Lián Xīng came home to the sound of giggles coming from the kitchen. Taking off her shoes and trading them for slippers, she ventured over.

  The sweet smell of her favorite dessert to make Grandfather lingered in the air.

  Sesame balls.

  Leaning against the archway leading into the kitchen, she smiled.

  The kids were on the other side of the counter island while Grandfather Lián Liwei carefully placed their rolled balls into the boiling water with tongs.

  Lián Xīng watched quietly, not wanting to disturb the calm atmosphere, as the kids leaned on the countertop as far as they dared to under Lián Liwei’s watchful eye.

  “Stay back, little ones. The boiling water is dangerous.” Lián Liwei stepped back as an example.

  Lián Xīng looked to the small tower of sesame balls already made closest to her on the corner of the island. Stepping forward, she snuck the top one off the pile.

  “I saw that XingXing.”

  “You weren’t even looking at me.” She pouted.

  She watched Huáng Měi Lán cover her mouth, but the giggles still spilled. Huáng Mùchén still looked at her warily, but the tiniest little smile began to lift his lips slightly. She quickly ate the sesame ball and went to grab another with her mouth still full before a soft rap of a spoon on her knuckles startled her. She blushed before smiling slightly as she saw this time Mùchén couldn’t hold back his laughter.

  Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

  Lián Liwei grabbed the platter and placed the last of the hot sesame balls on it.

  “How long do we get to stay here, Grandpa?” Měi Lán tilted her head to the side and glanced at Lián Liwei and then Lián Xīng.

  “How long do you want to stay, Měi Lán?” Lián Liwei, his gray head bowed as he looked at the little girl, giving her all his attention.

  Měi Lán played with her fingers nervously. “I don’t want to go back to the house. It wouldn’t be the same without Mama.”

  Mùchén nodded, speaking softer than his sister, “It would be too quiet.”

  “Then you can stay here as long as you like.” Lián Xīng spoke and made eye contact with her grandfather, who nodded.

  “But Mr…Mr…” Měi Lán seemed to be having a hard time remembering.

  “Chen something,” Mùchén said in turn.

  “Jiehong, your lawyer.” Lián Xīng filled in the blanks.

  “Yes, him!” Měi Lán exclaimed, “He wouldn’t let us stay.”

  Lián Xīng took a deep breath, this was as good a time as any, she supposed.

  “I spoke with him this morning.” Then she remembered something that would make this maybe easier, “He gave me a message from your mom, and there was one for you both as well that he asked me to pass on.” Waving them away from the kitchen, “Why don’t we sit in the living room where you can watch it.”

  Leading them into the living room, she waited until they were seated to pass the message to Mùchén’s tech brace.

  “Hello, my little ones…” Zhang Limei looked kindly from her hologram image.

  Lián Xīng and her grandfather decided to give the little ones some privacy as they watched the last message from their mother.

  Lián Xīng came back after several moments to see the twins huddled with tears falling down their cheeks. She sat carefully down beside them, offering them a hug, and both launched into her arms, their little tears wetting her sweater.

  “I promised both of you when you were born that I would love you and keep you safe.” Her arms tightened around the two five-year-old kids, she kissed the tops of their heads. “I love you both so much, and from now on, I’m going to make sure I’m here for you no matter what happens.”