Haru approached Sarah and Aiden and cleared his throat to get their attention.


    "Yes?", Sarah asked.


    "You asked me what I want for my 21st birthday…", he took a deep breath before continuing: "I would like an apartment. Or an ess to one. In the city."


    Sarah and Aiden exchanged nces and shared an understanding that independence for Haru is too soon. They spoke about this recently and agreed that out of all their <em>''security personnel''</em>, only Jesse is mature enough to move out (if he wants) while others need to learn and grow.


    Haru joined them about six months ago after spending most of his lifetime isted on a mountain. He is a grown young man, capable of beating up almost everyone whoes his way, but in terms of living in a modern city like Los Angeles, he can bepared to a toddler.


    "Is that a problem?", Haru asked when he saw that Sarah and Aiden are not saying anything. "You said that I can ask for anything I want."


    "Why?", Aiden observed Haru intently. "I thought that all of you are getting along well. Is there something in our home that you arecking?"


    Haru pressed his lips in a line. He didn''t mean to sound ungrateful.


    "Don''t misunderstand…", Sarah interjected. "When you turn 21, you are of age where you can live independently, and we can''t stop you even if we want to. We didn''t bring you from Master Hollow with an intention to restrict your freedom. However, we want to understand the reason for your displeasure which made you request to move away and we hope that you will consider our advice."


    Haru rubbed his chin nervously.


    "I… I am not displeased, and I don''t want to move away. I intend to stay with you and everyone else and perform my duties, but I want a ce where I can go and have my privacy when needed.", Haru said in a low voice.


    "Did you fight with N?", Sarah guessed.


    "No!", Haru responded immediately.


    "Is someone trespassing in your room?", Aiden asked Haru.


    "No."


    "Then?", Sarah continued probing.


    "He wants privacy WITH N. Correct?", Aiden guessed.


    Haru responded with a small nod.


    S nced to the side and saw N talking with Z and Ron further away. "Is that what she wants?"


    "Yes." Haru responded.


    Sarah touched her ear stud and called N toe over. This is something that should be discussed with both of them.


    "What kind of privacy are you expecting that you can''t have in your current setting?", Sarah asked when N joined them. "I can see that you are notfortable talking about this, but unless you speak up openly so that we understand the problem, we can''t help you solve it."


    A minuteter, Haru and N conveyed their wish: they want to be able to live together, to share a bedroom and a bathroom and not to be teased by others.


    "About teasing…", Aiden knows who is causing them grief. "You need to handle it regardless of where you live. If it''s not Ade and Jamari, it will be someone else. Take a stance and show that the two of you are a team and that you will not take anyone''s bullsh*t. Keep in mind that everyone has their opinion, even if it''s none of their business. It''s up to you to stand up for what you believe in."


    "And for the living arrangements…", Sarah continued. "Does it need to be outside of our property? Regardless of your age, due to the nature of our work, it is safer to stay close. Living in the city means thousands of potential eyes tracking your movements and it will be impossible to hide that you are associated with us. You know what we do and that you are exposing yourself to danger by having a routine which enemies can observe…"


    After some more talk, Haru and N left Sarah and Aiden toe up with a solution, if possible. They agreed that staying on the property is much better, but they hope to get different living arrangements.


    "Your thoughts?", Aiden asked Sarah.


    Sarah rubbed her temples whileing up with an answer.


    "My thoughts are that it''s too soon for them. But no matter how I feel about this, the fact is that Haru and N want to be together, and if we don''t help them out they will either sneak around or leave on their own and expose themselves to danger." Sarah paused while thinking about solutions. "We have suites avable for the other house staff, and two are currently not upied. We can offer them to move into one temporarily. At the same time, we can build a guesthouse with several independent apartments, and when that is done, they can move there."


    Aiden agreed and nced toward Ron and Z. "I have a feeling that in the near future we will have more couples which will request privacy."


    Ah, parenting is hard.


    Sarah leaned onto Aiden and thought how when she epted all these kids she assumed that they would study hard, go to college, stay in dorms and move on with their lives. She didn''t expect that all of them would want to stay with them, and now even couples are forming. Sarah can imagine in few years several toddlers running around on their property! But even if she knew then that this will happen, she would not change a thing.


    She is aware that the kids didn''t grow up in normal families, and no matter how dangerous their situation is, the fact is that at the Cliffside vi kids are having a taste of stability and security which they crave for. A family. She likes that.


    …


    nor patted her chest dramatically while rushing toward Jeff and JoAnna who emerged on the deck.


    nor pulled JoAnna into a hug, and Ste was right behind her, initiating a round of congrattions from everyone present.


    Jeff stood by JoAnna and grinned while shaking hands and nodding.


    The fact that he impregnated JoAnna with twins makes him ted.


    Jeff remembered their talk from the bedroom downstairs:


    "I am so potent that I make two babies in one go!"


    JoAnna did her best not tough. It is his birthday and she knows that he is happy about the news. "Yes, yes… you are the manliest man on Earth."


    "Of course! My seed quality is so good that there is a chance I just added a third one!"


    JoAnna was unable to hold back and sheughed until her tummy ached. "Please stop… you are killing me…"


    He likes that he can make his wifeugh. She shouldugh more often. Lately, all the things rted to the White family are concerning both of them. Waiting for Marcus to strike is nerve-wracking no matter how many of his attacks they predicted.


    Now he knows whyst few weeks (or is it few months?) she is moody.


    Jeff gave JoAnna a smacking kiss while ignoring people who were there to congratte them. He thought how he never had a better birthday celebration. Ah,st year his parents hosted a huge party and introduced Isabe to him. If he was not adamant on following his (then) restless heart, he would be married to Isabe! Thinking about Isabe... Jeff wondered, where is she? She was present for lunch, but now he is not sure about her whereabouts.


    ---


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