... he is still full of surprises, I see.)
And in the meantime...
Julianne: Although.. he's always busy, so he said he couldn't come say hi.
Rose: Awwwww... I'd really wanna meet him.
Julianne: Oh, it's ok, Rose. Tell ya what, next time he shows up, I'll let you know.
Rose: You will?
Julianne: Absolutely!
To say that the sight was quite peculiar to Tiffany, Luke, and Ken would be an understatement.
Just how on Earth did those two get along so quickly?
Was it some kind of alien thing?
The thought perturbed them for quite a while....
Julianne: Oh, I almost forgot.
She turned to the rest of the teens as though to garner all of their attention.
Julianne: Did you kids enjoy your meal?
Max: Yeah
Rose: Uh huh.
She answered with a giddy smile.
As for the other three....
Luke: Yes, ma'am. It was amazing.
Ken: Ditto.
Tiffany: Yes. Thank you, Mrs Hunter.
Although at that point, Tiffany was pinching her right hand.
This time, the three of them had answered much faster and a lot more freely.
Julianne felt a little weight leave her shoulders.
These three had become more comfortable around her. Not perfectly comfortable, but progress was progress.
In fact, even the air of the room had changed to a more relaxed tone.
Relaxed enough that Julianne decided to make a comment.
Julianne: You kids want refills?
She said this while motioning towards her own glass of juice.
Max: Sure.
Rose: Oh, yes! Absolutely!
Luke, Ken, and Tiffany shared a glance for just a moment before...
Luke: Sure...
Ken: Yes, I suppose that wouldn't hurt.
And as for Tiffany, who took a moment longer to answer....
Tiffany: Yeah.
Julianne: Great
She got up and started towards the fridge to get yet another jug.
And once she'd left the table...
Luke reclined, taking a load off, much to Rose's amusement.
Rose: (giggle) Luke, you look so full!
Luke: (chuckle) Oh yeah, I guess I do.
Ken: We're all really full.
Max: Yeah....
And Julianne returned with the jug, and began to fill their cups up, one by one from Ken to herself.
Rose: How about you, Tiff?
Tiffany: I'm... fine...
And at that point, Julianne was finally done filling up their glasses as well as her own and had returned to her seat.
This was about the point at which the teens had begun to try to recollect what would have to happen next.
The fact of the matter was... they were still very uneasy around this woman. In fact, while their hearts were more at ease, it was Julianne returning to her seat that returned them to their previously more cautious behaviour.
Julianne noticed this.
Julianne: (thinking: I see. They still need one little nudge.)
As for the question.... it was simple. In fact, the question was the same for both teens and mother.
What now?