The Way Back Home's

Arrives

The building in front of them was far different from the photos in the house. Much bigger, much more beautiful, and much more magnificent. Not a small wooden cottage, but a three-story building on the foundation of a square-cut stone structure. The walls are made of wood. The window uses clear glass framed light brown wood. Transparent white curtains poking from the side of the window but unable to cover the beauty of the interior in a warm yellow light. Contrast with that ugly name signboard.

Farrell parked the car on the left, next to two other cars. He got down from the car followed by Milo who jumped up in excitement. They walk on the paving road. This street twists, circling the round fountain building. Flower ornaments decorate the body of the pool. Two small dragon statues stood guard on two sides while one large dragon was in the middle. His mouth bit a ball. Behind it, there is the end of the hose. Milo was sure the water would flow out of there if it lit up. But not at the moment. It is not water but snow as well as a thin layer of ice.

“Why should a dragon?” ask Milo.

Farrell turned his shoulders.

A black shadow flashed above them. When looking up, Farrell captured the shape of a bird with white and black spots. “Elang? Here?” His eyes followed where the birds were flying until they were lost behind the inn. Next, Farrell realizes that the bird looks more like an owl than an eagle. White owls that usually dwell in snowy areas.

“See it!” Milo found something else more interesting. Behind the fountain building, there was another parking lot. A black jeep parked. He knows who the owner is.

“Hey, hey! Look who's coming!” A man in his fifties came out from inside the inn. He was wearing a neon green suit and a tie behind a black jacket. The words Eden’s Lodge appear on the left chest. His feet were wearing hairy boots, coming down the stairs nimblely. “My best nieces!”

“Uncle Albert!” Milo scatters at him and gets a hug.

Uncle also hugged Farrell. She watched him closely before patting his eldest nephew on the shoulder. “Wow, Farrell. Now you are higher than me. Even if I used to be more handsome than you. Hahaha... So, who's your boyfriend now?”

Farrell just laughed and shook his head.

“Nothing? Nothing yet? Don't worry, uncle will teach you how to make girls crazy about you.” Uncle continued the next sentence half whispered, “Your aunt was one of them. She's lucky.”

“I'm not sure aunty is happy to hear that,” Milo said.

“Hahaha.. By the way about women, I don't see Libby.”

Farrell glanced at the car, “He's still in the car, sleeping. I intend to wake him after making sure there is no wrong stay.” There was a little honesty in his words.

“Say if you can't wake him,” said uncle. “Good sister, as usual.”

“Good passing, late chattering. Until the girls suspected him,” told Milo again while folding hands.

Uncle laughs. Then, he saw a young man walking beside the inn. The young man had shoulder-length black hair, the edges were tied back. Just like uncle, he also wore a black jacket over a green suit but without a tie. One of the hotel crew. “Hei, Will!” uncle called. “Help these kids bring stuff.”

“Not many. We can bring our own goods,” Farrell said quickly.

“What did you say? The porter's facilities provided any lodging. Let the people here serve you. You're guests. You guys are here to have fun. Isn't that right, Milo?” Uncle blinked one eye at Milo and got a big smile.

Farrell nodded slowly. “OK. I'll wake up Libby.”

“Will I prepare tea and cake for you.”

Uncle turned around to enter, Milo followed behind him. Farrell's headed for the car. The — hotel crew who had intended to approach them at the — entrance now saw Farrell. When eye contact occurred, Farrell pointed at the car. The two met at the back of the car.

“Halo, I'm William. Welcome to Eden’s Lodge. Even if it feels a little strange. I mean, it's your family hotel, isn't it?” the young man said, extending his hand. His face was heart-shaped with brown eyes. Friendly look.

Farrell shook it and smiled. “Family hotel? Yep. I used to manage it, but now uncle.” He opened the trunk. There are three suitcase bags inside. Two large black suitcases and one bright red suitcase. After lowering the three, Farrell asked. “You did not bring... ehm... a train or something to carry this?”

“Hah?”

“Just expression.” William shook his head again, quickly. “Keseleo tongue. Forget it.” Without speaking again, he lifted one black suitcase in his left hand and one red suitcase in his right hand. “I'll be back for that one.”

“No need, let me take it myself.”

“Oke.” William is leaving.

Farrell closed the trunk door and instead opened the back door of the car. Libby's still there, asleep with her doll. Her hair was falling apart on the pillow.

Libby felt her brother's presence. He opened his eyes and sat down. “Are we there?”

“Absolutely. You still sleepy?”

Libby shaking. He rubbed his eyes and spread his eyes. “Where's Brother Milo?”

“Already entered into.”

Libby moved to the side with her doll and then out of the door Farrell opened. When it made its way to the ground, it was only two-thirds the height of Farrell. He's happy about this. Libby always felt safe standing next to her brother. “I'm hungry,” said.

“Good news for you, uncle is preparing tea and cake for us.”

While carrying his own suitcase, Farrell takes Libby into the inn. Lobby atmosphere is different from Farrell's shadow. The reception desk is across from the entrance. The table was made of wood with a stone accent, towering covered whoever was behind it. On the left, there is a kind of sitting room containing a set of large sofa equipped with a coffee table. There are also large box windows facing forward and to the side of the inn.

William found Farrell again. “Let me bring you to room.”

“Thank you.”

A young woman emerges from behind the reception desk. He was wearing a neon green suit anyway. His red hair was tied to a ponytail. While biting his lips, he approached Farrell. Name ‘Emily’ installed in his uniform. “Excuse me,” say slow. “So sir Albert asked you to meet him at the restaurant.”

“Oke.”

Farrell looked at the other room on the right side of the lobby. Both doors opened, revealing a round wooden board on the inside. Posts ‘Resto’ engraved there.

The restaurant has high windows up to the top. This window filled the front and side walls. A bar table complete with high chairs was at the back of the room. The round table line meets the rest. Uncle and Milo are in the front corner. Both of them took off their jackets. When Milo saw Farrell, he immediately waved.

“Hei, Libby!” uncle greeted Libby with a hug. “Yeah, why your doll?” asked the uncle pointing to the stuffed rabbit. The ears are hollow and there are stitches in the legs. “One-time pity. What if uncle gave me a new one? See this, uncle has prepared a gift for you.”

Uncle took a paper bag on the floor. He pulled out a light yellow teddy bear. His neck was tied with red tape. His eyes were from black buttons, shiny when exposed to light rays.

Libby smiling. “Wow, thank you uncle.”

“Let uncle get rid of it for you, yes,” said uncle again as he reached out to take the stuffed rabbit from his niece's embrace.

Spontaneous, Libby exclaims, “No! Toto stay with me!”