Nate was a little earlier than usual. So, when he walked in, he was surprised by the pups' long faces. They were sad, sitting in a corner and hugging each other as if they were abandoned.

He would have expected something similar the day he came later than usual, not earlier...

?Hey,? he said, attracting their attention.

All the pups in the room shivered at his voice, but they didn't start wreaking havoc in panic. Somehow, they were just wary and on alert. Most likely, it was Lara's presence again.

?What are you doing here?? Scarlet asked with a pout.

?I came to pick you up,? he replied.

?For real??

?Yes, sure.? Why were they so doubting, all of a sudden? It wasn't the first time he did that, after all. Hadn't they grown used to it in the last month?

Oh, but a month isn't so much time, he thought. It was still early to consider their uses as habits.

?Let's go,? he said. ?Let's pick up your mother and go home in time for an afternoon snack.?

Somehow, not even mentioning food cheered them up.

?Hey,? he repeated. ?What are you two doing? What's up??

?You're not going to abandon us, are you?? Scarlet inquired while collecting her backpack and bringing her shoes.

Jaden followed, still gloomy, listening to the conversation in silence.

?Abandoning you? Why??

?Mommy said you gave her permission to look for another baby,? Jaden pointed out. ?Why keep us around? Is it until you decide who it is going to be??

?What new baby??

?Mommy is selecting babies. There,? Scarlet said while pointing at the door. ?She said you knew about it and that you agreed. But if you don't know it, then maybe mommy is doing it alone.?

She didn't care that she was selling her mommy off to who she had considered her worst enemy up to a few days before. At that moment, Nate was the only person who could stand in between her mommy and a potential new baby taking their place.

?She decided to have a baby without your help,? Jaden agreed, finally seeing some hope. ?She won't like you then. We will be stuck with you unless...?

?Unless?? Nate asked, in between amusement and worry.historical

His kids were territorial, as much as to despair when a new brother or sister seemed to have a chance to join the family.

?Unless you also abandon us,? Jaden said, his eyes filling with tears.

The twins looked at each other, pondering on the consequences of the events. They started sobbing together, and Nate ruffled his hair in awkwardness.

?Let's talk about it out of here, okay??

The other pups were staring, curious and wary. They were wondering why Nate was making his pups cry like that. Had they done something bad?

?Why do you even think she's selecting babies to exchange for you two??

?Those babies don't have fangs,? Scarlet said.

She even showed her hands with the palms up, and she gritted her teeth for Nate to see the pair of short, pointy teeth.

?They don't growl,? she continued. ?Mommy would be happy with them.?

?She's happy with you just as much,? Nate pointed out.

Jaden closed the door behind their backs and ran to his father and sister. Scarlet had found out about the plan, so it was his turn to do something. He had to convince Nate not to abandon them.

If he could convince Nate, he had some hope with his mommy since she liked them more than Nate did.

?Da-dadd-dy,? he stuttered. It was awkward to say that word. How could Scarlet bear it so often?

?Yes, Jaden??

?Don't abandon us. We will be good and call you dad,? he offered. ?We will also give you one day with our mommy without complaint if you convince her not to exchange us.?

Nate couldn't help but chuckle. What was the part about exchanging?

?You don't just exchange babies, Jaden.?

?No? What do you do with the old ones??

?You don't exchange people! Moreover, neither Lara nor I would do that even if it was permitted.?

?It's not??

?No. One has the kids he has.?

?So, you won't give us away, daddy?? Scarlet butted in, raising her arms and finally getting picked up.

She hugged Nate's neck and pressed her cheek on his shoulder.

?You don't want to get rid of us??

?No, Scarlet, I don't want to.?

?You will keep both the new baby and us??

?There is no new baby.?

?Sure?? Jaden asked, standing on tiptoe and tugging Nate's shirt.

Since he couldn't pick his son up, Nate offered his hand - which was gladly accepted.

?Not yet. One day, your mother and I might want another one... Or two.?

?But what will happen to us, then??

?You will be a big brother and a big sister.?

Scarlet wasn't listening anymore, not one bit interested. She had heard what concerned her: they weren't going to be thrown away. She didn't care about brothers and sisters so much once she had her place safe.

Jaden, however, opened his mouth in awe.

?A little brother? Or a little sister? Which one will you get?? he asked.

?I don't get to decide,? Nate chuckled. ?Kids just happen. It's not something you decide beforehand... I mean, you do. But you can't pick the features. It'll be a surprise.?

Scarlet continued to hug Nate, sometimes pecking his cheek and showering him with love. Meanwhile, Jaden was thinking hard to understand that new topic he hadn't tackled before.

?Mommy told us she couldn't choose whether she liked boys or girls more, so she got both of us,? he said. ?Since she likes both, she had twins. Did my mommy lie? Why??

Difficult questions like that one were a hassle for Nate. And Lara's early answers were something he couldn't contradict that easily. He couldn't say their mommy lied; how could he?

?I don't know, Jaden,? he sighed in the end. ?I didn't get to choose... I got what I got.?

?Oh, and are you happy? Would you have chosen only one of us??