A/N: I apologise for the late update. I've been occupied for the past days. If you haven't heard yet, I have my second book out of the Mr. Mogul series next month. Thank you for those who have been supporting that series up until now. I appreciate it. And also, thank you for supporting my new stories as well.

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It was a twenty-minute drive from Central Avenue towards the resort. Throughout the ride, I was stuck in the back seat with Lenna and Gavin, who sat between us. Once we reached our destination, I spoke up for the first time since we entered the car.

I kept my voice low as I glanced down at Gavin's sleeping face. "This is a lovely place. Thanks for inviting me today, if I forgot to say it later."

"No problem. And I'm glad you agreed to hang out with strangers," Lenna replied with the same volume as she brushed back her son's hair.

"I'm still reeling on the fact that you haven't tried mountain biking before," Archie suddenly spoke up in remarks to our last conversation at the bakeshop.

I smiled at his comment but no longer defended my claim. Instead, my eyes were glued to the scenery outside as Gabe effortlessly parked the car in front of a huge cabin lounge. The exterior was mostly made up of wood than concrete, which differs from the building I'm used to seeing. But the luxury design wasn't new to me.

"Wow. I didn't expect to see this," I commented unconsciously.

"Though this couldn't compare to your skyscrapers, but we could hold our own." Gabe smugly pointed.

"I'll give you that," I agreed with an approving smile.

Everyone slowly piled out of the car excluding Lenna. She stayed in the car for a moment longer as she patiently waited for Gavin to get his barring. The kid instinctively clanged to his mother once he woke up and allowed her to carry him out. Seeing her struggle on her hold on him, I jogged around the car to help out. While heading around the back of the car, Archie subtly walked up to me.

"Go easy on them. They've been through a lot," he whispered in passing as he continued walked around the truck, his eyes already set on the mounted bike.

I peered in his direction with confusion and contemplated on his words. But then I quickly turn back towards Lenna, who wasn't in a good position as she closed the car door without loosing her grip on Gavin.

With quick steps, I shut the door for her and tugged the bag she held. She looked at me in surprise for a moment before nodding her head in gratitude. Shifting Gavin's weight on her hip, she called out for Archie's attention.

"A little help next time would be appreciated!" She sarcastically informed while rubbing her son's back in comfort. The little boy's eyes fluttered open at his mother's slight outburst.

"You're welcome." Archie replied bluntly without looking in her direction.

Lenna stared at him for another moment without a word before turning on her heel and started walking towards the resort's lounge. Gabe had been undeniably silent through the short banter. But the grin on his face stated he was in on Archie's childish act.

"Wow, really? Her?" Archie mouthed and pointed a thumb in her direction as I spun towards him.

"What?" I mouthed back, looking clueless.

"If you don't like it, Archie, I suggest you don't get involved with it." Gabe remarked as he stopped for a moment before following behind Lenna.

With an innocent shrug, I smiled at Gabe in agreement and followed behind him, leaving Archie with a defeated look.

Entering the lounge, Gabe and Lenna knew where everything was and headed up the counter to check us in for the day use of the facilities. I was about to offer to pay my half but Lenna quickly shut me down and unconsciously ordered me to sit down with her son by the waiting area. It was the first for me to be told what to do. And since she looked serious enough, I silently headed towards the chair where Gavin sat with his feet dangling on the edge of the couch.

I stopped on my tracks and stood in front of him. Gavin look up with innocent eyes before he moved sideway to give space for me to seat. Without words, he looked down on his legs and started swinging again. I smiled at the kid's shy gesture and sat beside him.

"Thanks, Gavin." I said after settling beside him.

"Did mom also asked you to sit too?" he said without looking away.

"Yes. She was a bit scary when she said it."

"You think so too?" the kid perked up in interest but quickly covered his expression when his eyes darted in the direction where Lenna stood. "Mom isn't scary at all," he mumbled in her defense.

"I apologize. She isn't scary." I agreed, holding my hands up in defeat. "But can I tell you what I really think of you mother, Gavin?" I asked, softening my voice.

He peered up at me with curiosity dancing in his eyes. "She is pretty, if you ask me."

A smile tugged up his solemn face until he beamed in delight. "You are just saying that. Uncle Archie said you would say that because you like momma," he giggled between words.

I smiled at his innocence and ruffled his hair adoringly. "He wasn't wrong."

"Getting the kid to like you? Nice plan." I turned and found Archie standing beside me, looking a bit amused.

Before I countered a reply, Lenna and Gabe walked up towards us. "We are good to go. Are you guys ready?" Lenna asked as she stopped beside Archie.

When Gavin saw her, he stood up and headed toward her side with his arm wide open. Lenna picked him up and gave a quick kiss on the cheeks. He kissed her back before wrapping his small arms around her neck.

"Momma, he said that you're pretty." Gavin asked his little voice grabbed our attention.

Lenna looked confused by Gavin's statement. She twisted in my direction and our eyes met. I gave her a stiff smile while we waited for her reaction. There was a brief silence in our group. Lenna peered back at Gavin with a forced smile. I knew it was the only reaction we could gauge out of her. With a light pat on my back, Gabe turned our attentiveness towards the day ahead of us.

Before we separated ways, Archie approached me again, but this time he looked serious.

"You're new here, and from what I heard you won't be staying long. So if this is just a fling for you, I suggest you clear it out and keep things friendly. Lenna has a lot on her hands already." He mumbled low enough only I could hear.

I couldn't formulate a reply to his words. So I didn't say anything and gave him a slight nod. I hadn't really known the guy since I step foot in town, but based on when I first met him at the bakeshop, he was protective of Lenna.

Once Gabe walked up to me, I expected another speech from him even though he hinted on his thought of me last night. He patted my shoulder and gave it a slight squeezed.

"Even though I just met you Kyle, from how she comfortably talks to you, it already says a lot. And I'm a good judge of character. So if you do something to her, she wasn't bluffing about it last night." His threat was so subtle it gave me a slight chill on my neck.

"You can trust me, Gabe." I vowed softly, not sure of the weigh of the words I had said.

"I hope you'll have fun today." He patted my shoulder one last time before joining Archie, who was talking to Lenna and Gavin. Lenna was unaware with Gabe and mine's exchange since Archie was distracting her.

For a moment, I had put myself in a situation where I could no longer turn back. But there were no feelings of regret being here at this moment.

After we parted ways, we firstly headed out to the scenic lift, which wasn't a bad top of the list things to do for your first time in a mountain resort. On our way to the lift, Gabe and Archie excused themselves to get a head start on the biking trail if they wanted to get home before sun down. So I was left under Lenna's care.

"Did you plan this?" I asked as we separated ways with the other group.

"Why would you assume that? Don't get it over your head, Kyle." She snorted in disbelief.

"I'm not assuming anything. But this situation, and how it came about, is very questionable."

"I see what you did there, but no."

"Whatever you say..." I trailed off and allowed her to walk ahead on me.

Reaching the starting point of the lift, we didn't have to wait long on the line since there weren't much tourist in. Once our turn came up, Gavin happily cheered as he sat between us. We buckled up as the staff attendant locked the steel bar to keep us on our seats. As the ride headed upwards, the lift tilted slightly and made Lenna stiff for a second. I twisted myself and held out my arm around Gavin, placing it on her shoulder. She glanced at me from the gesture.

Without me asking, she replied, "I'm okay."

Her voice was low enough for Gavin to not hear, but to me it was crystal clear. With a nod of recognition, I slid my hand away from her, leaving a slight burning sensation at the feel of her skin on my hand.

The lift ride to the top and back down was a good half an hour. When we were done, we headed directly to the hiking trail for a brisk walk. Gavin broke away from us shortly to play by himself. Lenna strictly instructed him to only play within her eyesight, which the little boy looked happy to comply. Once we were alone, walking side by side with a good arm's length distance, it took a few moments before we broke it with small talk.

"So what made you come all the way here in Montana?"

"Why did you decide to live here?" We both asked in the same time, stopping us in our small strides. We looked at each other and smiled. I gestured her to walk ahead and she answered the question first.

"Well, I lived here since my parents transferred for work when I was in high school. It wasn't really a choice for me. But since then, I never left..." her voice trailed off into silence. But I left like there was more she wanted to say.

When she hadn't, I took my turn in answering her question.

"After I graduate in college, I started working. My Aunt and sister always told me I hadn't stopped working since then, so I finally thought it was time to take a break. A really long break." I exaggerated the last sentence.

"And the company you worked for agreed without question?" she asked in interest.

"I'm a very hard-working employee." I playfully replied.

"How long did they give you?"

"Depends."

"Wow, you must be a valuable worker to give you limitless time off. Beth would only give me once a week off but only on weekends," she scoffed in admission.

"Actually I only get to be here because of Luke. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't end up here with you." I admitted.

There was another short pause between us, making my words linger in the air.

"What is Luke like now?" she asked, quickly changing the topic.

"What was he like then?" I countered with a mischievous smile.

She bumped her shoulder in my arm in annoyance but replied nonetheless. "He was a nice friend, from what I remembered. He used to get in a lot of trouble at school and around town, but he was kind and generous. Though he wouldn't admit it, he has a soft spot for his friends." I watched her face lit up from talking about Luke.

"Did you have a crush on him or something?" I teased, wiggling my eyebrows playfully.

"It was in third or fourth grade. We went out on a date and got ice cream," she replied without shame and chuckled at the memory. "I remembered vividly how he was about to hold my hand and I pulled away. He looked really annoyed because of it. After that, he rarely talked to me. It was childish but we were young."

I grinned. "Well, I felt bad that you didn't let him hold your hand. I think I remember him telling the same story some time ago."

"Really? What did he say?"

"He dumped you for not letting him hold your hand." As those words flew out, Lenna burst into a fit of laughter.

"I couldn't believe he said that. I knew it was the reason he barely talked to me," she stated between laughs.

"I'm glad you didn't cave in. He needed his ego get check from time to time, even at such a young age," I remarked out of context.

"You two are related. I would say the same thing with you." She stated suggestively.

"Oh, really?"

"Yes, really. I perfectly put you in check. But it seemed that you are at it again."

"It's not an ego, as I've said. I'm just confident with myself." I defended.

"Whatever makes you sleep better at night, Mr. overconfident."

"I'm not going to win this argument, am I?" I huffed in defeat and shook my head.

"No. You won't."

"And I'm going to say, you're childish miss." I smugly opposed.

"Oh no, you didn't just accuse me as childish?" she gasped in mock disbelief.

"You bet I did."

After our healthy banter, Gavin came back insisting on eating lunch. Glancing down at my watch, it was already passed noon. I felt bad for the kid that we weren't paying attention towards the time. From the look on embarrassment on Lenna's face, she had lost track of time as well.

The walk back towards the lounge wasn't long. We headed directly to their dining hall. Since it was pass lunch hour, the place was hardly crowded. The room was warm and homey, from the wooden table and chairs, and the white tablecloth, plus the picture frames hanging in the wall like a photo gallery. It wasn't like a luxury restaurant, but the service was close to it.

A waiter approached us with a menu after we sat down. Lenna was quick to read through the choices and given out her meal order while I skimmed through the menu. Gavin was already preoccupied with the table napkin, folding it around with his little hands. In the corner of my eyes, I noticed how closed he played by the table utensils. With reflex, I quickly reached out to take the glass by his hands that almost got knocked down. While my attention was elsewhere, I hadn't noticed the change of expression from Lenna's face. When I looked up, I was already too late. He stood beside the waiter on Lenna's side with both hand on his hip.

"What do you know? The whole family is here," Stephen remarked as his eyes lingered towards Lenna before he noticed me. "And you've got company too!" This was thick sarcasm and dislike on his voice.

"Kyle, do you want to eat somewhere? I think Gabe and Archie are done." Lenna ignored him and looked at me with slight alarm. I briefly noticed her hand wrapped around Gavin's wrist.

As I was about to reply, Stephan cut me off and ordered the waiter to go. I noticed a few of the customers who were within hearing range glanced in our direction, regarding Stephen as a threat. I looked at Lenna with composure, giving her a slight head tilt to signal her I'm going if she needed to go.

"Oh! Don't be a poor sport babe, we rarely got to eat out with the three of us." Stephan placed a hand on Lenna's shoulder. I saw her flinched slightly at the sudden contact. "How about apron guy here could go and catch up with Gabe while we have lunch together?" he suggested. From the tone of his voice, he wasn't taking no for an answer.

I peered in his direction with a dissatisfied look before turning towards Lenna. "I think we should call up the rest of the group. Maybe they want to eat somewhere," I suggested instead. As I spoke up, I felt Stephen stared at me with daggers.

"Let the little guy decided." He grumbled in objection, turning our attention towards Gavin, he had been silent throughout the confrontation.

He looked smaller as he hunched his shoulder while holding on to his mother's arm. He gazed towards Stephan but otherwise didn't move an inch. With his body language, it didn't take an expert to know the kid was afraid of him.

"Hey Buddy, do you want to have lunch with Daddy today? We hadn't seen each other for sometime since I've been working to get you that favorite action figure you wanted. What was his name again?" he cooed, smiling cheekily towards him.

Gavin remained silent and continued to regard him for a moment "Wolverine?" He finally asked with a small voice, leaning slightly away from her mother.

"Yeah. I remember you telling me you wanted one this Christmas."

The little boy beamed at his words as his little head bobbed in recognition. Gavin looked up at Lenna like he was asking for permission before he reached out towards Stephen. With a triumphant smile, Stephen lifted up Gavin towards his embrace as the kid started asking him about his gift. He started listing a few other X-men characters in the mix.

And before Lenna could pry away Gavin from him, the little guy asked Stephen to stay with us for the rest of the day.

"You should go with us to the slides. We'll slide together!" Gavin cheered happily.

"I can't stay Gavin if your mom doesn't want me too." Stephen informed.

As I sat there almost defenseless and like a stranger, I watched Stephen walked around and sat beside Lenna with Gavin on his lap. Lenna animatedly called back the waiter and offered Stephen to stay with us for lunch. There was no pain or smiles on her face, she had pushed back and build a wall to hide her real emotion. But for a short glimpse, I saw her remorse.

"Lenna..." I softly called out. But halted my words when she slightly shook her head to stop me from speaking.

I wanted to get her out and grabbed Gavin with us. I wanted to punch this guy and beat him to a pulp from making me so powerless. And I wanted to kill him for using Gavin's innocent love and praise for him to get what he wanted. I was a stranger. It wasn't my call.