And so we continue with the question.

Stay at home with the Hunters.

It wouldn't be their first time.

However, ...

... on such short notice, ....

... in such an unfamiliar place, ....

... with such unfamiliar people, ....

... really?

Julianne Hunter took note of the silence. That, however, did not take the bulk of her attention.

Instead, it was her son.

He was acting aloof and uncaring.

But she knew her little boy well enough to know what he was feeling.

She knew that too well.

Julianne: (thinking: Stay strong hon. Stay strong.)

She knew full well how badly he wanted them to stay.

But... she also knew her son.

He'd never outright say it.

Julianne as well would not say a word. She didn't want to make it look like she ahd forced them to stay.

And so, for just a moment... long enough that Rose had begun to question it, but not long enough for her to actually say something about it. The entire room was silent.

In fact, just before she could speak up.

Luke: Well.... I mean...

He took just a second longer to consider this.

Luke: ... sure. Why not?

Max's ears perked up on hearing that.

Ken: Yeah, sure. Why not?

And then... Max's eyes widened....

In fact, all of their eyes did.

Ken?

Of all people?

Enthusiastic about something?

Tiffany, on having heard that, by all means simply had to agree.

In part, because Luke was her ride, not that she had anything to worry about, walking home alone at night, but rather, because she would have to walk quite a while to get home.

That was, in and of itself, two problems.

One, she would have to walk a long time to get home, and doing that would elucidate the fact that she wanted to get home so badly that she'd rather walk in the cold for several hours than stay with them.

Following social contagion, that was rude and would make them feel bad.

And also, if she did decide to head home, she'd be leaving the team behind.

And if she asked Luke to take her home, she'd just be inconveniencing him... since he'd said yes.

Tiffany: Sure... (thinking: This is gonna be a long night.)

Rose: Awesome!

And she gleefully turned back to the mother.

Rose: So.... Mrs Hunter....

Julianne Hunter herself was happy.

Many times happier than her reply would have betrayed.

Perhaps she would have squealed, perhaps even screamed, perhaps even a girly jump.

But no, she wouldn't do that.

Not even for a second.

After all...

In the corner of her eye, she turned to Max, who still looked like he didn't care.

... she knew full well how much this meant to who it was for.

Julianne: Sure. I have no problem with that.

Rose: Oh really?

Julianne: Mmm hmm.

Rose: Oh. Thank you, Mrs Hunter!

Julianne: Don't mention it.

She had made many acts this day... this was by far one of the hardest.

Her son's friends wanted to stay home.

And also, she didn't even need to force them.

She could only imagine how happy her son would feel.

As for Max, he forced himself not to react to it.

He wouldn't so much as smile about it. Nope. Not even a little.

As for Rose...

Rose: Hear that, guys? She said yes.

Luke: Yeah, we heard Rose.

And Rose was besides herself with glee.

She was glad. Glad that her new alien friends genuinely liked her enough to let her stay over again, to say nothing of her friends staying as well.

Julianne: Although....

And with that, they all turned to her.

Julianne: ... you'll have to sleep by the couches. I only have one guest room.

Rose: Oh... well that's ok.

She turned back to the others, almost as though worried that they would change their minds.

However, to them, sleeping on the couches was Tuesday. Both figuratively and "it happened just this weekly... ly"

Luke: Sure. No problem.

Ken: K.

Tiffany: It's fine.

And Max held his smile in with an incredible amount of force, particularly glad that his head was towards the T.V. screen, so no one could clearly see his face.

Julianne: Ok then.

And with that, she got up and stretched.

Part of her ideal was to ensure that no matter what, she did not show that she was planning this from the get-go.

And so, ....

Julianne: Let me.... go upstairs and get you kids some blankets. M'kay?

Rose: Ok, Mrs Hunter!

Julianne: Alright then...

And with that, the mother simply got up and started walking upstairs...

Julianne: Oh... wait!

This just occurred to her as she was walking.

Julianne: Does anyone want to stay in the guest room?

At that point, all the teens exchanged glances.

Rose: It's ok.

Luke: We'll be fine.

Ken: No need to worry.

Tiffany: We'll just stay here.

Julianne: Ok.

She walked up into the stairs and, now being out of sight, finally let that big smile show on her face.

It was done.

And it was a deal.

They would stay.

She cheerily walked into her room... and opened her cupboard, where several blankets were waiting.

She'd already organized these earlier, as well as towels.

Julianne: (thinking. Come to think of it, none of them have showered...)

She would sort that out later.

And for the next few moments, she would simply bask in her own happiness.

She did it.

They did it.

Her son's first sleep over in... well... who knew how long?

She was almost tempted to go downstairs and take more photos, but no.

She would not do that.

Anything that would raise suspicions had to be avoided.

She would simply use the photo from before.

Yes.

That would have to do.

And also, rather than simply head downstairs, she would lie there, pretending to be busy.

The last thing she'd wanted was for them to think that she'd planned this from the get-go.

And so, she would be patient.

As for her son downstairs....

Ken: Alright, let's get started.

Max: Hmph!

When would he be going to bed?

Who knew?

All he knew was this.

He had friends to spend time with.

Luke: Maybe one more crack at it wouldn't hurt.

Max started laughing.

Ken: And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the ambient pull of Warring
Dimensia 2.

Luke: Yeah, yeah.

Rose giggled.

And as for Tiffany...

She simply remained quiet.

Her team was getting along.

So... why stress? Why bother? All was well.