It happened one day after an early dinner.

John and Valentine were in a room on the first floor and putting together a thousand piece puzzle. The German Shepherd, Max, and the Golden Retriever, Thunderbolt, were dozing on the floor near the fireplace. In fact, it was a moment of peace. The two were quietly solving a puzzle.

“Valentine!”

The quiet room suddenly became noisy; and the voice of a woman, searching for Valentine, could be heard from afar. Valentine’s face shone with excitement. When he saw John’s confused expression, he said with a big smile.

“It’s mom, John!”

“…Mom?”

“Are you in here?”

A tall and thin woman appeared at the entrance of the room, the sound of her high heels clacking against the floor. She was a beauty, delicate and splendid. The moment she saw Valentine, she knelt with open arms.

“Valentine, I missed you!”

“Mother!”

Valentine ran quickly and wrapped his arms around her. The woman holding Valentine rubbed her face against his cheeks.

“My little devil! You’ve grown a bit since I saw you, haven’t you?”

“Are you kidding me again? I haven’t grown anything, don’t lie.”

“Hahaha.”

John, who got up, staggered awkwardly. It was because he felt that he didn’t need to be there, and that he should not be in front of such an emotional meeting.

“Oh? You are here.”

The woman, who had been kissing Valentine’s cheeks for a while and flattening his hair, just noticed John’s presence. The woman slowly stood up and approached him. John grabbed the puzzle piece in his hand and avoided her gaze. The woman spoke softly while gazing at his face. 

“Ah, you are John, Ryan’s son.”

“…Hello, Mrs. Lindbergh.”

“Mrs. Lindbergh?”

The woman laughed and shook her head, as if it were amusing.

“It’s very difficult to say Mrs. Lindbergh. My name is Grace. I would like you to call me Mother, but you might feel uncomfortable, right? Just call me Grace.”

“…yes, Grace.”

Grace held out her hand, introducing herself. John nodded as they clasped their hands. Grace exaggerated a sigh as she held John’s hand.

“This really is an adult issue.”

“Pardon?”

“Ryan’s future was far more controlled than he realized, and he knew that he would mess up and have an ‘accident’ someday,  but I didn’t know he already had. In the meantime, did he really leave you all alone? A man who lives without thinking about others, he is a very selfish and stressful person, isn’t he?”

“…”

“I’m so sorry for what happened to you. How difficult it must have been for you. I may not be able to understand all your pain, but you will get over it in time. Anyway, I’m glad I didn’t leave you alone. Nice to meet you.”

It was totally different from what he had expected. Maybe she was cool. Meanwhile, John bowed his head, his humor uncomfortable.

“You mustn’t avoid looking at me, John.”

Grace grabbed John’s chin, with gentle force. Then he looked closely at her face. John tore his eyes away from her persistent gaze. Grace laughed at John, grinning widely.

“You happen to be pretty too?”

Like mother, like son. Suddenly, his first meeting with Valentine came to mind and John laughed. Then Valentine tugged on Grace’s necklace and told her in a sincere voice.

“Mom, don’t say that to John. He said he hated that.”

“But what should I tell someone who looks pretty?”

At that moment, Grace ignored Valentine’s words, and sincerely grabbed John’s cheeks.

“Don’t touch him like that. John doesn’t like to be touched.”

Valentine, who pulled Grace away from John, held onto her tightly, enforcing John’s words. Grace raised her eyebrows and looked alternately at her son and John, who had an embarrassed look.

“Hmm.”

As if she understood everything, Grace looked at John with a mischievous smile. Then, with one hand, she pushed Valentine’s forehead.

“This guy, you must have taken quite a shine to him.”

“…Quite so.”

“But Valentine also needs a brother who can teach him polite manners because he’s a selfish guy. What can you do? Could you say something to this cheeky kid?”

“Eh?”

“If you act bad with a woman, they can misunderstand you.”

He had thought that Valentine was the only one with that jovial spirit, but when Grace appeared, he observed that she had a very similar personality. John literally felt something coming from his soul. Nodding as soon as possible, Grace smiled brightly and lightly patted John’s head. Then when she looked into his eyes she said softly.

“Anyway, welcome to my family, John.”