I meant what I said when I told Serena I'm home. It's an odd feeling, but with every minute that passes I'm more reassured by my decision. I was expecting it to be awkward being around the two of them together, but I'm starting to understand even more what Thias sees in Serena. The conversation so far has been playful and easy. I could get used to this. I believe that even if Matthias decides that he can't leave Serena and that he can't be with me that this will be worth it. Of course I'd be devastated and I want him to choose me, but I'll still have the opportunity to be a part of ths family and their lives however briefly. After I see that Serena is comfortable and put Thias to work I sigh. I know I said I'd be happy and I want to be here and it's true, It's just that the closer we get to each other the harder the inevitable will be. Okay, well I guess it's time to get all the details worked out.

"Okay, you already know my lease is up in two weeks." I don't really wait for them to respond. They both should know this already. It was more of a rhetorical question to start the conversation off with.

"Okay, so I'm assuming two weeks is okay with both of you. What I want to know is how this is going to work. Like what part of the work load I'll be taking, if ya'll want me to pay for the room, stuff like that." Matthias looks incredulously at me after that statement. What did I say?

"Make you pay?" This question came from Serena, but a glance at Matthias shows that he's thinking the same thing. Oh.

"Well, you are giving me a place to stay."

"Nonesense, you don't need to pay. You'll be helping Serena out with the housework and taking care of the boys.

"Thias, don't be ridiculous. I work too you know, and in taking me in you'll be taking in extra living expenses also. You might have the money, but it's only fair I pitch in my share."

"What do you think Serena?"

"Well, I think that Nico has a point. I also think that if we don't let him pay for anything he will start to feel like he's too dependent on us." Huh? I wouldn't have thought of it that way, she makes a good argument.

"But he won't be! He can still go off and do his own thing. He won't have to rely on us."

"It's not the same thing Mattie. If he feels like we are paying for everything and taking care of everything it will take away his feeling of independence and maybe a little bit of his pride." You know it feels weird to sit here and listen to them discussing me. I must admit though Serena is a smart woman. Thias just sighs as if defeated.

"Alright, I can't argue too much with that. What do you suggest?"

"Well, I was thinking of having Nico mainly in charge of the kitchenm. I'm sure you'll both agree to that."

"Okay..." I'm not quit sure where she is going with this or what it has to do with money.

"Well, if you were in charge of the kitchen it would only make sense if you were in charge of the food." Oh, I think I'm beginning to understand now.

"Serena, don't you think that's asking too much?" She waves her hand towards me.

"Not at all, you see how well he's doing now, even while following our conversation. Besides I'm not asking him to pay for it all himself. Just that he'd be the one to do the grocery shopping and that he can pitch in his money to help with that." If we decide we need help or he wants to pay more we can talk about it when the issue comes up." She's got us there, I kind of like the idea, but it's not enough.

"What about the rest of the house and the boys?" She smiles at that.

"Oh don't worry, you can help whever you want around here, I'm sure I'll need it. This isn't exactly a small place to keep up with. I don't expect you to cook everyday either."

"Wait, what?"

"I intend to cook maybe one or two days a week to give you a break. Don't want you wearing yourself out either mister." Well, that definitely wasn't something I was expecting.

"I like how you two completely forgot I'm here" Thias grumbles from the other side of the room. He's finished the salad by now. Serena just laughs at him.

"Well once you get back to working like you usually do, you won't be around much to worry about housework. Neither of us will be expecting you to do much around here anyway." He frowns, I don't think he's happy with how that makes him sound.

"Thias... I don't think she meant it like that." I look over my sholder and see the shock on her face as she realizes how he took her careless words.

"Oh Mattie, I just meant that you work so much that you needn't concern yourself with anything around here unless you want to. You do your part to help out already. You know housework was never really your forte anyway." He just nods, but at least he accepted he response.

"There is one thing you can do for us though." He perks up at that.

"Yes?"

"You can call your mother."

"Um, okay?"

We need to let her know that on the days she gets the boys from school because I can't that/ ico will pick them up from her place when he gets out. The kids you teach are a little older than our boys, right?" I nod my head.

"Yeah by a couple of years at least."

"So they let out a little later, right?"

"Yes."

"Okay, so if his mom happens to pick up the boys like she does sometimes would you mind swinging by there to get them when you get off?"

"I don't see why not."

"Then it's settled. Mattie can call his mom while the food's cooking." My mind is on another phone call that I want him to make. It might be fun to see his reaction when I ask. He already knows Devin might have a crush on Zainey, but I mean they're kids. I doubt anything will happen.

"Hey Thias?"

"Hmm?"

"While you're at it do you think you can call Devin's mom too? I should have her number around here somewhere." I have the number for all my student's parents just in case.

"What?!" He practially shouts. Serenan is just looking at us curiously.

"Who's Devin?"

"A student of mine." Matthias is still floundering in disbelief.

"W-why? H-his mom? Why do I need to call his mom?"

"Because he wants to officially meet Zainy and I thought you could set up a sort of play-date or something."

"B-but..." Serena's looking back and forth between the two of us.

"I don't see what the big deal is. Zainy could use some friends, he's not one to go out of his way to make them himself. As long as Devin isn't too rough with him I don't see the problem." I smile at her statement. Thias isn't going to be able to win this one.

"He's a good kid, I'm sure they'll be fine. If it would make you feel bbetter we can arrange for Elijah to be there too. You can even call Jamie if you want and see about Peter going. I know meeting a new kid might take it's toll on Zainy." Serena smiles at me gratefully wwhile Thias just stares at us before finally sighing.

"I-8 guess it can't harm to call her." He mumbles softly.

"What was that about?" Serena demands as soon as Matthias leaves the room to make the phone calls. So I tell her what happened when he visited me earlier and we have a good laugh about it.