As we agreed, we met with the children in a cafe. Elliott darkly joked that he felt like Stirlitz from the famous film. While drinking hot chocolate, I briefly tell the children what happened.
- You bastards! Christian growls. We set up House 2 for ourselves without SMS and online registration! Well, Fred doesn't trust his father, so what? No reason to follow us! I hope you left with a scandal?
So it was, Lewis grins. Your mother is a fighter. Fred was shocked.
- And I think it s stupid. We have a mission and we must fulfill it first, Mia whispers. Yes, it s unpleasant that we are being followed, I agree, but when it s all over, the surveillance will be removed, and we will be free people.
If everything ends the way Fred wants, Lewis mutters. - And he needs me to leave you. He doesn't believe that I love you and you are my family.
He just doesn t have a normal woman, that s why he s mad, Elliot grumbles. - Maybe we can introduce him to someone?
Elliot, there is no panther Bagheera in the world that can endure this bear Baloo, Lewis whispers playfully.
But you found yours, I giggle and take his hand.
Is it okay that we left you alone? Lewis asks, looking at the children.
Lewis, Carrick and Grace often left home and we were left alone without supervision. Christian was in charge, and we obeyed him. - Mia laughs. That s when we learned to cook.
I ruffle her hair and feel that I feel good. We sit in the cafe for about three hours, chatting about trifles and discussing Christian's interest in sports. I hope that Dietrich and his sports facility will help my son deal with his anger.
It s already starting to get dark when we leave the cafe. Mia asks to come with us, but I refuse her.
- Bunny, wait until Saturday. I click her on the nose and hug her. Christian tells Mia that we will be together again soon. Elliot and Christian hug us and we go to say goodbye.
Lewis? We hear a warm female voice behind us. A sweet blonde about forty-five in a strange, slightly vintage outfit looks at my husband warmly and tenderly. A blush appears on his face and the same warmth as when looking at Mia.
- Valerie! - he shouts and runs towards her. I understand that she is his sister and I also understand that he loves her madly.
Val, hi, when did you arrive? Lewis asks, hugging her.
- During the day. I called you, but couldn't get through. I wrote to Roger and he says you went to meet the kids. Miss Prothero looks at Mia, Elliot and Christian with warmth and interest. - It's them?
- They. My adopted children. And this is their mother and my wife, Anastasia Steele. Lewis proudly introduces me to his sister.
I like Valerie. She is open, clean and very kind. Despite the fact that she looks about forty years old, at heart she is probably eighteen. She is endearing and the children immediately take a liking to her.
- Guys, let's sit somewhere this weekend, okay? I m running home now, but on Saturday I ll be able to talk to you, Val smiles radiantly.
Come to the housewarming party, Lewis says and his sister nods. Then she turns around and leaves.
Nice woman, Elliot notes. She s like a cosplayer and a tour guide?
On weekdays he leads tours at the Tower, and on weekends he dresses up as Sakura Haruno or Princess Leia and runs around the ancient ruins with his friends. A couple of times she took me with her. There s such positivity and energy, class, Lewis grins. The children agree with him and leave.
Does she practice sex cosplay in Owl ? I ask with a grin.
- No, she doesn t know about Owl . To her, I'm still the voice of London. She doesn't need to know what I do. I protect her. She doesn t even know what I did for a living in my youth and how I supported her. I protect her from my world, Lewis sighs.
But she can find out everything. From your enemies, for example, I say quietly. Isn t it better to tell her everything?
- My enemies are dead. If only Freddy would find her and then... Prothero growls. I ll break his neck if he does anything to it.
At this moment he scares the crap out of me. I shudder and wrap my coat tighter around me.
Back at the owl, I check my email. Fred writes an apology and begs to return to work. I ignore him. For almost seven years I lived for someone, followed his orders, risked myself. Now that's enough! I found a loving and beloved man and I want to live for myself. I delete all my boss s emails and turn on Once Upon a Time in Hollywood on my laptop.
Lewis appears on the threshold of the bedroom with a tray of food and a bottle of wine. He sits next to me, and together we enjoy the evening, the movie and each other...
The morning starts off fun. While going to the bathroom, I bump into Leila. She is drunk, half naked and cheerful. We look at each other for about two minutes, and then we burst into laughter and greet each other.
- Listen, let's go shopping? I think I'm moving here, Ms. Williams says.
I nod at her and shout to Lewis that I m leaving.
Shopping is going great. Leila takes me to the best boutiques in the city, where she and I buy gorgeous dresses and clothes. We laugh, joke and feel absolutely free and happy. We run from one store to another and buy and buy.
At lunchtime I write to the children and they say they miss me. The heart involuntarily contracts. I also miss them terribly... I wish I could move to Escala...
Saturday came suddenly, and here I am standing on the first floor of the Escala penthouse with boxes in my hands. I look around. It's truly luxurious here. Lots of light and space.
Wow, Elliot whistles. - You can roller skate here.
We ll have a great time, Chris notes, putting another box of things on the floor. Mia runs around the first floor of the penthouse in delight and looks around the rooms. I like it here too... New home, new life, new family...
Having unpacked my things and minimally lived in the penthouse, I go up to the second floor and find Lewis standing by the window admiring London.
Luxurious view, I say and hug him.
Our home, where we will be happy, Prothero says, hugging me.