There were too many people in the small, two room cottage. Ben instantly rose when Zech entered. Simon had just been changing his shirt and was buttoning up - too late, Zech. A boy of about nine was laying the table, helped - not really helped - by his four year old brother. Two girls were by the stove, one of them with the same reddish-brown hair as Simon and a round face. She already wore her hair up, but she looked barely older than a child, fourteen or fifteen. A younger girl with blonde hair in braids blushed as Zech walked in. Another red-headed girl, somewhat younger was washing plates.

"Mr. Meijer. It is an honour, ser." Ben said. Simon looked as pleased as he looked uncomfortable, with an indeterminate blush on his face.
"Do sit down." he said, his voice a pitch higher than normal.
The little boy looked at Zech shamelessly with wide eyes as if he had never seen a man like that in their home. He hadn't.