Diane stared long and hard at him. "I don't believe you." She said, as she turned her head back to Lucille. "Why wouldn't you?" Diego asked, sitting on the grass next to her. "Beacuse you don't have a reason to." Diane replied, pouting, only to get the right side of her cheek drawn by Diego. "Would you quit it- That hurts." Diane slapped his hand away and stared at him angrily, massaging her sore cheek. "Well, there was no one chattering in my ears non-stop, so I had to come check up on you. There was no one to help me... Disorganise my files in a glorious manner either." He added. "I was just trying to help you!" Diane instantly defended herself. "How was I supposed to know that you didn't like your files arranged like that? You Never tell me anything!" Diane exclaimed. Maybe it was the degree to which she raised her voice, or the sound of Diego's voice, or a combination of both- but Morris slowly opened his eyes. "Look, you woke up Morris." Diego observed. "How in Agerintia is that my fault?" Diane wondered out loud. "Good morning, Diego." Morris sat up and greeted respectfully. Diego looked at the position of the sun in the sky. "It's noon now." Diego said. "Oh, then good afternoon Diego." Morris said with a smile, trotting over to his side. "Couldn't you just have accepted his greeting?" Diane asked. "I am just trying to make him time conscious." Diego replied. "He is just a toddler, for goodness sake!' Diane said. Diego ignored her. "Did my little tiger cub have a nice nap?" Diego asked with a smile, as he ruffled up Morris's hair. "Yes!"Morris exclaimed. "I did ask the fairy to pay you a visit in your dream though." Diego said with a pondering look. "What fairy? I didn't see any in my dreams, though." Morris said. "It was the fairy of.... tickles!' Diego tackled Morris to the ground, while tickling him. "Diego stoop... I can't.... hahaha... breathe!" Morris exclaimed. When Diego finally stopped, the poor child was out of breath, and tears were at the corner of his eyes. Diane was a little worried, but seeing Diego's and Morris's smiling faces, a subconscious smile began to creep into her face, too.
Meanwhile, the shadow that crept into Lucille's heart a few days prior continued to grow in size. And the fact that the trio looked so perfect together made it worse- A young father and son playing together, while the wife beams at them both proudly. Without Realising it, she clenched her fists. "Lucille, is something wrong?" Diego asked, upon noticing her expression. "You have been quiet since I arrived, do you have a head cold or something?" He asked. Lucille shook her head, trying to swallow the lump in her throat. "I am fine, Diego." She croaked. Diane went closer to him and indicated for Diego to Bow his head, which he did. She proceeded to whisper into his ear. "She has been awfully quiet since she got here." Diego whispered back. "That doesn't sound Like lucille." Diego affirmed. "Brother! You came out from the office today!" Leonia, who was now wearing a chain of flowers around her neck, complemented by her flower crown, ran up to Diego. "And where hast thou been, my fair traveler?" Diego imitated an ancient language. "Sojourning the seven continents, and the seven seas, seeking for a place, where I shall truly call home." Leonia, who got into acting, replied. Diane was a little astounded. "You read Docetrina?" She asked. "Yes. It is quite an old book." Diane said. "Right? My mother gave it to me for my fifth birthday..." Diane began, but her mood began to turn melancholic. Diego Patted her head. "Now, now, don't feel so down, my queen." He said. She knew he was teasing her as usual, but this time she genuinely felt better. " Yes, now wear this necklace, blessed by the fairies." Leonia added, placing a chain on flowers on Diane's neck as well. "Thank you, Leonia." Diane beamed. Alice sat on the grass near Diane. "Brother, my sweet dearest handsome brother." Leonia began, as she wrapped her hands around Diego's neck. "What do you want, Leonia?" Diego inquired immediately, not even waiting for her fo finish her sweet talk. "Hmph, brother, don't just assume that I want something from you." Leonia harrumphed. "Leonia, I raised you. You always act this way when you need something from me." Diego asked, not buying it for a single moment. "Then brother, can we have a puppy, pretty please?" She said performing the puppy dog eyes. "Pleeasse" Morris joined in, Pratically copying Leonia. Diane felt her heart melt. How could anyone resist ths Two precious angels?
"Absolutely not." Diego, said without batting an eyelid, his face stoic. "Diego!" Diane screamed mentally in her head. "But whyyy?!" Leonia immediately began to have a melt down. "You already have one pet already." Diego said, glancing at the Lizard lying on Alice's lap from the corner of his eyes. "I want one that can perform tricks, Scales can't perform any!" She exclaimed discontented. But Diego had made up his mind. "Leonia, no is no." He stressed. Leonia gave him a punch to the shoulder with her tiny fist. "You meanie, don't talk to me!" She exclaimed, and went to bury her head in Diane's dress. Diane could feel her dress getting wet and the small, uncontrollable jerks from her sobbing. "Leonia.." Diane began, wishing to comfort the child but not knowing where to start. "Leonia." A warm hand stroked Leonia' s hair. "Hush, there there, child." Lucille began. "Since Diego can't get us a puppy, he will take us for a picnic, no?" Lucille said, seeking an affirmation from Diego. Leonia Slightly raised her head, staring at Diego with reddened eyes. Diego cleared his throat. "I will see what I can do." He stated, unable to look at his sister In the eye. "Did you hear that?" Lucille whispered quietly to Leonia. "That Is probably a yes! So kids, we will go on a picnic okay? Much better than a puppy, if you ask me." She said. Leonia sniffed. "Really?" Leonia sat up, rubbing her eyes, before turning to her brother. Diego nodded. He gently placed Morris down from his lap. "I have some urgent issues to attend to, I will be right back."