On the way back, the twins were quite silent in the car. Just like the first days of school, they seemed preoccupied with their thoughts. Lara found it funny because her cubs wouldn't talk only when their heads were very, very busy.

?How was your day at school?? she asked.

?Good.? They answered at the same time.

At such a short reply, Lara couldn't help but turn back to Nate, who was driving. He was smiling, and that view made her heart feel warm. He was feeling the same as her about their kids, and she didn't need more from him.

?What have you done?? he asked instead.

?Many things,? was Jaden's reply.

Scarlet seemed to ponder, solving a problem or maybe just meditating. However, Jaden was just in a bad mood. As if he had been played a prank or something similar.

?Well, tell me your favourite.?

?There's no favourite. It was all boring.?

The pout on Jaden's mouth made Nate want to stop the car just to hug him. It surprised him, for some reason, but he wanted to comfort his pups and witness their little failures and successes.

?And you, Scarlet??

?Me, what?? she said, snapping out from her daze.

?What have you done today??

?Oh, I've played with the other kids. A few girls were playing pretend.?

?That's wonderful.?

?Yeah, but their game is difficult. I can't understand it.?

How couldn't she understand? She was the best at pretending to be cute...

?What exactly don't you understand?? Nate inquired, suspecting the issue was deeper than it seemed.

?Why can't I be the boss??

?Scarlet, you shouldn't try to establish leadership first when you meet new people,? he chuckled.

?What does that mean??

?What??

?Liddiship.?

?Leader-ship. It means... Well, being the boss.?

?Why is it wrong??

?And you can't be the boss just because you want to,? he explained. ?It's something that needs time and hard work. And the other people need to be willing to follow you. If not, you can't be a leader.?

?But we were just playing pretend,? she pouted. ?I wanted to be the boss, and they said I can't be the CEO.?

?Being the CEO and being the boss is not the same thing. But there's no reason you can't be the CEO. Unless another of your friends was already playing that role. In that case, you should have let her... You were the last one to join the game, weren't you??

?But daddy, they said CEOs work hard and that I can't work hard!?

?That's not true. You can work as hard as you want. And you can be whoever you want.?

?I want to be a CEO like my daddy!? she exclaimed.

?Yes?? Nate said, somehow... unbelievably happy. He was proud like a peacock. His daughter wanted to be like him, after all...

?I want to make money while doing nothing but wearing pretty clothes,? she added.

Lara was biting her lips hard, already knowing that the conversation would have taken weird ways. Yet, up to that moment, she could keep her chuckle silent. Yet, after Scarlet's last confession, she failed and burst out laughing.

?I don't do nothing!? Nate complained.

He turned to Lara, who was still laughing, with the most sincere expression, and he repeated his words lest she believed he was lazy and useless.

?Sure, sure,? she said in between two hard breaths.

Her daughter knew well where to hit her daddy's pride. And it was even funnier because Nate was taking her seriously.

Just as if they were two adults, talking.

?I'm very busy, Scarlet. I do a lot of things for the company. You see me sitting at a desk, but that's just part of the job...? he continued, trying to hide his pout from the family.

He hadn't felt that awful in ages. Having a daughter was bad for his health...

?So... I can't be the CEO when I grow up?? the little girl whispered, confused by her parents' reactions. Nate was flustered and a little angry while her mommy was laughing her heart out.

She was being funny, and she liked listening to her mommy's chuckles, laughter, or smiles. But she wanted to know the reasons why she couldn't grow up well. Not that she planned to grow up, but one never knows.

She wanted to hear the options before deciding because wearing pretty clothes like Nate or aunty Sam looked nice.

?Who said you can't?? Nate replied, not suffering anymore. All his worries and complaints disappeared when he realised Scarlet was still uncertain about herself.

He didn't want his daughter to have any uncertainty in the world. She could do whatever she wanted, as long as she was confident enough.

?You can be the CEO, Scarlet. But it's a difficult job, and you need to learn a lot before starting.?

?So, it's not true I can't!?

?It's not true. Next time someone tells you that, just say your daddy told you that you can be whatever you want. Including the boss. It just depends on you, Scarlet.?

?If I can't be the CEO...? she said, thinking hard. ?Then... Then, I want to be like aunty Sam!?

?Sure,? Nate sighed again.

It wouldn't even be too strange if Scarlet became like Samantha while growing up. But he would have found a way for his baby girl to stay in the pack instead of sending her away.

Because Lara wouldn't have left her and because he had lost enough time with his pups to allow such a thing.

?You can be whatever you want, and don't let anyone tell you that you can't.?

Jaden, meanwhile, was silently listening.

?Can I also be like aunty Sam?? he inquired.

?Yes, Jaden. Sure. Be like your aunt,? Nate replied.

His tone was calm, but it was evident he felt a little - just a little - disappointed. His pups, both, preferred his cousin to him.

Oh, but it wasn't such a novelty.

?You also can be whatever you want.. I will support you both and help you when you need it.?historical