Margreet and Huib were glad to be back home. "That's really for the first time in my life that I have the urge to flee the guest house!"

"I totally understand how you feel!" replied Margreet. "But on another topic: those books for your mother. Shall we wrap them up as a gift and bring them to her?"

"Yes nice! I do have a small box, if they fit in there and we'll wrap it up, with a bold ribbon around it or something..."

Margreet laughed at his enthusiasm. "I don't care, as long as it looks nice!"

A moment later they walked to their beloved neighbour with an exuberantly wrapped box. Annerieke looked up in surprise, "What the hell is this?"

"Well, I'll tell you, mom. In the dictionary they call this a gift, and the explanation they give is that it's about something that someone gives to another person for free, with the purpose of surprising and making the other person happy." Huib bowed to her, while Margreet handed her the box with a big wink. "Here you go mom, I hope you will enjoy it a lot!"

Annerieke looked at her, as tears welled up in her eyes. "You call me mom! Surprising, but you know, I don't even have to get used to that? It feels so natural, so inherent! And then this," she set the box on the table and began to loosen the bow. "Books! J.D. Robb, all of them J.D. Robb! Unbelievable, eight of them... from our favorite store for sure? Who would have thought they would have so many there... How many euros do I owe you?"

"Free and for nothing, right? That's a characteristic of a gift! And in case you still want to know why you're getting this from us... just because you're our mommy, the best in the whole world. We love you mom!" Margreet laughed at Huibs words and nodded affirmatively to Annerieke.

"Well... then... thank you then! Pfff overwhelming! I am really happy with it! I love reading another exciting book... I think the author is so clever, her detectives are extremely exciting, while she describes the people, especially the main characters, so incredibly well that you just feel one with them. You just know them, as if they live here!"

"A kind of detective and novel in one, then?" asked Margreet. "I recognize that personal touch in her novels as well."

"True yes, she has that way of writing in the detectives too. It's clearly not just about the excitement, but also about the persons themselves."

"Then I think it's smart if we go home now, then you can start in your first book!" Huib said. He had seen how his mother had placed the books side by side on the table and looked at them longingly. He nodded to her, "Really, enjoy it!"

Margreet confirmed his words with a brief embrace, "Good evening, good night... and see you tomorrow!"

"Thank you, sweet couple! I am indeed going to enjoy it!" Annerieke closed the door behind them and turned it to lock in advance.

"And we, what shall we do tonight?" Huib asked, putting his arm around Margreet. "To be honest, I'm longing for something myself that will distract me a bit, something that will take my mind off things for a while... are you in the mood for a movie?"

"Yeah, pretty much, something like that Wonder Woman from last time, I'm in the mood for that."

Huib turned on the computer and searched through the list of Marvel movies. While Margreet made tea, Huib chose the series in which Thor and his friends, together The Avengers, try to save various planets from destruction. He had seen them so many times himself, but was happy to see them again. When Margreet came into the room with the tea, he told her briefly about ‘The Avengers’.

"Let's do that one, sounds exciting again."

"Right yes, it sure is! Cuddle up close to me, I really don't mind that." Huib grinned mischievously and gave her a kiss when she sat down next to him.

The evening flew by, thanks to the movie.

And the night began in peace. Huddled against each other, they fell into a deep sleep.

To chapter 72. Conversations about anything and everything

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