JonP.O.V.

As I sit in the chair reading my magazine, Spenser and Mercy are cuddled on the couch. Lui and Evan are running around, playing. Lui is 15 now, and even though he's technically Evan's uncle, it seems more like he's his brother. Although that would be really weird. Because that would mean that Spenser was his dad. I shake my head at that thought, and then Evan comes running in, waving a piece of paper over his head. He runs over to Spenser. "Daddy, daddy, look what I drew you!" He hands the drawing to Spenser, who smiles. "Its me, Lui, you, mommy, and Uncle Jon!" He says, pointing at each person on the drawing as he says their name. "Wow, Evan. This is really good!" Spenser says, and ruffles his hair. Evan blushes. "Lui helped me with it." He says, and Lui shakes his head. "Not really. Evan drew almost the entire thing by himself." Evan beams with pride, then he runs over to me. He leans his arms on my knees, and I put down my magazine. "Hey, little man." I say, leaning forwards, and messing up his hair. He giggles, and then he looks up at me with his big, brown eyes. Just like Lui's. "Uncle Jon, will you tell me a story?" He asks, and I smile. "Of course, buddy." His eyes light up, and he climbs up into my lap. I hold him, and then I look down at him. "What story do you want to hear?" I ask, and he thinks for a minute, then he smiles. "The one about the five knights and the evil dragon!" He says, and I grin. Lui, Mercy, and Spenser all sit attentively. They know this story well. Because although to Evan its only a fairy tale about medieval knights and a dragon, to us, its much more than that. Because this is actually the story about the five of us. Me, Tom, Spenser, Lui, and Mercy. But Evan doesnt know that. And he never will. We gave up that life so that we could have a normal family. And its been nice. But I smile. I lean back, with Evan on my lap, and begin. "Once upon a time, in a faraway land, there were five knights that were the bravest in the land. Sir Rampart, Sir Calibren, Sir Delinous, Sir Mercit, and Sir Ridgewen. These knights were revered by the townspeople, and loved by the king. The five of them were the best of friends. One day, while on patrol, the knights split up, Sir Mercit and Sir Calibren going one way, and Sir Rampart, Sir Delinous, and Sir Ridgewen going the other. The three boys went about their rounds as usual. But that night, when they got back from their patrol, they were surprised to find that their friends had not yet returned. Then one od the townspeople came running up to them and yelled, 'I saw the Great Dragon! It carried off Sir Calibren and Sir Mercit!'" Evan looks up at me with wide eyes. Lui sits cross legged on the floor, and Spenser and Mercy sit on the couch, listening with great interest. They know how the story ends, but they still love to hear me tell it. "The three knights knew that they had to save their friends, so they rode off up the hill to the cave of the Great Dragon. Once they got there, they dismounted their horses, and snuck inside. 'We need to be careful.' Rampart said. 'The Great Dragon might have made a trap!' Delinous had rolled his eyes. 'It is a dragon, Rampart. It cant make a trap. Its not smart enough.' The knights trudged on through the cave, and Sir Ridgwen carried a torch they had brought, the flame that it gave off the only light. They reached a big cavern, and on the other side, they saw their friends, Calibren and Mercit, chained to the wall. Delinous went running to Calibren's side, but when he was in the middle of the cavern, Calibren shouted, 'Delinous! Look out!' delinous looked to his side quick enough to see the Great Dragon swing its tail, and send him flying into the wall." Evan clings to my shirt, but he looks at me with intrigue. I go on. "Rampart and Ridgewen ran over to Delinous, and they helped him up. 'We need to slay the dragon before we can rescue the others!' Ridgewen said, and the others nodded. They drew their swords, and lifted their shields. The dragon took a deep breath, and spewed its mighty fire upon them. The knights raised their shields to protect them, and the fire did not reach them. While the dragon was preoccupied with Ridgewen and Rampart, Delinous had snuck behind it. And, in one swift blow, Delinous plunged his sword deep into the dragons head. The Great Dragon fell dead, and the knights rejoiced. Delinous and Rampart ran to their friends. Delinous hit Calibren's chains with his sword, and it broke. Calibren hugged Delinous, and they were happy. Rampart had broken Mercit's chains, too, and they were hugging. The five knights, reunited, walked out of the cave. Calibren sat on Delinous' horse with him, and Mercit rode on Rampart's horse with him. As the five knights rode back down the hill into the villiage, the townspeople cheered, for the Great Dragon, which had terrorised them for years, had finally been slain. The knights went to the castle, and the king awarded them all medals of bravery. And the five knights, Sir Delinous, Sir Calibren, Sir Ridgewen, Sir Rampart, and Sir Mercit all lived happily ever after. The end." I say, and I look down at Evan. He looks up at me with wide eyes, and he smiles. "I love that story." He says, and Lui nods. "Me too." He says, winking at me. Then Evan yawns, and Spenser goes to get up, but I put my hand out. "Its okay, I got him." I say, and I pick him up. "Come on, little man. Time for bed." I say, and he wraps his arms around my neck. His eyes are half closed as I carry him upstairs. I walk into his bedroom, and I set him down on the edge of his bed. I look at him as I walk to his closet. "Owl pjs?" I ask, and he nods, rubbing his eyes. I pull his owl pajamas out of the dresser, and I bring them over. "Okay, lets get you out of your clothes." I say, and he stands up and pulls his pants off, then his shirt. He stands in just his little tighty whities, and he yawns. I hold the owl pants down for him to step into, and he holds onto my shoulder to balance himself as he pulls them on. Then he pulls the shirt over his head, and I lift him into bed. I pull the covers up over him, and kiss his forehead. "Good night, Evan." I say, and he smiles. "Good night, Uncle Jon." He says, and I turn to walk out the door. "Uncle Jon?" I hear, and I turn around. "Yeah, Evan?" I ask, and he grins. "You tell the best stories. I love you." He then turns onto his side, and closes his eyes. I grin. "I love you too, buddy." I whisper, and I turn off the light, the glow of the stars on the ceiling and the owl night light illuminating Evan's face a little. I smile, and turn and shut the door. I walk back downstairs, and into the living room. "Is he asleep?" Mercy asks as I walk in, and I nod. "Yeah. He fell asleep almost instantly." I say, and she smiles. Spenser puts his arm around her, and she snuggles into him. Lui walks up to me. "I love that story." He says, and I smile. "Why?" I ask, and he grins. "Because its about the time that you came and you saved my life. Sir Delinous rescuing Sir Calibren. Its my favourite story." He says, and I hug him. "Me, too." I say, and Lui wraps his arms around me. Then he yawns. "Well, Im gonna go up to bed, too. Night guys." We all wave at him, and he trudges upstairs. I glance over to Mercy and Spenser, and then I fall back into the chair. "Jon, you do so much for both Lui and Evan. I cant thank you enough." Spenser says, and I smile and shake my head. "No, Spenser. Its you  who I  should be thanking. You were the one who gave me a second chance. I would be lost and alone if it wasnt for you, Mercy, and Lui. Especially Lui. He has given me so much." I say, and Spenser nods. "You two have a bond stronger than I've ever seen." I smile. "He keeps me sane. And he lights my life. You all do." Mercy and Spenser smile. "Well, Jon, Im happy that youre a part of our family. It wouldnt feel right without you." Mercy says, and I smile. "Thank you. I never had a family before I met you, Spenser. And now, I couldnt ask for a better one." Then Lui comes running downstairs. "Hey, Jon, you gonna come say goodnight, or what?!" He says, and I smile. "Be right there, Lui." I call, and then I get up. I turn to Mercy and Spenser. "Good night, guys." I say, and I walk upstairs to Lui's room. He sits on the bed, and then as I walk in, he lays down. "Jon, You're the best brother I could have ever asked for. Nothing against Dean or Spenser, Ive just always loved you best." I feel my heart soar. "You, too, Lui. You are the best thing that ever happened to me. And I am proud to call you my little brother." I say, and Lui reaches up and wraps his arms around me. I hug him tightly. "I love you, Jon." He says softly, and then he lays back on his pillow. He snuggles up, and I bring the blanket to cover him. I walk to the door, and turn out the light. I stop in the doorway, and then turn. "I love you, too, Lui." I whisper, and I close the door.