It was normal for Simone to take his hand, and for that Lewis was not surprised. What he was genuinely surprised about though, was the look of determination on her face when she took his hand. It took him a moment to realize that she was, indeed, worried that he might have taken her hand off, and he agreed internally that he probably would have at that time.

“The gazebo?” Lewis asked with a curious tone. It made sense when Simone explained it, and he smiled. “Of course we can go there.” The true Simone was already agreeing with it, so Lewis swooped down and lifted the younger Simone into his arms. Without waiting for her to have a reaction, he walked over to the ledge of the balcony, and hopped down, making his way to the gazebo.

When they arrived, he set her down, and did a joking bow. “As requested, dear Simone.”

“Than-” She was about to thank him when he picked her up bridal style. She let out a surprised noise as she held onto his neck. Her face had only recently recovered from the blush was now being assaulted again with one. She turned her attention to the gardens and watched. “These look a lot like… Home. The master garden just off to the side of the castle,” she pointed at one of the gardens that Simone had done. “It was designed by my mother before she passed. Father used to tell me she made it for me as my birth present as soon as they found out she was pregnant. He named it the Simone garden but everyone always called it the master garden since that’s where my mother decided all the parties would be.”

She batted her little eyes as he put her down. Giving him a look she squinted her eyes a bit, “What did you do with Lewis?” She chuckled a bit and did a little curtsy at him. Going up to the railing on the gazebo she looked down at all the colored fish in the pond. Her eyes got wide in excitement. She loved it here. “That is a minnow. That is a sunfish. That is a bluegill.” She was pointing out all the fish to Lewis now. “There’s a carp right there!”

She looked down to see some food for them and immediately got it to throw in. She was in her own little world right there and then. “I think this is my favorite spot on the whole island.”

Personally, mine is the Wisteria Tunnel but~ I think I understand where she is coming from with this one.

As soon as the younger Simone was set down, she went about all excited about the spot. Watching her name all of the fish, one by one, brought a heartfelt smile to Lewis’ face. He saw back and let her explore more. It didn’t take her long to find the fish food, and she tossed it to the fishes. This being her favorite spot was amusing to Lewis.

So you all like different things. That’s new. Just watching the young Simone wander about and stare at the fishes was relaxing. I could almost do this all day. Watch her play with the fishes…watch you tend to the gardens… It doesn’t really matter what you do. All of you…

He walked over to the railing, and leaned against it. “That one…there…that carp. That was the first fish I ever caught. I know it’s hard to believe, but you should have seen how excited I was. Well…felt it. I’m sure I just looked normal. But…I was excited. Fishing was one of the first hobbies I ever had. Something I did to try and relax…” He looked over at the younger Simone. “Over there is an entire field of grapes. Figured I’d try my hand at growing them. See where it takes me.”

Simone smirked to herself as she cuddled into Janus. I’m sure every single one of us likes something different somewhere. I like the Wisteria Tunnel because of how much work I put into it. There’s pride. She likes the gazebo because that’s what freedom was to her. The Guide probably likes you the best.

After a few seconds, her thoughts came back. I love all of you too. Even younger prick you.

Young Simone got close to him and looked over the carp. “That takes a lot of time.” She blinked a bit. She remembered him always being away on jobs. “Do you still… kill people? I remember you being gone most of the day but you are here with us.” She squinted her eyes at him. Did he stop?

“Grapes? Are you going to make wine?” She batted her eyes. “Grapes are hard but I believe in you! You are after all the Great Lewis!” Ah, the Great Lewis. She was the one who started it. It had been more as a joke than anything.

Flashback to the tower.

Simone was curled up in front of the fireplace. She had her blanket around her and she was thoroughly invested in trying to embroider something. “Oh come on now…” She fussed at it. “Again?” The string broke on her needle. “Stupid fucking thing.” She had been trying to do it for the better part of an hour however, the needle and thread weren’t cooperating. She let out a loud groan. “I fucking… UGH.” She threw it down and had a pout on her lips.

"….did you just…?" Lewis had wandered in the room, and paused when he heard Simone. "Since when did you start doing that?"

Simone blushed, "You heard nothing. Can you fix this for me?"

Lewis sighed, and walked over, picking it up. "What even is this? What do you need done?" There was irritation in his voice, but he seemed willing to cooperate.

“It’s embroidery. My needle is bent so it keeps breaking the string,” she fussed some more as she picked it up and showed him. “See?”

“Can’t you use your other sewing needles?”

“No, those are different,” Simone held up a regular needle to show him the difference.

“Fine, hold on,” he was irritated but this would make her leave him alone. Once he had it fixed her eyes lit up.

“Thank you!” Then there was a small mischievous smile, “The Great Lewis has many talents I see!”

"'The Great Lewis?' What a stupid name."

“Fits the person,” Simone said under her breath but it hadn’t been missed by Lewis who made a face.

End the flashback.

“Can I keep coming to the Gazebo?”

“Of course you can,” Lewis said with a smile. “As often as you want.”

It was a touching moment, but there was a sudden, strange feeling from the Guide, and what felt like the start of a cry for help. Which was weird, because the true Simone didn’t feel at all in distress, and instead he felt something more mischievous from her. At once, though, it was all cut as the resonance disappeared, stifled by what felt like one of the there Simones.

“Wait here one moment,” Lewis said as he raised his hand to the younger Simone. He opened a gate and stepped through, unsure of what havoc he was about to find. While he was slightly worried for what he may find, he wasn’t panicked. No, this was on their home island. Nothing bad could really happen here…it was impossible.

The true Simone lifted Glynn into her arms and tickled him. His baby giggles filled her ears and her heart was full. The Guide was running around with Everett and Alshaya having the time of her life. “Mama! Play with us!” Everett and Alshaya came over and took her free hand.

“Play with you?” Simone smirked a bit. “I can play with the Guide~”

“Oh no! If you want the kids I can take Glynn.” The Guide waved her hand as she tried to help the True Simone.

Simone passed Glynn off to the kids and winked at them. They were waiting for what would happen. “Simone… what are you doing?” The look on her face! Worry set in.

For the true Simone, she was feeling giddy. All at once, she cut the resonance off as she pounced the Guide and began to tickle her. The Guide was yelling, “HELP, she’s evil!” The guide was flailing but the true Simone was grinning evilly.

“No one will help you! I cut the resonance off!”

The twins had shown up because they felt the resonance get turned off. "NO ONE HELP YOU!" They yelled at the Guide.

"EVIL!"

When Lewis came in on the whole thing, it was a ruthless and hostile situation for the Guide. She was being pinned and tortured by tickles from the kids, and that brought a huge smile to Lewis’ face. Instead of helping, he merely sat back and watched as the guide slowly devolved into laughter and tears, unable to escape.

“My children are masters of their trade,” Lewis said as he crossed his arms, leaning against the wall. “You’ll never escape their wrath.” As the Guide tried to make an escape, Lewis took a few steps forward, and knelt down, reaching out. As the Guide grabbed it, Lewis smiled wickedly.

“And she has fallen for my trap!” He pulled her into his lap, freeing her from the true Simone and the children, only to start tickling her himself. This left her wide open for the children to add back in their torture, and for Simone to join in if she wanted. Even the twins started to get in on it, though they were less effective than they wanted to be. Still, everyone was happily laughing and giggling along.

“Lewlew!” The guide yelled for help. Instead, all she got was an attack.

“We’ve taught the kids well!” Simone laughed as she watched the kids get the Guide. The guide was flailing under Lewis and the kids laughing hard.

The younger Simone had gotten curious about what was going on so she had made her way back into the house. She stood in the doorway watching it all unfold. Watching the family be together and laughing. She was seeing Lewis in a light she had never seen him before.

The True Simone’s eyes snapped up to the younger Simone. The twins were looking at her two.

“Um.” The littlest Simone backed up a bit. “I want to say I am not a part of this.”

“Oh…” The True Simone appeared behind her and she pushed the little one in. “Go be with your family.”

The kids jumped on the little Simone next and she didn’t know how to handle it. “I!” Now the little Simone was in a fit of laughter with the Guide. Jules and Corrine had come in and joined in the fun. The True Simone leaned against the door frame and watched it. Glynn was clapping from his seat and giggling at the fun.

The whole thing was a touching moment, and it wasn’t long before the younger Simone came looking in to see what was happening. Moments later, she was wrapped up in it all, laughing and crying as all of the kids tickle assaulted the two alternate Simone’s. A few minutes in, Lewis untangled himself from the mess, and noticed that the true Simone was off to the side, watching with a smile.

Hey now…you don’t get to escape either, Lewis thought with a smirk. But, maybe he could save her ‘torture’ for later. That brought a deviant smirk from him. But, he pulled his attention back to the other Simones, and clapped his hands.

“All right! It’s time for dinner! Everyone go wash up! Let everyone breath and calm down for a minute,” Lewis said with an authoritative tone. “C”mon. Jules, deep breaths.” He smiled and walked over to help the two Simones up. “All right…let’s get you two ready for dinner too. Dinner is…hectic.”

Simone smirked a bit at him. I hope that’s a promise. There was a sparkle of mischief in her eyes. Simone came over and helped Jules up. She gave him a forehead kiss and was helping him with his breathing. Janus came over and held his hands up. “Oh, we’re walking today?”

“Yeah,” he nodded.

“Good,” Simone smiled and scooped her boy up into her arms giving him a whole bunch of kisses. “Time for dinner,” she scooped Glynn up but he reached his hands out and grabbed Alshaya’s hair not letting go with a few grunts.

“DADDY! HELP! Glynn is pulling my hair!”

“Glynn…” Simone’s hands were full. “Stop being mischievous,” Glynn grunted and squealed as he pulled again.