When Penelope and Maverick got back to the cabin, Leonardo who was sitting on a small stool in the corner of the room quickly jacked up and ran to meet them.
He embraced them wholey and let them go soon afterwards.
He then crouched down to Maverick's level and said, "Maverick, son! You're really here. I was so frightened when I couldn't find you when I awoke from my slumber. Thank goodness you came back with your mother."
"Do you know where i found him?" Penelope asked and then answered her own question. "He was in the village lingering with the palace guards. I had to take him from them."
Leonardo was stunned and then faced Maverick.
"Did you leak any information perhaps, Maverick?" Leonardo asked.
"They asked me questions and I answered. Mother always says that honesty is the best policy." Maverick stated.
"Oh, Maverick!" Penelope exclaimed as she brought her hands to her head in upmost shock. "Why would tou tell them that kind of information? Do you know that the palace guards might tell the king and queen about us living in this forest?"
"Maverick, what have you done?" Leonardo said in fury.
Maverick realised that he made a huge mistake and burst into tears as he begged for his parents forgiveness.
"I'm sorry! Please don't punish me, I won't ever wonder out again!" Maverick pleaded with his parents.
Penelope felt a soft spot as her son pleaded them. She crouched down towards him and gently put her hands on his shoulders.
"Don't cry son. It's alright because people make mistakes all the time. Mistakes are part of life and they make us stronger especially when we learn from them." Penelope comforted Maverick as she wiped the tears from his eyes with her gown.
"Yes, mother. " Maverick said as he sniffed.
Penelope turned to Leonardo and said in a low voice.
"We can't just stay mad at him like this. Children are curious little beings and need to see things for themselves, Leonardo." Penelope said with conviction in her blue eyes.
Leonardo thought for a moment and then smiled down at his son saying, "It's totally fine, Maverick. We forgive you."
They cuddled into a family hug and Maverick soon forgot about all his worries.
Penelope and Leonardo realised that they could not keep Maverick in the forest for long so they decided to start being more free to him.
They went out into the village more often. And wherever they went, people would always exclaim, "What a beautiful family!" As they walked by them.