Max walked towards his little sisters, Agnes and Illyanna, who were playing with a couple of butterflies in the garden. As he approached them, they wrinkled their noses and started teasing him.
"Ugh, Max, you're so stinky," Agnes said, giggling.
Illyanna chimed in, "Yeah, go take a bath, Max!"
Max laughed and tried to give them a hug, but they were too quick for him to catch.
"You guys are too fast for me," Max said, smiling.
Agnes and Illyanna continued to tease him, and Max couldn't help but feel happy to be surrounded by his sisters. However, the happiness didn't last long as they started to look for their father.
"Have you seen our dad?" Agnes asked, looking around.
Max's smile faded as he thought about their father, who had left suddenly earlier. He didn't want to worry his little sisters, so he put on a fake smile and said, "Nope, haven't seen him. Maybe he went on a mission or something."
Agnes and Illyanna continued to look around, and Max watched them, feeling a twinge of sadness. He knew how much they loved their father and how much they missed him when he was gone.
Max walked down the hallway, lost in his own thoughts. Suddenly, his mom, Laussinna, emerged from her room with her long, pink hair all ruffled up. She greeted her son with a smile, and Max returned the gesture.
"Good morning, mom," Max said.
Laussinna yawned and stretched her arms. "Good morning, dear. Have you seen your father around?"
Max's expression darkened, and he looked away. "No, I haven't."
Laussinna noticed her son's sour face and frowned. "Is something bothering you, Max?"
Max shifted uncomfortably. "No, not really. I just... I think I need a bath."
Laussinna nodded, understanding. "Well, why don't you take one with me? Just like old times?"
Max blushed, feeling shy. But his mom's stern gaze made him give in. "Okay, fine."
As they walked into the bathroom, Laussinna grabbed a bar of soap and a loofah, and began to scrub Max's back. He winced as she hit a particularly sensitive spot.
"Mom, that hurts," Max complained.
Laussinna chuckled. "Sorry, dear. I just want to make sure you're clean."
They chatted as they bathed, with Laussinna asking about Max's daily routine and if he had found a girlfriend yet. Max's face turned red, and he stammered out an excuse.
"I-I haven't found anyone yet," he said. "I don't think I'm good enough."
Laussinna's expression softened, and she placed a hand on her son's shoulder. "Max, you're one of the best men I've ever met. You're smart, kind, and brave. You'll find the right girl someday, I promise."
Max smiled, feeling comforted by his mother's words. They continued to splash water and laugh together, enjoying their time together in the bath.
Max relaxed in the warm water, enjoying the familiar comfort of bathing with his mother. As he scrubbed his arms, he looked up at her and asked, "Mom, is it true that you're an angel?"
Laussinna smiled down at him, her long pink hair cascading over her shoulders. "Yes, it's true. I am an angel."
Max's eyes widened in surprise. "Wow, that's amazing. But why haven't you told me before?"
Laussinna chuckled. "I thought you knew, my dear. But you never asked."
Max frowned. "I wanted to ask, but I didn't know how to bring it up. Can you tell me more about our family history?"
Laussinna hesitated for a moment, then shook her head. "I'm sorry, Max. Some things are better left unsaid. But I can tell you how your father and I fell in love."
Max's interest piqued. "Really? Please tell me!"
Laussinna's face softened as she recalled the memory. "Your father was hunting me down, trying to kill me. But he didn't realize that I was an angel and that I possessed powerful magic. When he finally caught up to me, we fought fiercely. But then something changed. We stopped fighting and just looked at each other. I saw the pain and hurt in his eyes, and I knew that I had to help him. That's when we fell in love."
Max grinned, imagining his tough and stoic father falling for his gentle and loving mother. "That's a beautiful story, Mom. Thank you for sharing."
Laussinna smiled back at him. "You're welcome, my dear. Now hurry up and finish washing your back. And don't forget to find a girlfriend soon! I want to be a grandmother."
Max blushed at the thought, feeling suddenly nervous. "I'll try, Mom. But I don't think I'm worthy enough."
Laussinna's expression turned serious as she cupped his cheek. "Don't say that, Max. You are worthy and deserving of love. You are the best man I've ever known, maybe second to your father." She grinned mischievously. "But don't tell him I said that."
Max laughed and splashed water at her. "I won't, Mom. I promise."