The Alchemists

Ten minutes later, Nicolae and his two children already drove down the road in the man's car toward Manhattan. Altair and Vega were very enthusiastically discussing what had just happened at the police station.

"Crazy! Dean is so cool!! Did you see how pale their faces turned? Charles' father and uncle were totally gobsmacked!" Altair blurted. "They couldn't do anything."

"That's right. To avoid going to prison, Charles must instead apologize to you," Vega replied with a big smile. "Next time, if Charles giving you trouble, Dean said we just have to call him."

"Yes ... and the most exciting part is, Dean did not reveal our secrets. The people there thought Dean is our distant relative, so he came to take care of the case. Nobody would suspect anything," Altair continued. "We don't need to leave our school."

Nicolae smiled at the conversation between the twins. He was also happy because Altair and Vega could stay with him until they graduated high school as they planned. Indeed calling Terry earlier was the right decision, he thought.

The text from his best friend came in when Nicolae arrived in front of the gate of the Schneider family's massive mansion. The mansion was now occupied by Aleksis and Alaric and their younger sons. The gate automatically opened because it had recognized the car and the faces of those in it.

After parking his car, Nicolae reads the SMS from Terry.

[Dean has reported everything to me. Next time if there's anything you need, just can contact him directly. He will maintain your confidentiality.]

[Thank you. You're the best.] Nicolae immediately wrote his reply.

"Hey ... you guys arrived on time, we are preparing a picnic in the backyard," said Aleksis, who looked more beautiful by the day. Her honey-colored hair was fashioned into a simple bun on top of her head. She hugged Nicolae and kissed her two children's cheeks.

A pair of very handsome six-year-old boys with brown curls and old purple eyes immediately rushed to Nicolae. They clung their arms around their beloved uncle's neck. Even though they met Nicolae every weekend, Ireland and Scotland always acted like they hadn't seen each other for years.

"Hey ... how are you, Ireland? Scotland? What did you do today?" Nicolae asked happily as he kissed their cheeks alternately and hair of her two nieces with similar faces.

"We learned how to draw," Ireland answered in a cute tone.

"After that, we helped Mommy bake some cookies," Scotland continued.

"Wow ... that's great! I want to eat the cookies you made," Nicolae said happily.

Ireland and Scotland released their arms from Nicolae's neck and each pulled his right and left hands through the enormous living room to the backyard, which contained a beautiful lush garden and outdoor swimming pool. At the end of the garden, on a thick expanse of grass, Alaric was seen throwing a picnic blanket and arranging food and drinks for them.

"Hey, you guys have come," Alaric said. He painstakingly arranging a few glasses and syrups and cakes. Beside him were a number of reading books.

Nicolae could see how much his brother enjoyed a quiet life with his family. He was happy to see Alaric happy. Now that the two youngest children were getting older, Alaric and Aleksis were not too tired with taking care of babies, and their lives seemed happier and easier.

"It's fun to have a picnic here," Nicolae said, as he laid his body on the thick grass and closed his eyes.

Alaric just smiled at Nic's words. "The weather is very nice today."

One by one, the children joined on the picnic blanket and began pouring drinks and taking cakes and fruit. Nicolae was still lying down with eyes closed. He always loved being among his brother's family. After he got over his awkwardness with Aleksis six years ago, he was able to spend more time with them.

He loved Alaric and his adorable niece and nephews. Of course, Altair and Vega were even considered his own children because he helped raise them since they were 5. They even still call him Daddy until now.

Then there are the adorable identical twins, Ireland and Scotland. Ever since they knew how to walk and talk, they always clung to him. The four kids made Nicolae super happy. Sometimes, there was a tinge of jealousy and sadness because he had lost his unborn child six years ago.

Ahh ... that event had passed a long time ago. Nicolae could only remember Marie on his own because he did not want to make his family worry. He kept photos of Marie and Mrs. Lu in his room until today. Gradually, his sadness diminished because he spent a lot of time with Alaric's family.

Since he lost Marie and their unborn child, Nicolae rarely smiled. He seldom went out on dates, although Terry set him up with lots of pretty girls. Even at the university, countless professors and students were trying to captivate his heart. But Nicolae realized he would only be interested in dating a few women because they had physical similarities with Marie.

He was well aware, as long as it was still happening, then he still could not forget Marie and move on.

"Altair and Vega will go on a study trip to Paris after the semester exams," Aleksis said suddenly. "I am thinking of going to Paris to be with them. Do you want to come too?"

Nicolae opened his eyes and looked at Aleksis with a frown. "Is it not excessive? They are growing well now and need to experience a trip with their friends abroad. If you keep hovering around them, how can they be independent?"

"That's true," Alaric nodded. "My wife is too worried. That's all."

"They are only 16... They have never traveled on their own like that," protested Aleksis.

"Uhm ... they will not be alone. You always provide them with bodyguards to watch them everywhere," Nicolae said, shaking his head. "You don't don't want Altair and Vega to grow up being spoiled, sheltered kids, do you?"

"That's not what I mean ... I just feel more comfortable if we have some a.d.u.l.ts from among us who could watch over them," Aleksis said again.

Nicolae took out his cellphone and checked his schedule. "At the end of the month, I will have a break from teaching. I could stop by Paris before going home to Grosetto. So, I will be able to check on Altair and Vega for you guys. How about that?"

"Ahh .. do you mind? I will be very happy if you can be there for them ..." said Aleksis in a thankful tone.

"All right. In that case, I'll stop by Paris to watch them," Nicolae said. He grabbed an apple and took a bite,

They enjoyed their nice picnic for an hour, enjoying food, drinks, games, and reading books. At 6 pm, when the sun was still high in the sky, they ended their picnic. Nicolae excused himself about to visit Terry for a drink before he returned to his apartment.

Altair and Vega would stay in Manhattan until Monday when they return to school.