Harry rolled his eyes and exhaled a long-suffering sigh. “We’re children, for criminey sake.”
Harry was the baby in their little family. He hung close to Jane while George was more independent. George was the brainier one, and he was quite verbose. Unlike her, George loved classic literature, just like their mother. He wanted to be a famous writer, just like his favorite author Jane Austen, when he grew up.
“Okay, cut it out you two, we have a guest.” Jane gave John an embarrassed look as he stepped inside.
“Is this the guy you’re talking about?” Harry asked urgently, pointing up at John, “is he gonna be our new big brother?”
“Y-yes, sort of. And it’s not polite to point at somebody, Harry.” Jane pushed Harry’s hand down. “John, these are my brothers, George and Harry.”
“Hey there, kiddos,” John said amicably, smiling at both of them and crouching down to Harry’s level, reaching out to ruffle his hair. “So you two are the ones lucky enough to have Jane as a big sister?”
Harry blinked at John, then peered up at Jane again. More perceptive than he looked, he seemed to pick up on Jane’s general uneasiness, and she could tell he was looking straight through the forced smile on her face. He turned back to John with a slightly more suspicious look in his eyes, hugging Jane a little tighter rather than responding.
“I apologize for my brother’s lack of manners. Harry can be somewhat overprotective of our older sibling,” George spoke up. For an eight-year-old kid, he was extremely articulate. “She has been the only one looking out for us all this time, you must understand.”
John watched him with a smile. “Jane told me you’re a smart cookie. Do you always speak in such big words, George? I’m impressed.”
“I was told I’m wise beyond my years. I could have skipped ahead to tenth grade, but then who would watch after Harry if we’re in different classes?”
“A-ha. So you’re a child prodigy? I know someone who is also a genius. She makes video games.”
“Video games?” George sniffed haughtily. “I wish the government would ban video games. They make children dumb.”
“Oh? How so?”
George gestured to his twin. “Ladies and gentlemen, I present Exhibit A. That stupid little game enslaves him day in and day out. Harry doesn’t want to do anything but kill zombie plants. I can already tell he’s a lost cause.”
Harry stuck out his tongue. “I don’t need to be a genius because I’m gonna be a construction worker. Construction workers make big money. I’m gonna make big money, too, so Janey doesn’t have to work.”
“Now, now,” said John. “You don’t have to worry about that, Harry. From now on, I’ll be taking care all of you.”
“For how long?” George pressed.
“Forever.”
“Is that so? This isn’t what Jane told us.” George glanced up to her with questioning eyes. “What’s the catch?”
“There’s no catch. Jane is going to be my wife. It’s only proper that, as the man of the house, I take care of my family. That includes you two.”
George remained pessimistic.
“I guess trust doesn’t come easily for you, huh?” John noticed.
“Adults lie. Except Jane. She never lies to us.”
“Well then, I’ll just have to start to earn your trust.” John got up and pulled a chair over to where George sat. “I heard from Jane the two of you have more than a few reasons to be cautious these days.”
“I’d say more than cautious,” George said, setting his book aside and hopping down from the bed. “Despite my well-known peanut allergy, I’ve found my school lunches had been laced with peanuts on more than one occasion. Last week, I was careless and had an allergic reaction. Luckily, I always carry my Epi Pen with me, and the school nurse is well-trained. But that was a close call. And Harry has had a few run-ins of his own.”
“Someone tried to push me down into a pit while I was walking home from school!” Harry piped up. “I remember ‘cause it was at a construction site, and I was looking up at the huge crane! One of the workers caught me! She was super strong, and I wanna be just like her when I grow up!”
George gave his brother a somewhat condescending smile, but raised his eyes back to John. “In any case, while we’re quite aware of the circumstances, it’s a pleasure to meet you nevertheless. I apologize for those compromising photographs I had to take of you.”
“So you’re the brave little investigative journalist?” John laughed, and George gave a knowing smile. “Well, regardless, I’m very happy to meet you both, and if you don’t mind,” he took the box containing the pair of rings from his pocket, holding it out to the twins, “we have a wedding to attend, and
I’d be honored for you both to be a part of it.”
* * *