It was only a week after Ivy was discharged and she was missing Jeremy very much. Though she had tried to reach out to him, she kept getting rejections for her to visit and she began to wonder if she was right about her instinct of him colluding with the old ones to keep her away from too many responsibilities.

  All she did was attend boring law lectures and she purposely traveled to and fro her home or the Rahi’s home just to get closer to the boys while Ray was recuperating in bed from his fever with Hazel overlooking him.

  Ivy had already visited the orphanage, but she could only look at those poor little souls guiltily. She was still waiting for Charles's will to be announced in a couple of days, as the family had been alerted by the lawyer that it was mandatory for Ivy to be in the audience.

  While she gazed at the dim sky, taking a break from her coursework, she heard little scurries entering her room from the creak of her small door opening. She turnaround to see Jonathan sniffing with a pale face.

  “Vivi Tie Tie…” He broke down calling her Auntie Vivi which reminded her he must have heard Jeremy call her nickname before else Jonathan was really a descendant of Jeremy to name her the same nickname as she opened up her arms to welcome him.

  “Hey, Jon Jon… What’s wrong? It’s alright… It’s alright…” She comforted him as he ran into her arms. She carried him onto her bed and covered him with her blanket over his head.

  Jonathan wrapped his arms around her waist while heavy footsteps were heard from the main door.

  “Ivy?” Ray called out as he entered her room. “Is… Oh…” Ray saved his question when he saw Jonathan was in her arms.

  “Does this happen very frequently?” Ivy questioned as she sighed. Ray who sat by the bedside as he nodded.

  “We tried to help him feel safe and all but the nightmares just wake him…” Ray explained as Ivy sighed while gently rubbing Jonathan’s back who seemed to have calmed down.

  “Phyllis?” Ivy suggested as Ray nodded. “He is still in an early stage of therapy and Hazel is too.“ Ray informed.

  “Good… Keep it up for both of them…” Ivy comforted as Ray wanted to lift open the blanket but Ivy stopped him.

  “It’s alright… Let him try sleeping with me tonight?” Ivy suggested as Ray nodded and kissed her forehead. “Goodnight sis…” He said before leaving her room.

  “Goodnight…” She mumbled as she felt Jonathan began to tickle her.

  She giggled as she lifted the blanket. His gaze began to relax as he smiled seeing Ivy giggle. Ray stood outside of her room and eavesdropped.

  “You’re alright now?” She asked while cupping his face which resembled Jeremy’s. He nodded and wanted to snuggle with her.

  “Auntie Phyllis will help you to kill all the bad guys in your nightmares alright? Just make sure you always visit her…” Ivy advised as Jonathan nodded.

  “I miss you…” He mumbled which touched both Ivy’s and Ray’s hearts.

  He smiled and left them alone noticing Hazel was awake and was in front of his room door looking for him. He walked over and comfortably led her to bed. Over the past few days, he noticed she was a very light sleeper and was not used to sleeping alone.

  “You have just recovered…” Hazel wanted to start her nags when Ray pulled her in for a kiss, sending her blushing a little as she began to get used to his gentle coaxing.

  “I know… Little Jon woke again and is with my sister.” He updated as he watched Hazel’s worried face turn relaxed.

  “Don’t worry too much… Get some good rest. We should let them bond a little.” Ray pulled the blanket up on her as she snuggled with him. A part of him was grateful for their progress though a part of him was still uncertain where their relationship would lead but he knew he was on the right path.

  “Can’t sleep?” Ivy asked as Jonathan nodded and an idea popped up.

  “Why don’t we go for my fishing trip now? Together?” Ivy suggested which surprised Jonathan who just followed her as she sneaked him out with a blanket and her car keys as she had already packed all the necessities earlier.

  Next thing they knew, she was already setting up the tent in the early morning. She had been fishing more often lately due to the calming effect. Jonathan snuggled comfortably next to her inside the tent but he was a little on the edge due to the jungle surrounding reminded him of the past while waiting for their rod cast to trigger.

  Ivy noticed his restlessness as she distracted him with the view of the sky. “Look…” She pointed as Jonathan looked up at the tiny blinking stars.

  “Your daddy used to bring me down to your grandma’s house basement and watch the sky from there. Back then it was raining and I didn’t have the chance like you to see the stars…” Ivy explained as he began to smile.

  Stolen story; please report.

  “Mummy Hazel said the brightest star shining is my mummy in heaven…” His innocent words drove Ivy to blink furiously to stop her tears from falling.

  “I’m sure she misses you too and is very proud of her baby boy…” Ivy comforted as he eased deeper into her hug.

  “Are you still afraid of the jungle, Jon Jon?” She asked while the crickets were getting louder.

  “Just a little. When it’s noisy I worry bad people come…” He pouted as Ivy gently rubbed his head.

  “Remember the bear you brought along back then?” Ivy asked as he nodded.

  “From now on, whenever you’re afraid, hug it and try to think it's me you're hugging. When I'm around, you can come and find me to sleep together alright?” Ivy offered as Jonathan frowned.

  “Can I dress the bear in your shirt?” He asked skeptically as Ivy giggled. “Why?” She asked.

  “Cause bear bear smells different…” He explained innocently and Ivy instantly knew the boy was accustomed to her body fragrant. She could tell it was probably because of the experience they had. It was a point she reminded herself to speak with Phylis further.

  As she nodded, he instantly clapped his hand. “When can I see Daddy, Vivi Yiyi?” He asked happily as Ivy swallowed the lump in her throat which hurt but smiled a little at her new nickname.

  “Don't worry we can always get Daddy Ray to check for us. You still have Vivi Yiyi, Mummy Hazel, and Daddy Ray with you alright?” Ivy tried comforting her as she knew he missed Jeremy too.

  “Vivi Yiyi, do you like my daddy?” Ivy chuckled at his question before nodding, knowing it was hard to lie to the very understanding boy.

  “Then will you be my mummy like mummy Hazel?” His innocent question once again took Ivy by surprise as she snuggled closer to him.

  “I don't know yet. We shall wait for your daddy and see how by then.” She tried to change the topic by distracting him to the view of the sky when their rod triggered and Ivy excitedly reeled in a small fish.

  “Here, quickly touch it, Jon Jon!” She excitedly urged him as he tried and giggled at the squirmish feeling. “Alright, we shall release it back to the pond again,” Ivy said before releasing as Jonathan frowned.

  “But why?” He asked. “It’s still small. Let it grow bigger and by then it would be better.” Ivy explained as Jonathan shrieked happily while Ivy placed the rod by her side and gave him some wet wipes.

  “Was it fun?” She asked as he nodded while yawning.

  “Aww… Let’s sleep for a bit and fish again when we wake up?” She suggested as he snuggled with her.

  “Vivi Yiyi, does it mean since I am small like the baby fish I will not be hurt?” He asked trying to understand her theory earlier as Ivy hummed in acknowledgement before peeping to see him drifting asleep in her arms finally at ease.

  Not long after in the morning, they were greeted by very strong rays of sunlight as Ivy woke and was about to curse only to see Ray and a few other familiar figures outside. She did not bother to check on them all as she knew trouble was brewing and she was not ready to face them. She dragged the blanket over her and Jonathan who was still snuggling with her.

  “Ivy, wake up. You're in trouble.” Ray urged solemnly but Ivy ignored him before he signalled the rest to pack up as she felt the both of them, Jonathan and her were lifted in a blanket bundle by two people.

  Ivy groaned when she found herself in the six-seater car where not just Ryu and Jin were on board but also Nick and Real.

  “What a bummer to be in a family with gangster history…” Ivy lamented in her mumbles as she rolled her eyes.

  “Oh, Marcel and Chiang are behind in another car…” Ray informed her as she rolled her eyes in annoyance again.

  “You're committing a heavy crime, Ms. Rebel. Sleep in and think about what you're going to do.” Ray let her snuggle into his arm while Jonathan was in his other arm not letting go of Ivy’s finger. It made her smile knowing last night had given the little boy some comfort.

  Later that day in the evening, Ivy sat by the balcony of her family house. Peter was resting in his room after a furious mid-day lecture with Ivy.

  Ryu was upstairs in the music room. Ivy could hear several happy resolved notes from the piano coming from upstairs but she was too exhausted to move to tease her little brother with any new tricks. Her mind drifted at the thought of how her youngest future sister in law doing.

  She sat with a blank mind after a while as she took in the beauty of the pool reflection on the mezzanine floor while twirling with her bracelet. She still sees the shimmering pink hues while fiddling with her infinity necklace from Jason. They all reminded her of him and her mother but nothing reminded her of Jeremy. She lamented at the fact that the engagement ring she had was kept by Daisy as she felt it was only right to do so.

  Ray sneaked up on her before sitting beside her and drawing her into his hug. She wanted to protest but she was too tired. Instead, his warm embrace sends her eyes almost closed.

  “Thanks for staying alive.” She said fighting to not fall asleep.

  “You too.” He said as he meant it with a short pause.

  “It must have been tough that dad puts you on house arrest though you meant well last night with little Jon.” Ray teased which sent Ivy chuckling.

  “Look at you, a man of few words usually and now is a father of two.” She teased in return as their gaze met.

  “I always knew you were the better older one though we were differentiated by age and I had to be the oldest. You have that sense… That charisma I lack.” Ivy praised as Ray smiled.

  “That's very flattering. Now, what are you going to do about the house arrest? You might be banned from having the kids sleeping with you unless you produce flying color results in your upcoming exam.” He swept her compliment aside but she held his hand instead.

  “I really mean it. I'm glad these strong arms are here enveloping me again. I really thought…” Her words trailed off as tears threatened to fall only to be pulled back into his embrace as her face found his chest and she silently listened to his heartbeat for a few seconds to comfort herself.

  Flashes of the bombing, explosions, and panic crossed her mind as she gripped tightly to his shirt, forcing herself to shove the terrifying memories aside.

  “I know. I know… I was wondering when you started having feelings for Jeremy.” Ray tried distracting her.

  She pulled away from his chest and sighed as she looked at the reflection of the pool again being reminded of his rejections for her to visit.

  “It’s a tough question. We were entangled between a facade and a common enemy. It seemed he was the one who had fallen first.” She calmly explained.

  “When did you figure it out?” Ray asked curiously.

  “When I figure who was the culprit and what he did all these while…” She leaned into his chest to hide her tears but he knew as he felt the wetness on his shirt. He patted her back to comfort her.

  “What about Nick? I heard there were some kisses. Does Jeremy know?” Ray could not help but tease her to change the mood as she smiled rubbing away her tears.

  “That was a mistake... It happened too fast at the beginning when it was so confusing... Hazy… Guilty…” Ivy laughed which made Ray smile and patted her head.

  “Then?” He coaxed further.

  “Then the rest was history…” She said nonchalantly.

  “Oh, come on tell me about Jeremy?” He urged as Ivy chuckled.

  “Why don’t you tell me about Hazel? What’s going on?” Her turn to tease him.

  “Just going with the flow…” He shrugged.

  “If it’s too harsh maybe I should…” She wanted to offer to take over the custody of the boys but Ray stopped her knowing she was not ready.

  “No, it isn’t. We promised you to take all the time you want…” He reminded.

  “But it’s not fair for you or her…” Ivy pointed out.

  “I think you are mistaken... I willingly took up the parenting part. I do love kids after the mission I realised. Hazel… she was natural to the boys and…” Ray took a deep breath as his words trailed off.

  “And?” Ivy raised an eyebrow ready to tease him.

  “She had a love at first sight on the knight in shining armor, isn’t it?” Ivy teased him as he laughed.

  “Who told you all this?” He asked.

  “Oh, I have my resources… Besides, you won’t get your house back here if I didn’t pull the deal to be able to stay together with the boys. I was giving you a chance to learn about my soon-to-be sister-in-law. With the adoption, I think it’s inevitable.” Ivy questioned and thanked Sandra and Andrew at the back of her mind for keeping her updated on the events she missed which they heard from Mrs. Soh.

  “I… I’m not good with this… I mean love…” Ray admitted.

  “I know… No one is Ray. Follow your instinct and heart. Even if you marry out of convenience for the kids you wouldn’t be willing to if you didn’t feel anything for her.” Ivy said solemnly as she reminded herself of the same with Jeremy as she sighed at her predicaments.