||Hello Neighbour: A Better Timeline||

||Chapter 20: Going To Explore||

Delory cleared his throat.
His mom finished applying plasters,"Now; Could we maybe meet this Nicky and her family? I'd like to thank her for saving you-","Him.", Delory quickly cleared that up,"Uh, I think his name is Nicholas but everyone calls him Nicky.", his mom nods,"That was close, that would have been a bit embarrassing.", his dad glanced up from the paper, folding it and putting aside as he rose from the chair.
"Your mother is right, we should meet and thank them with a gift for the parents and the boy, Nicky was his name."
She nods,"Will you be joining us?","Yeah, I have time.", as his mom and dad spoke about this, Delory could only imagine the look on his face.
1. Even if Nicky saved his life, it was odd his dad would say to meet and give them a gift, and come with them? Usually it was just him and his mom.
2. He had no idea where Nicky lived.
3. This was gonna be awkward.
Even his dad's dog Skipper looked confused at this.

=

Luanne continued to inspect him, luckily it seems like only his hands a few cuts and not so serious burns, but she did make sure to treat them properly.
"You're good; We need to thank Miguel for letting him shower at his place."
"He said no worries, and Enzo and Maritza got to play after he was done."
Ding Dong

They turned to the door.
Luanne frowned,"Miguel coming to visit?", Jay shrugged, going to get the door,"Not sure.", and Jay opened the door.
"Oh, good morning."
There was a family of 3, a lady in a light yellow and white dress, a man in a suit and tie, hat and next to him was a boy in a yellow coat, Jay immediately recognised him.
"Oh, you're the boy that ran out with my son."
His mother nods,"Yes, could we come in?", Jay nods,"Luanne, we have surprised guests.", Jay held the door for them.

~

"My name is Molly, this is my husband Leonard and my son Delory."
Molly shook Luanne's hand,"I just wanted to stop by and thank your son for helping mine out when the boiler exploded.", Luanne looked at Nicky,"Oh, this is the same Delory you told me about.", Nicky nods,"Yeah, we got caught in the crossfire, but we're okay; Right?", Delory nods, not looking at Nicky's mom in the eye,"Yeah, uh, just a few scratches and bruises.", Molly smiled, handing them a bag,"We just wanted to meet and thank your son.", by now, Leonard had noticed Nicky was hiding behind his father, holding his hand and looked nervous.
But his dad offered him a smile and Nicky came out from behind him.
"Thank you so much."
Molly gave him a hug,"It's- It's no problem, mean anyone would have done the same.", Leonard nods,"But you were very brave and quick to think.", Leonard then turned to his son,"How about you and Nicky chat for a bit in his room while ne and your ma talk with his mom and dad?", not wanting to cause a scene, Delory agreed and Nicky showed him to his room.

~

"I'm so sorry, mom insisted on meeting and thanking you for pulling me away from the fire and getting me to my feet."
Nicky smiled,"It's not a problem, I see why but; It was still surprising.", "Yeah. . .", it was one thing if it was just him and his mom, but dad tagging along?
That was weird.

"You. . . Haven't unpacked?"
Sure, he had a nice bed, desk and other stuff but there was boxes of his stuff.
"Yeah, I have. . . No motivation to unpack just yet."
Delory entered,"So, your hands good?", Nicky nods,"Yeah, just a few scratches and light burns, nothing serious; We just were in the wrong place at the wrong time and the gas leaked.", Delory sat on the bed, once noting Nicky motioned him to sit next to him,"You think that's what it was?", "Mean, looking back now; I remember that strange smell, it could have been gas.", Delroy frowned,"How do you know?", Nicky nods,"Mom's a Scientist, see when we do Bunsen Burners and we're advised to turn off the gas before taking the Burner off, it's because gas would leak into the room and could kill you in your sleep, hence the stove, or blow something up.", Delory was stunned.
Nicky rubbed his wrist,"I got see a lot of my Mom's work; You see some stuff in those labs.", Delory nods,"Good to know, mean; You couldn't have known immediately but, thanks for the fun fact and insight.", Delory then unzipped his coat and handed Nicky a present,"I got this as a thank you, I don't know if it's something you like but. . . It's just a thank you.", Nicky took it with a smile,"Thank you.", "Don't mention it, kind of owe ya big time.", Delory didn't believe a present would cover for that, so guess he'll pay Nicky back some day and somehow.

=

Leonard smiled,"We best be off, it was nice to meet you all and again.", he offered his hand to Nicky, who shook his hand,"Thank you.", Leonard could also feel eyes on him.
The eyes of a mother.

=

"Really?"
Nicky nods,"Yeah, he got me two large chocolate bars and 3 comic books.", Aaron laid on the ground,"That was nice of him.", Lucy patted her lap,"So, what do we do while schools out? It's gonna be a long while.", Maritza then jumped,"Oh! With Keith and Leslie being occupied with the school; Why not show Nicky the factory?", Aaron smiled,"Oh yeah!", "Golden Apple Factory?", Mya nods,"Yeah, yeah! We gotta show you!", Enzo didn't look as excited as them, he seemed against breaking in and, this is probably the first time Nicky would.
"Don't give me that face; You showed me how to break in there in the first place."
Mya, Trinity, Lucy and Maritza nod.
Well wasn't that a shock.