The guardian and his last chance. Realization

XII

Homestead they called it. A small farm, is what I would call it. I was a bit taken aback, when we arrived. The property is in the forest, hidden away. On all side of it is forest. First impression would turn away most people. All the houses need repair and care. They need a cunning and handy persons love. Some need more than others. What I could say was the gardens are wild and overgrown. Everything tell the story that no one has been here in ages. But gladly enough everything is standing, for the most part at least. If, just if,  I make the choice to live here, this place would flourish once more. In my mind I have already drawn up a plan to save this property. But I will work hard to do that. A person that cleared his throat, made me look over my shoulders. Jacob walked up to my side with Mirai. His voice showed a bit of shame, when he said. “I know it looks bad.” I looked at him with disbelief. “Ok, it is bad, Dragol.” I chuckled at his abashment. “We have not been here since my great grandparents died.”

“It shows.” I said. My voice seemed to bounce between the buildings. “I will take a look around the buildings and land.”

They both nodded in agreement. So, I started to look around. The first thing I want to know is how is the gardens faring. The old garden plots were clearly discovered. All plots filled with weeds and grass. But the earth seems healthy, by the deep green color of the leafage. I walk up on one of the smaller plots, that seemed to be one of many that was used for herbs. Maybe both for seasoning and medicinally. I go down on my knee. With my knife I cut the skin of grass. When I pulled up the grass square, I got a smile on my lips. The earth is deep brown. Next to black. Good soil indeed. Fast I rose up, and started to look, for a fruit garden and bushes. And those I found faster than I thought. The once so nice and neat rows of bushes and trees are almost like a jungle now. But I could see from the place I am standing, raspberry, blackberry, blueberry, apple, pear and cherry. Some of the trees need to be cut down and pruned. The wood can I use for smoking, carpentry and firewood.

At midday, I have checked all buildings except the main house. I liked the sizes of the barn, stable and underground storage. The storage was built just a few feet from the main building. Wich i liked And it is the one that needs just some minor repair. But I dread to go inside the main building of this farm. I already know it need great repair and care. And that statement is from just looking at it on the outside. Some laughter takes me out of my thoughts. I turn around. On the lawn in front of the house are the kids playing and laughing hard. Jacob had cut and raked the grass in the meantime I was looking around, it seemed. How I missed the  great smell of freshly cut grass, chock me? Right now, he and Mirai is sitting on a blanket, right in the center of the lawn.  She is leaning on him. With a smile I walk up to them. As I sat down, I said. “You seem to have a good time.”

Mirai giggled. “Yea.” She looked at the kids. “It was some time since we did an outing like this.” Her smile was warm, it was mirrored in her eyes to. “The kids have so much fun.” She put a hand in the basket. I know she woke up early to prepare the food. With a great smile, she handed me a bottle. It was so refreshing. I didn´t realize that my throat was so dry. Out of the basket, she pulled out sandwiches, plates with some cold foods. It all looks so good. “Kids, food!” she yelled.

I smiled big. The cause is the kids. They throwed themselves on the blanket. The boys who are eight and ten, started to fight over the same sandwich. That action made their parents shake their heads. I shifted my position so that I sat in lotus. After I had shifted, the girl sat down on my lap. She leaned back so her small back and head was on my chest.

“Hanna!” Mirai said chocked. “Get of him.”

Hanna bent her head so she could look at me. “Most I?”

Her question was so innocent. And a bit chocking for us all. Mirai´s mouth is gaping wide. And Jacob are trying to hinder himself from laughing. It seems to be up to me to answer her.

“Why would you not want to sit on the blanket?” I asked amused with a light smile.

She tilted her head, like a pup to think. “mmmmmm.” Then her face split in a big smile. “I like it better here.”

“Hanna!” Mirai say a bit chocked. But I hinder her to say any more, by saying. “Let her sit here.” Mirai look at me with disbelief. “She is just a kid.” Mirai seemed to accept the situation. Same for Jacob. But he just smiles. I said she is a kid, for my sake too. And I have already realized that I will stay here. The chains have been forged and hardened. To this little girl and this pack, I will act as the guardian I am. With a small stretch I get a hold of one of the sandwiches. I ate slowly on purpose. No stress. My decision is done. just to fulfill the act, I need to look at the main building. Our lunch we ate under silence, no striking silence at that. When my stomach was filled, a big burp tore thru my lips. They all looked at me a bit chocked. I shook my shoulders. And the boys started to laugh. Even Jacob grins a wolf smile. I felt how Hanna turned in my lap. I looked down, and meet her silver blue eyes.

“It´s rude to burp, like that.” She said with a frown. I guess she is imitating her mother. A small chuckle escapes my mouth. Softly I put one of my big hands on her small head. Making her pout a bit. “Sorry, little one.”

Slow I put my hands under her arms. I lifted her like nothing, as I rose up. In one movement I put her on one of my broad shoulders. She held on to my head. Her giggles echoed between the buildings. Mirai and Jacob looked on with amusement. The boys flew up.

“Me too” the oldest Michael said almost demanding.

The younger one, David pushed Michael. “No, me first!”

I shook my head very slow, not to frighten Hanna. If not my instincts are wrong the boys will start to fight soon. As I shift Hanna down to my forearm, the boys have started to fight. They are screaming at each other, that it will be him to ride on my shoulder. Again, I put Hanna on my shoulder. Now with her small legs on each side of my head. “Hold on.” I say.

I can feel her small fingers grip my hair. Jacob are chocked by his sons actions, and are getting angry. Their mother is the same as their father. Before Mirai and Jacob can start to lecture them, I fill my lungs and pick up the boys by their collars. They let out a whine, by the sudden movement. I turn them around so they face me. They are a bit scared. It is good then they will take in what I have to say. Slowly I put them back on the ground. I look sternly at them. They twist comfortless by my glare. “Boys!” my voice were not soft, neither hard. “That’s not the way to behave.” They looked at their feet. “And it is absolute no way to ask someone to give a shoulder ride.” They are listening. “So, say sorry to your brother.” We all hear them say low sorry. “I can´t hear you!” With sobbing voices, they said high sorry to each other. My lips turn to a smile, when they hug each other. And I can se chock in their parents faces. I can just guess that the boys doesn´t listen to anyone other than them. Without a word I pick the boys up and put them on my shoulders. Hanna are flanked by her brothers giggling. The boys are shrieking happily.

“Dragol!?” Mirai gasp. “Be careful.” I smile big. And make her eyes go wide when I start to move. My hands hold the boys in place. And Hanna have a steady grip on my hair. So I know that I can move with out a care. I move sideways, turn around on my heels. Every move I do are followed by the kids loughs. And of course, Mirai´s “Careful.”

I go down on my knees. And stretch out my arms to the sides. Plus dropping my shoulders down. I feel how the boys glide down to my upper arms. They sit on my biceps. Both I And Jacob has the same face expression. A great and happy smile. Mirai on the other side is still a little pale of worry.

“Dragol.” Jacob says, with a voice dripping of happiness. “Can you stand still like that?” I nod slowly, so Hanna doesn´t fly off. “ I want to take a photo.”