Chapter 1 Prologue

• Dylan yawned as he sat up. He looked at his single room flat in gloom and got out. His feet touched the cold floor and groaned. So much for being independent. His parents' house was warmer.
• Dylan brushed his teeth and glared at his curls. His friends say that they make him look good but he was not so sure. Some of the jerks he had dated called it girly. Fuck them, he thought as he tamed the hair and went and opened his fridge and found an egg. He made himself an omelette and drank a packet of milk and rushed out.
• He was practically skipping as he reached his workplace. He looked at the florists and smiled. This was his dream. He loved taking care of plants. He has a garden just behind the shop. He opened the door and entered. He smiled at the sets he had prepared the day before. They will be delivered to houses. He has three delivery partners. One is a college student who does part-time. Another is his schoolmate Katie and the third is Kieran, a buff man who did it for fun and of course, Dylan thinks, to hang around Katie. He had been asking her out once every month for the past one year and she had been declining. He is a bunny and is like a brother. Dylan smiles sadly as thoughts of the family comes in and he went to look at his flowers.
• Dylan was twelve when they met with an accident. His dad is still alive, in a wheelchair. Dylan takes care of his expenses and visits him every day. It was hard, moving out of the house, but it was getting painful for him.
• His father simply existed and he kind of hated everything a bit. Mostly a silent man. He always says "It was her who kept me sane, son".  Dylan can't hope to understand what he was trying to say but he can always support his dad in all possible ways. His dad's house is one block away from his apartment and his business is one block further away.
• Dylan looked at the new orders placed in the system and started the preparation. By then Kieran came and took some of the stuff for delivery.
• Dylan looked at the roses. All looked great. He picked the light yellow coloured ones. When it was time for lunch, he went to his dad's house. Sure enough, the maid has made sure he is attended to. Now he was watching the news on TV.
• "Dylan," he looked up.
• Dylan smiled as he potted the rose and kept it near his dad's study and came over and hugged him.
• "I missed you. Now, What will you have for lunch?" asked Dylan even though he knew the answer.
• "Whatever you are having, son, and come quick," said dad. Dylan smiled as he made lunch for both of them and had it together. He sat around to speak with his dad as the college student, Aleo would already have reopened and he can have a breather now.
• His dad asked him to read from where they left off. Dylan helped him sit in the sofa comfortably and curled up near his dad as he took the book 1984. He read it out loud. Once his dad was asleep. He made dinner for him and kept it in the fridge. He also left a slip saying he will drop in for dinner.
• He smiled as he was on his way back to work. Life was good. It was way better than when they were struggling to make ends meet after both the income sources were stopped by one accident. His dad had still helped and ensured that he got through school. He was now doing an evening course for his graduation.
• Once he got to work, he saw Katie was handling the orders. She smiled seeing him.
• "How's the dad?" she asked.
• "Good, asleep now. He would be glad if you drop in," said Dylan and relieved her from the desk. He soon took the rest of the orders, set the flowers and looked at Aleo who gave him a thumbs up from the reception area.
• Dylan left for college. He did not have a car, so he mostly walked. It was not like he had to travel much. He was wary of meeting people, so he never does the flower delivery himself.
• Talk about anti-social 19-year-olds. Dylan snorts to himself as he reaches the college. He doesn't have many friends here. All were preoccupied with something and were here out of absolute necessity. So, they minded their own business and that was fine by Dylan.
• Katie came to pick him up as usual. They went to his shop and Aleo was already closing up. Dylan closed the accounts and Katie waited and dropped him at his dad's house. She also accompanied him.
• Daniel nodded to Katie as she hugged him and asked how he is.
• "I am good. You should drop in more often," said Daniel.
• "I will uncle," she smiled. They had dinner. Dylan tucked his dad into bed and made sure that the caretaker got back.
• The man smiled at him. Eliza was a good man. He is a widower with a young son. The child was merely four. He was also with him.
• "Hey champ," smiled Dylan.
• "Hi," the kid blushed. His name is Caleb.
• Caleb saw his dad and ran to him.
• Dylan saw him climb up his dad's lap.
• He looked at Eliza.
• "Thank you," he said and hugged him and left.
• Katie looked at him as they were on way back home.
• "Do you think they are-? " asked Katie.
• "Maybe. I did feel a bit jealous seeing Caleb being so close to dad. But hey I guess we all deserve each other. Anyway then he would be my little brother," said Dylan.
• "Do you think his intentions are good? I don't know him," said Katie.
• "What does he stand to gain by being deceitful? There is nothing. It's just me and dad," said Dylan.
• Katie nodded, agreeing.
• Dylan sighed as he went up to his flat, giving a kissy goodbye to Katie who swatted him on the head and sent him on his way.
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• Dylan almost laughed seeing his dad struggling to tell him something. Eliza was still there. Caleb was asleep on the couch.
• "Dylan, I know it's against work ethics, but it sort of happened," said Eliza looking down.
• "I- Dylan, after your mom- I never thought something like this would happen," said Daniel.
• "We are in a relationship," said Eliza.
• Dylan was silent as he looked at them both.
• "Are you happy?" he asked his dad who smiled and nodded.
• "Good, " smiled Dylan and turned to Eliza and hugged him.
• "Welcome to the family," said Dylan.
• Eliza looked at him in surprise at first and then fondly and hugged him tightly.
• "Thanks, Dylan," said Eliza.
• "You can call me Dyl like dad," said Dylan smiling, trying to put Eliza at ease. They wouldn't want to scare the man away. He looked at Caleb.
• "He wouldn't mind?" asked Dylan.
• "I don't think so. He adores Dan," said Eliza, his cheeks going red at having blurted how he addresses Daniel.
• Dylan smiled and looked at his dad.
• As Dylan bid them good night and got to leave, Eliza accompanied him to the door.
• "I hope I don't have to threaten you and all. I - I hope you both will be there for each other," said Dylan.
• Eliza smiled.
• "You know your dad wishes you were closer though he would never say it," said Eliza.
• "I- I moved out because I didn't want dad to feel that he has to support me now. He never said anything," said Dylan.
• "I know, but I thought I will let you know," said Eliza.
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• Dylan glared at the predatory men who practically scanned him head to toe. They were customers. There was often a few customers who end up being creeps whom Dylan couldn't wait to be rid of. And he was thinking of expanding. He sighed. He will have to make new plans because he has plans to move the business to an outskirt area. Also, he had finally decided to get himself a car. He was also thinking of moving back in with his dad, Eliza and Caleb. Eliza and Caleb are yet to start living in. But, Dan has asked Eliza. Dylan was happy for his dad and Eliza and little Caleb.
• He sighed. That decision was made. He went home and saw Eliza was in the kitchen as Caleb played in the hall as Dan was on watch.
• "Hey Dyl," smiled Eliza looking at him.
• "Hey," smiled Dylan.
• "I thought about what you said," said Dylan.
• Eliza smiled as he looked up from the dish.
• "I think I will move back in," said Dylan.
• Eliza patted on his shoulder.
• "He will be very pleased," said Eli.
• "And you and Caleb?" asked Dylan.
• "I am extremely happy too, Dyl and you can ask the little tyke yourself," smiled Eli.
• Dylan smiled and went out and sat down next to Caleb who looked at him.
• "So, Caleb, do you know who I am?" asked Dylan as he looked at the building blocks Caleb was doing.
• "Yeah, brother," said Caleb slowly and peeking a look at him.
• "Do you want a brother?" asked Dylan placing his hand around Caleb.
• Caleb nodded.
• "Good, thanks," smiled Dylan and dropped a kiss on the tyke's forehead.
• Dylan looked at his dad who was smiling looking at them both.
• "Would you mind if I moved back in?" asked Dylan.
• Daniel looked so surprised and then smiled.
• "This is your house Dyl, Of course, I wouldn't mind having my son close," said Daniel.
• Dylan nodded.
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• Dylan came over for dinner when Daniel said "I think we should move the house before we start afresh- I - all the sufferings, memories-. He specifically doesn't say Dyl's mother's but it was understood and Dylan did not disagree. It wouldn't be forgetting mum. It would be honouring her in a way. She would want them to move on.
• "Then why don't we find a house in the outskirts. I am planning on expanding but I want to do it bigger. Outskirts would be better," said Dylan.
• Daniel and Eliza looked at each other. After a minute when Dylan and Caleb both looked at their parents, they said yes.
• "I don't have to go to this play school?" asked Caleb hushedly to Dylan who shook his head.
• Caleb sighed and smiled brightly.
• "Good, they are all mean," said Caleb.
• "I feel you, buddy," said Dylan.
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• Daniel or Eliza did not allow Dylan to spend a rupee on the house. Dylan scowled. When they went looking for houses, one with a huge garden struck his parents as ideal and Dylan knew it was for his sake. How could he not consider Eliza a parent when the man takes care of him like he does Caleb and his dad.
• Dylan looked at the house. It was an old Georgian house. They did quite a bit of remodelling inside. Dylan and Caleb had nearby rooms while the parents had a bigger room. They also made ramps even though Daniel can walk with a walking stick.
• Dylan looked at the hall. He tickled Caleb who was covered in paint. He saw Kate and Keiran help Eliza with the unpacking. Aleo was helping Daniel with the ramp.
• Dylan was so happy. He looked at the gardens, Caleb hanging if his one arm. Dylan hitched him up on his hip and they walked around looking at the plot.
• "I want a swing," said Caleb.
• "We will build a swing," said Dylan reassuringly.
• Dylan smiled as he threw Caleb up in the air and caught him.
• "It's time for lunch, come along, both of you," said Eliza and both went inside. Their dining table can seat ten people.
• Dylan and Caleb wondered why they needed this big a table. The answer had brought the same reaction out of the nineteen and four-year-olds.
• "When you get married, where will we make our children in law sit?"
• Dylan and Caleb looked at each other in shock at that point. They all sat down and had the lunch Eliza cooked.
• After that, the friends bid their byes and Aleo will manage the centre back in the city with Katie and Keiran. Keiran will collect the daily deliveries carted from here.
• Living in the outskirts was nice. There was better exposure to the countryside and they could plant more. Dylan turned one part into a nursery for plants which they sold. He had his dad and Eliza helping all the way. Dad would man the counter while Eliza helped with the plant care along with Caleb.
• "Can I suggest something?" asked Dylan.
• Both parents looked up.
• "I was thinking, we have acres of plot left which is not utilised. I was wondering if we can - I dunno make it a cattle farm in the other end. I mean the grounds are big and I what Caleb to have something of his own when he grows up. I will manage it for now," said Dylan.
• "Can we discuss this a bit?" asked Dad. Dylan nodded.
• Daniel and Eliza were talking to each other.
• After dinner, when the family sat around, Caleb watching a cartoon as he curled around Dylan. The parents sitting on the other side.
• "We agree. We have been thinking what to do now that we have left what works we were doing. Your dad will still be contributing to the publishers, but I have quit the job and we thought of doing something. We were thinking a bakehouse which we plan to register in both of your names. So, yeah farm is a good idea, we will be self-sufficient to an extent. We will need more staff though," said Eliza.
• Dylan was silent for sometime before saying "After Katie and Keiran started dating, they are looking to settle somewhere. Maybe I can persuade them. We can trust them too. And Aleo can manage the city centre alone or we will hire a few people there," said Dylan.
• They also hired a few local hands who were good kind people looking to feed their family. Caleb also got his swing. All the work area was picketed off by Dylan because he didn't want work to become that mixed with their life. They had a baker service where they take huge orders and send them.
• Dylan was happy. He sat in the lawn as he watched Caleb run to him as the kids who played with him said something. His brother was an absolute bud who would be sad if someone as much as glared at him.
• Dylan rocked him and rebuked the kids who apologised. Caleb accepted their apology.
• "Now, you have got to be a big strong man. Not like me, a better man," said Dylan.
• "You are better," pouted Caleb.
• Dylan laughed and hugged him closer.
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• "So, Dylan is not your son?" asked a nosy lady who came to buy a cake.
• Eliza looked upset from her cross-questioning.
• Dylan walked over to him hearing it.
• "Hi Mrs Mader, you seem to have a lot of questions for my Papa. May I help you?" asked Dylan.
• The woman looked taken aback.
• "No, Dylan, Thank you," she said and left.
• He turned to look at Eliza who was looking at him with an indecipherable expression.
• "I know I shouldn't have taken the liberty-" Dylan started to babble.
• Eliza hugged him and kissed him on both his cheeks and forehead. Dylan noticed Eliza looked tearful. He wiped his eyes.
• "If you meant it, I would love it if you continued calling me - " Eliza broke of looking unsure.
• Dylan smiled.
• "Papa," he said.
• Eliza nodded. Caleb rushed in and that was when they noticed Daniel's presence and both smiled at him as Dylan got Caleb up so that he can see above the kitchen stand.
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• Dylan set up a date for their parents in the field. His dad had said that he wanted to propose to Eliza. So, Dylan decided to do his and Caleb's part in it.
• They smiled as they watched Papa become emotional as he accepted. He looked at them both and motioned for them to go. Both ran to them and were enveloped in a family hug.
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• The wedding was simple and beautiful. They had Dylan led Eli to the wedding while Caleb led Daniel.
• Daniel adopted Caleb while Eliza adopted Dylan. Dylan had agreed when Eliza asked.
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• Dylan was in slumber with Caleb tucked close to his body. Whenever Cal had a bad dream he would come running.
• Kate rushed in and shook them awake.
• "Your Papa seems to be unwell, Dyl," said Kate and Dylan and Cal sat in shock and soon they ran down.
• Eliza had been showing signs of distress for a couple of weeks now and had insisted that he is okay and the distress was due to change in climate, probably.
• But Daniel and Dylan had insisted and so they had an appointment for the weekend. Eliza was puking his guts out and was showing severe signs of fatigue. Dylan and Katie helped him sit. Keiran had gone to get a doctor.
• The doctor arrived and checked him. "How old is he?" asked the lady.
• "He is 43 next month," said Daniel.
• "Hmm, it shouldn't be a risk. 43 is not too old to carry a child. He should be fine," said the doctor.
• All gaped. Daniel looked at Eliza who was still asleep and unaware and then at his sons and the others.
• "Congrats dad, you are getting another child," smiled Dylan.
• "And Congrats Caleb and me, we are getting a baby brother or baby sister," said Dylan awed. He looked at the doctor.
• "Papa will be fine right?" asked Dylan.
• "We don't want his health to be in risk," said Daniel.
• "Don't worry. I am doing some tests and you come for regular checkups and he should be fine," said the doctor.
• All three nodded.
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• Daniel told Eliza what happened. Eliza hugged Daniel and the kids let them have their moment.
• Then both came looking for them. "You both, Are you both okay with it?" asked Eliza looking unsure.
• "Yes Papa," said both Dylan and Caleb, excited.
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• Eliza was amused as he had three people to wait on his head and foot. Eliza smiled as Caleb was rubbing one of his sore legs while Dylan was rubbing the other. Daniel sat leaning on the bed by his side.
• Throughout the pregnancy, all three had been behaving like this. He absolutely adored his three boys. The only thing he worried about was that Dylan will be 21 in six months and the marriage arranged for him will have to take place. They don't know who it has been signed to. They will be able to find out only when the lawyer gives the documents on Dylan's 21st birthday. Eliza dreaded that day. He just got his son a few years back and did not want to part with him so soon. And who knows what kind of a guy he would end up with!
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• Eliza looked at his third son and smiled. He was sure their son will look more like Daniel. He looked at the backyard to see Dylan chasing Caleb who is giving his older brother a run. Daniel is smiling indulgently as he keeps an eye on the grill.
• It is Caleb's birthday.
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• Dylan smiled as he caught Caleb who was running like there was no tomorrow. He caught Cal who scowled.
• "I don't wanna meet them bro," he pouted.
• "I know baby. But we have to. It is manners and you will get gifts," said Dylan.
• Caleb gave in and Dylan carried him back.
• Daniel and Eliza exchanged a worried glance. They were both thinking of Dylan's betrothal.