Ethan Cole - The Unlimited System

As the meal came to an end and plates were cleared, Ethan, Jordan, and Mark gathered near the living room, casually chatting about where they'd spend the night.

"I don't need anything fancy," Jordan said, stretching with a grin. "Just somewhere clean and close enough so I can check out the nightlife around here. I hear it's not bad."

The look on his face said more than his words. Ethan gave him a tired sigh. Mark just chuckled under his breath.

"Are we talking separate rooms or one shared space?" Mark asked, getting straight to the point.

Ethan shrugged. "I'm good either way."

But something in the way Mark looked at him lingered, a quiet hesitation.

Mark had no issue bunking with others. Years of cramped missions, roadside camps, and sleeping in surveillance vans had stripped away any sense of luxury.

Still, the idea of sharing a room with his employer felt… off. Professional lines blurred too easily in casual settings.

Jordan, ever the mood reader, caught it instantly.

He clapped Mark on the back. "Let's just go with one shared room. Keep it simple. Think of it as a team-building retreat, minus the trust falls."

He grinned again. "Besides, it's not like we'll be hanging around the room all night anyway."

Ethan gave a small smile. Mark nodded, feeling oddly reassured.

For once, it didn't feel like boss and bodyguard. It felt like three people figuring things out together.

"Alright. Finding the place now," Mark stated.

A few minutes later, Mark had already found a nearby hotel online—a well-rated four-star place just ten minutes from Jessica's house.

They were getting ready to head out, just waiting on Jordan, who was still deep in conversation with Julie. As usual, he had no trouble talking anyone's ear off, effortlessly charming his way through small talk.

While they chatted quietly about their plan, Julie suddenly cut in with a bright smile.

"Oh, don't be ridiculous!"

Everyone turned toward her, a little surprised.

She waved them off playfully. "Why waste money on a hotel? Just stay here. We've got more than enough space."

She glanced around fondly. "It's been years since we last had guests anyway."

Ethan offered a polite smile. "That's really kind, Julie, but it's okay. We don't want to intrude. I'm sure Jessica wants to spend time with you and the family."

Julie gave him a pointed look, hands on her hips. "Whether you're here or not, I still get my daughter. Don't think you're that important," she teased with a wink.

Jordan opened his mouth—probably to suggest something that had more to do with nightlife than sleeping arrangements—but Julie cut him off with a look and a raised hand.

Then her eyes landed on Ethan, and her expression softened.

"No more negotiations," she said with a mock-serious tone. "You're staying here. All of you."

Jessica grinned. "Looks like you're stuck with us."

Jordan leaned back in his chair, smirking like he'd just won a prize. "Well, if you insist, Julie. Who am I to refuse a home-cooked breakfast and great company?"

The room filled with laughter. Ethan gave Jordan a look—half amused, half annoyed—but didn't argue. The truth was, he wasn't used to staying at anyone else's place, not even friends'. And aside from Jordan, he didn't have many of those.

Mark nodded silently, his posture still composed, but there was a subtle shift in his expression—something that said he appreciated the gesture.

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Julie clapped her hands once, clearly pleased. "Wonderful! I'll show you to the rooms in just a moment."

The house turned out to be more spacious than any of them had expected. After the hearty lunch and a round of warm conversation, Julie offered to give them a quick tour.

She moved through the halls with a kind of pride that made the place feel even more like home.

"We've got six bedrooms in total," she said with a smile. "The boys—Josh and Joshua—claimed the basement the moment they turned thirteen. Said it felt more like their own 'headquarters' down there."

When Julie opened the basement door and led them downstairs, it felt like stepping into a different world.

The air was cooler, and the scent of furniture polish mixed faintly with the smell of rubber and plastic. LED strips lined the walls, casting a soft blue glow around the space.

Against one side of the room was a full entertainment setup: a flat-screen TV mounted on the wall, two gaming consoles neatly tucked beneath it, and wireless controllers arranged on a custom rack. Posters of action games and football players filled the walls with energy.

But the centerpiece was a handmade table football set in the middle of the room—solid, smooth, and clearly well-loved.

Jessica walked over to it and ran a hand across the polished wooden surface. "Grandpa built this himself," she said with a small smile. "He made it from leftover timber from the porch. Every kid in the neighborhood used to come here and play."

Jordan's eyes lit up. "No way. This thing looks awesome." He was already pulling a handle to test the responsiveness. "It even feels better than the ones in arcades."

At the far end, two double-decker beds had been fitted neatly against the wall, with matching sheets and storage boxes underneath.

A shelf filled with board games, card decks, and old comic books stretched across the opposite wall. There was even a dart board—used, but still standing proud.

"This place is like a dream setup for any teenager," Ethan remarked, taking it all in.

Julie looked over her shoulder with a proud smile. "That's exactly what we wanted it to be. A place where the boys could be loud, messy, and free—without me yelling at them every five minutes."

Jordan chuckled. "So... like a teenage kingdom in the basement?"

"Pretty much," Julie said, laughing. "Except I still have veto power over the volume."

She led the way as they continued the house tour, her steps slow but filled with the familiar rhythm of someone who knew every creaking floorboard by heart.

"I sleep in the master bedroom, just down the hall," she said, gesturing toward the first door on the upper floor. "It's nothing fancy, but it has a nice view of the backyard."

They all smiled, then followed her before she stopped by a door near the living room.

"This one's my father's," she said, her voice softening. "We moved him here from upstairs when things got harder. It's easier for him to move around this way."

Julie lingered there a moment longer, then turned and motioned toward the staircase. "Let's go see Jess's bedroom."

"Is that necessary?" Jessica said with a pout.

"Of course." Julie giggled before gesturing for the others to follow her upstairs.

Next, she opened the door to Jessica's room, smiling fondly. "And this is Jess's sanctuary."

The room was a blend of past and present. A plush bear sat neatly on a shelf next to a row of childhood books.

Across from it, a sleek white desk with a laptop and a few framed photos gave the room a more grown-up touch.

Fairy lights were strung loosely around the window frame, and a corkboard filled with pinned notes and memories hung above her bed.

Jessica chuckled, stepping inside and running a hand across her old bookshelf. "Mom refused to let me redecorate too much. Said she still wanted a piece of the old me around."

Julie grinned. "I have my reasons."

"We still have three spare rooms," she said, her voice picking up with renewed energy. "They aren't big, but they're cozy enough. You boys can pick whichever you like."

She opened one of the doors to reveal a simple yet welcoming room. A single bed with fresh white sheets sat against the wall, with a wooden desk beside it and a window that looked out onto the back garden.

A faint breeze drifted in, carrying the scent of jasmine and cut grass.

"The other two are just like this one," Julie said. "Help yourselves."

Jordan peered inside and let out a satisfied hum. "This is way more than I expected."

Ethan stepped up beside him, nodding in agreement. "It's perfect, Julie. Thank you, really."

Julie patted his arm gently, her touch full of warmth. "You're welcome, Ethan. Make yourselves at home. And if you need anything at all, just holler. We're a loud household. Don't be shy."

With that, the three of them carried their overnight bags upstairs. Ethan let Jordan and Mark pick their rooms first, but Mark shook his head with a calm smile.

"I'll take whatever's left," he said. "You two go ahead."

Jordan immediately claimed the room with the largest window and the softest bedspread, of course.

Ethan took the one across the hall and placed his bag quietly near the bed, his movements slow and thoughtful.

Jessica lingered in the hallway, arms folded loosely as she leaned against the wall.

"Thanks for staying," she said, her voice lower and more sincere than before. "It means a lot to me... and to Mom. After everything that happened, it just feels safer. Easier. With you here."

Ethan paused in his doorway and met her gaze, offering a quiet, genuine smile. "No need to thank us. We're glad to be here."

Jordan's voice rang out from his room, already sprawled across the mattress. "Let's be honest, though—the food was a major factor."

Jessica laughed softly, the tension finally draining from her shoulders. The sound brought a small smile to Ethan's face.

For the first time in a long while, the house didn't feel quiet or hollow. It felt full—of sound, of warmth, of life.

Later that evening, the three of them had changed out of their formal wear into more relaxed clothes. Ethan wore a plain navy t-shirt and joggers, Jordan threw on a hoodie and sweatpants, and Mark, ever composed, wore a dark grey tee tucked into fitted pants.

Ethan sat on the edge of his bed, debating whether to check the growing list of system notifications blinking in his mind.

But not yet.

He glanced toward the window, for now, the world could wait.