The First Rule

Chapter 38: Quantum of Solace

November 2015

It was a rainy afternoon. A large man was rushing to gather his things—hurriedly moving about the house. Meanwhile, another figure stood with her eyes shut tightly—her mouth moving silently as if chanting something. Her finger traced patterns in the air as she tried to remember every detail of his trip—when suddenly, her eyes flew open in a moment of eureka.

"I think that's about it!" she declared with determination, snatching the car keys off the table and hurrying over to her husband who was dressed in a suit.

In one smooth motion, she spun him around and adjusted his tie. The man quickly kissed her, a soft moan escaping his lips, "Love you, Mrs. Winters. I'll be back soon, okay?"

"Love you, Mr. Winters. Don't forget to call when you get there, alright?"

The man nodded and knelt in front of a girl, planting a kiss on her forehead. "I'll call every night okay, Emily?" he paused, waiting for his daughter's nod. When she finally nodded sadly, he let out a slight chuckle before scooping her up in his arms to carry her outside. His wife followed, carrying his suitcase.

As they approached the car, John set his daughter down and kissed her temple before loading his suitcase into the passenger seat. After a round of goodbyes, he got into the car—but as he started to drive away, the girl burst into tears, clutching Janet's waist tightly.

"Aww, baby Emily~ It's okay, it's only for a week,"

"Janet!"

When a voice came from behind them. Janet turned to see a woman waving with a little boy standing awkwardly beside her, holding a box. They walked over, meeting in the middle.

Hugging her crying daughter around the waist, Janet greeted them, "Vi! Hi, little Tyty! You know how she is—always crying when her daddy leaves."

"In that case..." Violet began—before nudging little Tyler, urging him forward. Reluctantly, Tyler placed the big box on the ground.

Curious and tearful, you opened the box.. to find a tiny black bulldog puppy with the softest fur—a fluffy bundle that immediately wriggled into your lap. The puppy looked up at her with big, trusting eyes—and Janet's heart ached at the sight, knowing how much this little creature could mean to her daughter.

"This one resembles Mr. Winters the most—"

"Tyler. Cavill!"

Nonchalantly the little boy wondered what he did wrong with round eyes, as he asked, "What?" followed by his mom's palm on her forehead.

Chuckling, Janet guessed the mastermind without even hesitating, clarifying, "Let me think—Greg?"

"You know how he is." Violet rolled her eyes, looking weary from handling two boys as an everyday job—but she smiled warmly at Emily as she giggled, "We thought he might cheer you up when John's away."

"Thank you auntie Violet—uncle Greg—thank you Tyty!" you beam.

Janet looked at Violet, her eyes glistening with gratitude. "Thank you, Vi. You have no idea what this means. Say thank you to him too for me?" The moms voice trailing off as they continue their grown up conversations. As for the little humans..

Little you stared at the tiny bulldog with awe—before you glanced at Tyler, as if asking for permission to pet the puppy. Tyler immediately led the way and petted the puppy—even when the puppy jokingly bit his hand weakly. Urging you to follow suit, you gently stroked the puppy's fur—and you couldn't help but grin, contagiously making him mirrored you.