"My love, I treat you like the grown man you've become. I see a man before me, not a little boy. You've truly grown up before our hibernation... I saw you as that wonderful, special boy!" She breathed softly as she moved closer to him, gently wrapping her arm around him and turning him to face her. His red eyes shone with passion and love. They were nearly the same height. She continued,

"You know, from the moment I looked at you, I knew you were a man, and that you would be with us, taking care of your little brother and protecting your siblings, my dear!" She cupped his cheeks in both hands, gently tracing the contours of his cheekbones, his defined jawline, and down to his collarbone, marveling at her son's strength and physical and mental development.

He replied in a halting, quiet voice:

"I...I'm sorry for disrespecting you, Mama! I promise I'll be better now." He stepped back to look at her.

Sevatlana responded with genuine tenderness and warmth, stroking his hair and feeling his soft, tiger-like ears.

"It's alright, my dear. Just remember that Mama loves you, OKAY!" She leaned in to plant a soft kiss on his cheek, then quietly withdrew.

Romalen and Leioaro looked at each other warmly, relieved that the tension had lifted... for now.

Sevatlana stepped back to give her son one last warm look. He smiled, a slight blush rising to his face.

"Ah! DON'T embarrass ME, Mama. I'm fine now. I'll help you with ANYTHING!"

"That's the spirit! My boy!" Sevatlana exclaimed, her voice cheerful and excited.

"That's the spirit, MY BOY!"

"Mom, you told us you had a special plan for us and all that!" said Lyuyaro, shifting her weight to the other foot.

Sevatlana smiled a small, mischievous smile, looked at Allen, and said firmly,

"Do you have any 'RED BERRY' and 'LOTUS WINE'?"

Allen blinked in surprise at his mother's request after the tension between them.

"Oh, YES!, Mom, it's here! But why?"