Picnic (4)

"Yup, you got it. And I think it is better to keep it this way for now."

"Why do you think so? We were originally planning to have uncle explain it to him."

"Usually that wouldn't be a bad idea, but did you forget how angry he was after all that happened? If he knew that son-in-law has appeared and that he is so weak, do you think he can keep his calm?"

Lara shuddered when she imagined her fathers reaction. Most of the time her father was calm and calculating but when it concerned his family he was completely different. He would have a considerable explosive temperament and those who were daring enough to mess with his family would always end in a bad way. There was once a prince form another country who had once met her older sister and felt such a desire for her that he let go of any decorum. Luckily her sister was much stronger and she managed to defeat him and his lackeys. She even broke one of his legs, but her father thought it wasn't punishment enough and as such he got someone to destroy the princes testicles. Even though everyone knew he was the one who ordered it, nobody dared to ask him to be responsible. But after that nobody ever tried to do anything to his family until the thing with her happened. Not being able to get either revenge or force the offender to take responsibility was his greatest regret.

"Then what do you think should be done?"

"I think it is a great idea to use his connection with brother-in-law to allow him to spend time with Jane, but you can't overdo it. Meeting once or twice a week is fine but not more."

She then looked at Jane and Ivan who were playing around in the water after having changed into swimsuits.

"I have to admit, they look good together and it seems like the contact with him has done her good."

Lara nodded her head, "Yes, she seems more relaxed now then before. And a lot more childish."

"That's good. Children have to be childish. If they are to mature it will hamper their development."

"Then why do you think it's a good idea to send her to a school for much older children?"

"There is not much choice. Even though it is good for children to behave childish, they too have to learn to be mature sometimes and for her the time was early. We can't roll back time so we have to work with what has happened and as such she is already much more mature than others of her age."

They then talked a bit more about how to raise children and Miranda even gave her tips on how to handle a husband, which Lara tried to reject with the comment, that they weren't really husband and wife, but on which her mother insisted that she knew them.

After playing around for a long time Jane finally got tired and they decided to end the picnic. When they were back at their cars and said goodbye to Miranda she reminded Lara, "Remember what I thought you."

Hearing this Lara blushed and thought to herself, *Who would ever need this?*.

When Jane heard these words she tried to find out what her grandmother meant with that but her mother was adamant in rejecting her questions, so she could only give up and pout.

Because she had used up to much energy she then fell asleep on Ivans lap shortly after they had boarded the car. On her face there was still a huge grin.

On the front seat Lara and Carl talked in a small voice about what she had discussed about with her mother and they changed their plans based on that.

After they arrived at the villa Ivan carried the still sleeping Jane into her room and put her on her bed, before putting a blanket on her.

When he came back to the living room Carl and Lara were sitting on the couch and chatted while drinking tea. When he saw this harmonious scene he hesitated to go down the stairs. Luckily the decision was taken away when his mentor called him.

"Ivan come here, so we can discuss the further course of action."

Ivan sat down next to his mentor and like magic the housekeeper appeared with another cup of tea. "Thank you."

As all the times before he had thanked her she only nodded and then vanished once again. He was really wondering if she had a skill that allowed her to do it or if it was only her experience.

"We have decided to not inform my father just yet.", Lara started the conversation.

"Why? Wasn't the plan to let mentor do it?"

"Yes, but my mother who knows my fathers temper even better than me told us not to do it yet."

"Oh.", to be honest Ivan didn't really care about whether they informed her father, which showed in his face as well as his response.

"You better care if my father finds out about it early since I am sure he is going to come after you if he does."

"Oh?", this time there was a tinge of fear in his reply. He wasn't sure about her fathers might but since his mentor seemed to think he was strong then there was no way he could contest against him.

"Is 'Oh' the only thing you can say? Whatever just make sure you aren't found out."

"Oh. I guess then that I can't stay at the villa anymore?" Just to anger her he once again started his sentence with an 'Oh' and the effect was evident as she stared angrily at him.

"Correct, so go back to where you came from.", she then blurted out angrily.

"Hey, you were the one who asked me to come here.", he just couldn't stop since the look at her face was priceless. In all the time he had known her, which admittedly were only about a day, he hadn't seen such a vivid expression on her face except when she was talking with her daughter.