The rich aroma of butter and baked apples wafts from Long Island Estate's kitchen.
Lynn is wearing an apron and placing a plate of freshly baked apple pie on the island table.
Several little guys immediately gathered around like cats that smelled meat.
Reggie was even wearing his blue one-piece pajamas, staring longingly at the bubbling caramel in the baking pan.
"Be careful with the iron, Reggie."
Lynn picked up a wet towel and gently patted the back of Reggie's hand, causing the little black man to quickly retract his hand, but his eyes were still glued to the apple pie.
Annie stood aside obediently holding a stack of clean plates, while John was responsible for distributing forks.
Golden Retriever Buddy was circling around their feet, wagging its tail like a propeller, trying to get some of the fallen pie crust.
"Lynn, where should we go to play this weekend?"
John handed the fork to Tommy, raised his head and asked.
His Azure eyes were shining with anticipation.
Since being disturbed by Vogelbaum on Lawn a few days ago, Lynn, in order to appease the children, agreed to take them outside the Manor this weekend.
Not in the closed training base of Vought International, but to really go and see the outside world.
"I have made arrangements. Tomorrow is Saturday, and we will go to the greenhouse and botanical garden of Manhattan Central Park."
Lynn cut the apple pie with a knife and said with a smile, "I have asked Madelyn to clear an independent greenhouse venue in advance. There will be no messy reporters and Video Camera. We can bring picnic mats and have a good lunch in the sun. Kevin can also take his fish to see real tropical aquatic plants."
Upon hearing the news, there was a burst of cheers in the kitchen.
Going to the outside world has a fatal attraction for these children who grew up in underground laboratories.
Although they can now play on the Manor and Lawn every day and behave like ordinary children, they are still full of longing for the scenery outside the high wall.
"Can I bring my picture book?" Annie divided the plates and asked with a raised face, "I want to draw some real flowers and give them to Lynn."
"Of course, you can bring whatever you want."
Lynn divided the sliced apple pie on the plate and handed it to them, "But each person can only carry a small schoolbag and organize their own things. If anyone stays in bed tomorrow morning and misses the departure time, they will have to stay in the Manor and accompany Buddy to look after the house."
John took his plate and walked to the corner of the bar to sit down.
He cut a small piece of jam-covered apple pie and put it into his mouth. The sweet and warm taste made his eyes narrow slightly.
He liked this feeling very much.
There are no cold and heartless instruments, no white walls, and no researchers whispering beside them with notebooks.
There is only the aroma of food, the noise of family members, and the gentle smile of Lynn.
This is what life should be like.
After finishing their midnight snack, the children went back to their rooms to prepare the items they would bring for tomorrow's spring outing.
Lynn took off his apron and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window in the living room.
Manor The night outside was very quiet, and the wind rustled through the oak leaves.
But there was a vague intuition in his heart that was uncomfortable.
Early the next morning, the sun shone through the gaps in the curtains and onto the wool carpet in the corridor.
Before seven o'clock, Manor was already busy.
Reggie was running back and forth in the corridor like a tireless top, urging Tommy who was still brushing his teeth slowly.
Kevin held his special little kettle and seriously told Charlie inside about how many strange and strange trees there would be in the greenhouse botanical garden.
John was carrying a blue backpack with cartoon stars printed on it and stood quietly in the living room waiting.
His bag contained a bottle of water, two packs of cookies Lynn baked yesterday, and a spare thin coat.
This was the first time he went on a spring outing like an ordinary primary school student. Although he didn't yell like Reggie, the slightly raised corners of his mouth still betrayed his good mood at the moment.
Lynn put on a casual linen shirt and trousers and walked downstairs with the car keys in his hand.
Looking at the little guys getting ready in the hall, he nodded with satisfaction.
"Very good, we are not late. Check whether your shoelaces are tied, we are about to set off."
Two black SUVs have parked at the door of the Manor.
In order to ensure absolute safety, Vought International sent an elite security team to follow in secret.
Although it is not certain who will protect whom, Lynn did not reject this arrangement.
After all, children's status is too special, and walking on the street will inevitably cause unnecessary commotion.
It is still necessary to protect citizens and maintain order.
John followed Annie and got into the back seat of Lynn's car.
The boy was lying next to the car window, watching the trees outside slowly retreating. The bright sunshine shone on his golden hair, reflecting a warm and soft halo.
He turned his head and looked at the profile of Lynn in front of him who was concentrating on driving.
"Lynn, we will always live like this, right?" John suddenly asked softly.
Lynn glanced at him in the rearview mirror, smiled and nodded.
"Of course, we are a family and no one can change that."
Soothing country music was playing in the carriage, and two black cars drove smoothly along the flat road in the direction of Manhattan.
Central Park's greenhouse botanical garden is like a huge crystal palace.
The morning sunlight penetrates the arched glass dome and shines on the tropical broad-leaf plants that are rarely seen in ordinary times, making the entire space full of vitality.
Due to Vought International's early intervention, this area has been completely cleared. Except for a few security personnel disguised as gardeners on the periphery, there are only a few children of Lynn and Vanguard Camp in the greenhouse.
The air is filled with moist earthy smell and faint floral fragrance.
"Lynn, look at this, it's bigger than my head!"
Reggie excitedly pointed at a huge Venus flytrap and was about to reach out to touch it, but Lynn quickly slapped his claws away.
"That's a carnivorous plant, Reggie. Although it can bite your fingers, the slime on it will keep you from eating pizza all day."
Lynn warned with a smile, then turned to look at the others.
Annie has found a place with the best light Lawn. He obediently spread out his drawing board and carefully drew a clump of birds of paradise not far away with a colored pencil.
Kevin carefully placed the kettle containing Goldfish Charlie next to a clear artificial small pool, and introduced some Little Turtles to Charlie in a serious manner.
Everything seems so natural and beautiful.
John helped Lynn spread the large red and white plaid picnic mat on the flat Lawn, and then took out the biscuits and juice from the backpack and arranged them.
The boy was very focused when doing these things, with a relaxed smile always on his lips.
After doing all this, John lay directly on the picnic mat.