chapter 16:

Carlos tried not to laugh. The kids' hands were small and soft. They were tickling him, 'Oh lord this is very embarrassing and man, these kids' hands tickle!' he tried to hold up on his stern face. Mor was laughing "kids, kids, please give your uncle a break." Mor tried to remove the kids.

"Uncle is strong!" Lio gave a bright stare at Carlos.

"Do you want to see how I can break wood?" Carlos asked with a smile.

The moment Lio heard him, his eyes sparkled with excitement, giving the older man a strong node "Please!"

The children then grasped his hands and guided him to their yard. There are branches for a wood fire stored outside. The family followed them. They were going to invite him to the outside, anyway.

Carlos was equipped with the two fans he now has. They asked him to lift them up and play after the 'breaking the wood' show. Carlos could have refused, but he doesn't want to be rude, and breaking a child's heart is bad and does not fit his morals either.

The mother and grandmother smiled at the site. They were having the fun of their lives. "They would be very upset when our guest has to leave." The mother spoke in a sad tone. Nodding in agreement, the grandmother, "yes, they will."

a couple of minutes passed, and dinner was ready to be served. Mor called for them to have a seat. Carlos had Lio sitting over his shoulder, fascinated with the view while the girl was on his chest.

The adults laughed. "Enjoying with your uncle, eh?"

Lio and his sister nodded and kissed Carlos on his cheeks. He placed them back on the ground. "Come, let us wash your hands, okay?" their mother took hold of their hands and dragged them inside.

a few minutes later, everyone was seated around the table waiting for the matriarch to serve the food. She the grandmother served them various plates.

"We start with the salad and cold soup, please." She said.

Carlos gave a quick look at the bowl of soup and scooped a sponge tasting it. The Mor family waited patiently for his reaction, and each smiled when they saw the amazing face. "Did you like it, son? Does it need anything?" The mother asked.

Carlos lifted up his face from his plate and gave the family a bright smile.

'So charming!' the little girl said to herself, blushing in the process. Her mother saw it and giggled at it. She chose not to expose the crush thing. It's embarrassing for the girl. Plus, who won't have a crush on a sun-kissed, 6.10 feet long-muscle machine.

Time passed by while dining out, and their dinner opened with stories and tales giving the hosted family a joyful night. The children were super entertained to the point they passed their bedtime without a yawn.

When the wife started to clean up the table, Carlos volunteered to help and soon all wanted to help including the kids. Mor and his wife were extremely joyful their children never cared to help even if they did it was after long threats from their parents.

Mor took the opportunity to have the night walk together with Carlos but to their surprise the kids joined in.

As they were walking around the island, it was different from how Carlos thought of it before.

They stopped by the beach, they sat on a bench. There was few other people there. The thing was that it was dead silent the only sound was the ocean's waves.

Leo was on Carlos lap more like clutched to him. The summer breeze was cool enough to make the kids shiver.

Mor was walking the girl over the beach as it there ritual every day when possible.

Leo on the other hand was silent and kept taking glances at Carlos.

Closed his eyes, and Carlos felt the gazes of Leo.

The boy reminded him of himself when he was at his age. His 'father' his mentor, when he took him under his wing after that day.

It wasn't long when Mor returned to the bench and a guy started calling for hot corn cobs.

The kids immediately gave their father the look. He sighed, "want some corn my friend?"

Carlos first said no but Leo insisted that he get a one, it is very nutrious and tasty.

Mor went to the vendure and fetched them 4 big corn cops, steaming hot from the grill.

They ate in silence again. Not for long and a metior caught their attention.

"oh tonight is the night, daddy!"

"yes indeed sweet." Mor replied.

"guys make your wishes hurry before the shower ends" she said.

Nodding everyone closed their eyes and drifted in their minds making their wishes.