Winter in Czanch was bone-chilling.

Edwin bundled up in a thick sweater and made his way to Dylan's car.

Seeing the fancy gifts in the trunk and Dylan's robust physique, Edwin figured Dylan had put in some serious effort over the past couple of years just to please Olivia.

Trying to please a woman could be a real chore.

Edwin took two packs of smokes from the pile of gifts. "My father quit. These are mine."

Dylan turned and handed him a cigarette. "Where's Olivia?"

Glancing at his watch, Edwin replied, "She's out shopping with our Mom. By the way, your son is asleep. You can go and check on him. He's probably wetted his diaper again.”

After setting down the presents, Dylan greeted Mark and headed inside.

Mark glanced at his son. "So you just let him waltz in?"

“Or what? Do you want me to charge admission?" Edwin quipped.

Feigning annoyance, Mark huffed. "Forget it! We've got spare rooms aplenty. He can pitch in with the baby. It might ease your sister's load, after all."

Edwin knew his father wasn't really mad at Dylan.

He sided with Mark and strolled through the garden with him. Mark wandered to the wisteria tree, pointing at it. "Back in the day, my mother used to bring your mother here to trim the beans. But your mother wasn't too handy with that stuff."

Mark's eyes glistened with tears. He missed his mother.

Edwin felt a pang of sadness too.

His mother had mentioned Mark's fondness for exercise. Even at his age, Mark insisted on running a few miles daily. Though he didn't voice it, Edwin knew his father wanted to stay healthy and live longer for his family. Despite wishing Olivia would find a better match, Mark never pressed her.

Edwin used to reassure himself that Mark had years ahead of him.

But, as time ticked by, Mark was truly showing his age. He wasn't as sprightly as he had been before.

So Edwin made regular visits, bringing the kids along.

A third of the family business had shifted to Czanch. Relatives turned to Edwin for decisions on nearly everything, now that Mark had retired. But time waits for no one.

“What's on your mind?"

Noticing his son's distracted look, Mark sensed what was brewing.

Edwin was mentally calling him ‘old' again.

Edwin grinned.