After finishing up pressing issues at the Gazette; Lance was still feeling sore from his late lunch fun, gets up to meet Lila at her brother’s place. Lance can’t help but smile; despite the whirlwind romance the two formed after first meeting Friday evening, Lance was certain that Lila was the one and was feeling giddy with excitement. Ensuring that his computer and safe are secured; Lance leaves and half limps, half runs to his Prius.
After a few minute driving through the residential streets of Moon Lake; Lance pulls up to a modest sized split level duplex. Pulling up to the driveway, he sees several children’s toys all over the front lawn. Stepping out of his car; Lance is nearly bowled over as a girl roughly seven years old darts past him, followed by two identical boys. All three screaming and laughing as they chase each other, for some reason or another.
“Welcome to the Carpenter house,” Lila says as she snuck up on Lance and embraces him from behind.
“You brother’s kids,” lance watching the three children play.
“Cindy is seven and the twin boys Jasper and Yogi are six,” Lila smiling; “Jasper!” Lila shouting, “stop pulling on Cindy’s hair!”
The three children seeing their aunt Lila with someone stop and stare; before they could respond a blond haired woman steps out of the front door and starts whistling shrilly!
“Cindy, Jasper and Yogi. Get inside now and clean up! Supper is almost ready!”
The woman noticing Lila with Lance steps from the porch to get a better look at him. While she was inspecting him; Lance was staring at the blond haired woman who despite her wiry frame; was clearly stronger then she looked. Lance was able to get a discreet sniff of her scent and knew right away that the mother of the three children was also a were-tigress.
“Lance Knight,” he says while offering his hand to the suspicious woman.
“I know,” She responds; “My husband and I have heard nothing but you coming from Lila for the past few days. Name is Ester by the way.” Looking at Lila while ignoring Lance’s out stretched hand, “you’re not staying for dinner?”
“Well it’s not as if you liked me much Ester,” Lila stares at the petite woman; “besides I have to head back to the office soon to get back to some budget reports.”
“That’s not true,” Ester sighing; “with you moving out, Rick and I will need to start looking for a babysitter.”
“I’m sure we can drop them off at Lila’s new place,” Rick shouts as he steps outside. Like Lila he is also a naturally born were-tiger; while a few inches taller than Lila; it was clear he was a few years younger than her.
“At least not for a few days,” Lance responding; “My parents are coming over to visit in a day or two and I need to get my spare room ready for them. I doubt my brother is going to put them up.”
“Big House,” Ester asking.
“It’s just a bungalow not far from where I work,” Lance answers.
“And what is it you do for a living,” Rick eyeing Lance.
“Editor and chief of the Moon Lake Gazette” Lance answers; “also I'm the sole owner and operator of Knight Media.”
“Oh you’re that Lance Knight,” Rick looking despondent.
“I see my brother’s reputation precedes me once again,” Lance continues; “Just so you know I’m not some racial bigoted rich snob like Benton is.”
“It’s true,” Lila answers; “I’ve done enough volunteer work at the elder council to know Lance is the better brother of the Knight family.”
“Well you’re going to stay for supper right sis,” Rick looking at Lila; “Surely you have time to eat a few tacos before you leave.”
Lila thinks for a few moments. Looking at Lance’s Prius; she knows it will take quite a few trips to cart all her belonging from her room to Lance’s place. She also has those reports to deal with soon.
“Okay Rick,” Lila responds; “But you need to clear out your work truck and help me haul my stuff over to Lance’s place. With Lance’s car it’s going to take multiple trips.”
“Fair enough,” Rick grins; “Let’s all eat before the three little monsters go through it all.”
“I made lots,” Ester comments; “I doubt even Jasper or Yogi could eat it all in the ten minutes we’ve been out here.
Lance and the three Carpenters file inside and head to eat some tacos and get to know each other more.