The old man really did go fishing. Ewan was amused, watching his old boss step into the sitting room with a basket of medium to small-sized fishes and his fishing gear.
He watched the kids rush to their father, hugging the latter and awning over the catch. He watched Ella leave her knitting, which she had been on while they had talked about the old and recent times, and hug her husband.
He watched the old boss laugh, kissing his wife and children—only for the smile to freeze on his lips when the latter saw him sitting on the longest sofa in the room with a book in his hands, one he had found somewhat interesting.
Maybe because of boredom. It wasn’t his usual read.
"Ewan."
"In flesh, and breathing," Ewan stated, getting to his feet, aware of the wife and children moving aside to watch the reunion of the two men.
The two stood still, watching each other. Ewan nursed a smile on his lips, knowing a hundred percent from his talks with Ella that this fellow in front of him was the changed, humbled version of the man he had once known—even though he looked quite the same, only older.
"Are you going to keep staring at me, boss?"
The boss kissed his teeth and looked at his wife. "Can you give us some room? Maybe take the kids to bed. Have they eaten yet?"
Ella shook her head. "We were waiting for you."
"Oh my love... well, seeing as this brat has come to see me..."
Ewan laughed, breaking whatever ice that remained in the air.
"You have to eat with the children alone. It’s already late. I will have mine later."
Ewan agreed, considering the time, considering he had texted his children to let them know that he would be coming back that day. When the time difference was put to play, he hoped that he would be back to his city in time for the cake time Athena had promised a few days ago.
Would there be a cake time, however, if the cure was yet to be found? He pursed his lips, watching Ella obey her husband, also taking the basket of fishes, while the children carried the gear.
Did the tip that Athena received cover that? And where did they stand now? Her texts might have revealed that whatever tension between them had dissolved, but you could never know with the woman.
And there were external circumstances like Antonio. Her engagement with Antonio.
"What have you tangled in knots, Ewan? What are you even doing here?" His boss’s question was enough to snap him out of his thoughts and make him realize that the latter had taken a seat on the opposite sofa.
"Boss..." Ewan started, stopping when his former boss shook his head instantly.
"Don’t call me that. Call me John. Or my baptized name, James."
Ewan’s eyes widened a fraction, unable to help the incredulity. Even Ella’s story hadn’t prepared him for this sort of change—the gentleness of John’s voice, the gentleness of the aura surrounding him, the peace in his eyes.
The latter was put up by his appearance, sure, but he wasn’t really bothered in the truest sense. Was that what peace of mind looked like? Tranquility of both spirit and soul?
"Didn’t know you loved the name James..." Ewan started, readjusting his sitting position.
John shrugged. "The reverend taught it wise, and I thought it nice to answer both names of the thunder twins."

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