FIREPLACE

The first snow fell that afternoon. The entire Argent family stared at the white expanse they were stepping on.

Moonwood City welcomed the arrival of those cold-blooded creatures with white grains descending from the sky. One by one, they entered the classic-style yard.

The house they were going to make as a new refuge, –a hideout from the Skarsgards' pursuit. The house was much bigger than their previous residence.

Everything looks so comfortable. In fact, Malia smiled a lot since she entered the house for the first time. 

She looks so happy. With her cheerful voice, from Malia's point of view, the atmosphere of the house felt like the atmosphere of the residence of her real family, the Hale Family.

Loui, who had been putting his two feet on the Moonwood ground ever since, only paid attention to all the joys made by Malia. Smile without stopping. Happy Malia is his happinness too. For him, Malia is a happy virus. No. Not just for him, but for all the members of the Argent Family. Malia is one of the sources of happiness they have.

Malia was running here and there, looking for someone who had not appeared before her. "Hey, Leona!" shrieked Malia when she found the figure she was looking for since a few minutes ago.

With half running as well as a mouth humming cheerfully, Malia came to Leona who was standing still in front of a statue of a knight with a sword. 

Leona did not flinch. She was still engrossed in paying attention to all the details in the knight's statue. Malia swiftly grabbed one of Leona's hands when she managed to get to the tall girl.

The girl led Leona to another room, as if she wanted to show her something precious. Leona sighed in resignation. With compulsion he fulfilled Malia's invitation.

The two girls entered the only room with minimal lighting, approaching a large fireplace with cupid statues on its right and left. "Look! This house has a beautiful fireplace. I miss seeing a fireplace in a house." said Malia to Leona, pointing to the fireplace that was burning. 

Malia jumped with joy when Leona also looked at the fireplace he showed her. Her gaze was straight without expression. "What's so special about having a fireplace? Even to get close we would never dare." said Leona curtly. Leona turned and looked at the girl faintly. "Fire will only make us die." She said.

Leona's words successfully faded the smile on Malia's face. Immediately Malia took a cup filled with clear liquid from the round table in the middle of the room.

With a heavy heart, she poured the water in the glass onto the flames. But who would have thought that the flames were getting bigger and bigger, almost grabbing the long mane of Malia, who was standing in front of the fireplace.

Exactly. If at that time Leona didn't move quickly, the mane as well as Malia's tiny body would have been engulfed in flames. Malia was flustered as her nether caught the cold aura emanating from Leona's hazel beads which had now turned red. Which she interpreted as a bad signal. 

From Malia's point of view, Leona was holding back her anger because of her actions. Leona glared at Malia sharply.

The girl immediately lowered her gaze while saying sorry. But Leona did not heed all forms of apology that came out of Malia's valve. Leona continued to stare straight at her as if she wanted to confirm something.

Is Malia hurt? Inner Leona. But it's not Leona if you want to be candid with her feelings. Leona finally opened her voice.

"Be careful next time!" She admonished. "See what's inside the glass is like! At least, make sure it smells first. What you poured was white wine, Malia. Not water. Luckily you're okay." Leona explained with the emphasis on every word she spoke.

The girl moved away, leaving Malia after successfully blurting out all her frustration. Malia turned her head and looked at Leona's back which slowly disappeared from sight. 

She gave her slight smile and then said, "Thanks for saving me, Leona."

"Don't be offended by Leona's coldness," said Loui suddenly. She don't know since when this tall man has been standing on his right side while reviewing the sweet smile of his flagship.

The smile that displayed a deep dimple on his right and left. Making his handsome face look even more charming.

Loui's soft voice always managed to make Malia feel calm even when she was in a state of shock. Malia turned back to her right, glared at the boy who was smiling at her. The smile that always managed to make her heart beat irregularly like this time. 

Either the beat was too fast or it was deaf Loui who was too sensitive to trivial things like that. Loui returned to a smile that was wider than before when she heard Malia's beeping clearly.

Malia smiled when she understood the meaning of that smile. She lowered her head while pressing her chest with both hands. "He must have heard it." thought Malia.

Loui gave a faint, meaningless shake. He stretched out his left hand-rubbed the top of Malia's head gently. A split second later Loui opened his mouth and said, "No offense. Leona is actually worried about you."

Malia turned around, then in the next second she gave a small nod while reviewing a cute smile when her nether eyes caught Loui's warm gaze. 

"Yes. I understand, Loui." She said. "Leona is often cold and snappy, but she always has good reasons for that. I'm not wrong, am I?" added Malia.

Loui nodded without hesitation. He confirmed what Malia had just asked. "Leona just doesn't want you to get hurt, Malia." He stressed.

Now it's Malia's turn to nod. "I know, Loui." softly.

"Ekhm!" Someone cleared his throat; followed by the sound of pounding shoes shouting to each other - getting closer.

Loui and Malia turned to the source of the sound, then looked at someone who was standing in the doorway while folding his hands. The two of them smiled while carrying their respective legs, approaching the figure. Malia chuckled softly when she managed to put her two feet in front of the man who was no taller than Loui. 

"Uncle Stefan. Thank you so much for bringing me to this city." said Malia cheerfully.

"You are already part of our family, Malia. Besides ..." Stefan deliberately hung up his sentence; he turned to his left for five seconds, then looked at Loui, who was looking at the fireplace back there.

"Besides, I don't want my son to be heartbroken if I don't bring you here, Malia." Stefan teased his eldest son.

Unfortunately Stefan's words did not succeed at all to divert Loui's attention from the burning furnace, but Malia was the one who was provoked by Stefan's previous words.

"Who will be heartbroken, uncle?" asked Malia without preamble.

Stefan smiled, then in the next second he laughed softly when his eyes caught the figure of Loui who suddenly turned his head because of Malia's question. "Why do you still call him uncle, Malia?" Loui tried to change the topic of conversation that Malia was about to open. 

Stefan gave a faint nod. He has the same question as Loui. Why does Malia still call him uncle? Didn't they agree in advance to become a family? At least Malia should call him dad like Loui and the others.

Stefan also took part in the conversation that Loui was opening. "Right. Why do you still call me uncle, Malia?" Stefan asked Malia.

Malia smiled awkwardly as the two men looked at her questioningly. The girl scratched her nape. Stefan chuckled again at Malia, who looked so confused by her simple question.

"From now on call me dad. Because ..." Stefan paused. He patted Malia's arm while smiling his trademark smile. The same smile that Loui had.

Loui let out a resigned sigh. He knew very well what Stefan was going to say next. After so long silence, he finally spoke up - trying to stop the next prank.

"Because you are already part of the Argent Family." added Loui.

Without further ado and trying to avoid other pranks, Loui decided to leave Malia with Stefan.

"Uncle?" called Malia doubtfully.

The girl was still willing to stare at Loui's back for a long time, which was getting further away from sight. She didn't even pay attention to the face of the person she was about to talk to at that time. 

"I'm here, Malia." Stefan snapped his fingers as he managed to block Malia's view.

Malia chuckled softly. Feeling embarrassed because he ignored the person he was about to talk to a moment ago.

"Sorry, Unc–" Malia immediately shook her head after realizing her words. "I mean, father. What is wrong? Earlier ... You said that someone would be heartbroken if I didn't come here with you."

Stefan nodded. "Hm. Then?"

"Who is he, father?" Asked Malia again.

Stefan chuckled at Malia's innocent face when she asked the obvious answer. "You really don't know, Malia?" Stefan was curious.

Malia shook her head. "No, father." 

Stefan nodded and replied, "You will quickly find out who I mean."

Malia let out a resigned sigh as she lowered her gaze; staring at the fingers of his hand which he was squeezing.

"Can I hope that the person you mean is Loui?" She thought.