When the sun disappeared behind the buildings on the beach, Lara and Nate packed their things and collected the cubs.

The twins had been playing in the sand and drawing shapes, sometimes collecting water from the sea and wetting the sand to have clearer traits.

They weren't as scared anymore to dip their feet in the water, but they still didn't go further than a step or two without someone by their side.

Lara had gone swimming with them, but in the end, she had sat a few feet from the shore and played in the water where the cubs could touch the seabed with their feet.

As soon as they reached the room, she grabbed one of the pups and headed to the bathroom.

?Scarlet, you take off your suit while I wash Jaden,? she instructed, reaching the bathroom and cleaning the little boy from the salt and the sand.

She checked his skin and found no trace of sunburns. She sighed, relieved, and wrapped him in a towel.

?Send Scarlet in,? she ordered, opening the door and observing how the little one strolled through the living room. His feet left wet traces, and his hair dripped water all over his shoulders and the floor.

?Scarleeet,? he screamed, looking for his sister.

The little girl ran next to him, directed to the bathroom and still wearing her swimsuit. She closed the door and turned to Lara.

?Mommy, I don't want that man to help me undress! I only want my mommy to do it!?

?What?? Lara stuttered. She had just sent a naked pup out, and she hoped Jaden wasn't as shy as his sister. ?It's your father, Scarlet. Not that man.?

?But I want my mommy only,? the little one sobbed.

?Is that so? Aren't you too young to feel shy, though? You know, most kids have both a mother and a father to take care of them.?

?I don't want to,? she repeated, stomping her foot on the ground. ?Don't want to! Don't want!?

Before her little tantrum could worsen, Lara surrendered and helped her get out of the white swimsuit. She threw it in the washbasin, on top of Jaden's, and focused on washing her hair.

She would have thought about the swimsuits after making sure both cubs were washed, dry, and comfortably clothed.

?Didn't you have fun with Nate today?? she asked, rinsing the soap from her hair and face.

?Yes. But now it's over. Now I want my mommy.?

?I see... I'll be somewhere nearby all the time, Scarlet. It's not like you need to choose among us. You can have both a mother and a father. You know that, right??

?Yes, of course. But a father's use is to make your life easier, right? Not take mommy's place.?

?He will make your life easier if you let him.?

?Not mine. Mommy's.?

Her eyes were slightly reddened because of the salt and the breeze, but she had no fever and seemed overall fine. Just like Jaden, her skin was tanner but not burnt.

?A father is just for you, Scarlet. To me, he can be a friend or a husband. Or we could fight and never talk again. But he'll always be your father; he'll protect and take care of you. Just like I do, but with different means. Give him some time to know you, and try knowing him as well. All right??

?Why do you always want us to accept him, mommy? He's dangerous, and he'll take you away!?

?He won't,? Lara chuckled.

?But Nate just wants you!?

?Don't call him that,? Lara sighed. ?Even if he said it's all right, it's impolite. He's your father: you should call him daddy just like you call me mommy.?

?He says he doesn't like it when I do so.?

?It's not true. He just doesn't know how to react. Give him time, and he'll stop wincing in a month or two. I also was like him when you two started calling me mommy.?

?Really?? Scarlet said, widening her blue eyes.

She let Lara dry her body and rub her hair delicately. They were still in the bathroom, but Jaden was supposedly taken care of, so she didn't need to hurry. After all, if some incident happened, she would hear it. It sounded like Nate and Jaden had reached an agreement.historical

?Yes. I was so happy, you know? I couldn't decide what to do soon after, so you were mostly left without what you needed. You would ask for water, and I'd kiss you until forgetting to give you some. And you were so little and cute!?

?And then? Why don't you kiss me now when I say mommy??

?Because I learned to bear it,? she chuckled. ?Now I can listen to you before losing control. I still am as happy as back then, though. I just don't cry anymore.?

?Cry??

?Yes, I did cry a couple of times. I was so happy that I couldn't help it.?

?I don't want to see mommy cry,? Scarlet realised. She wouldn't mind being kissed after saying mommy, but if the risk was to make her sob... ?It's better like now,? she decided in the end.

?Nate is the same. He doesn't cry or kiss when he's happy. He just loses his words. It's kind of cute, in a way, isn't it??

?I don't find him cute,? Scarlet moaned, grabbing the ends of the towel she was being wrapped in.

?Ah, it's because he's your dad. You can't find him cute. You rather... ehm, find him... trustable??

?I don't trust him.?

?Not yet. But you already look for him when you need something. I noticed as much, you little fox.?

?I'm a wolf, mommy.?

?You little wolf.?

She picked her up and marched out of the bathroom. She still needed to shower, but she could let Nate go first now that her cubs were good.

His back was suspiciously red when she had glanced at it. She was worried he would be in pain for the night.

?You can go now,? she said. ?I'll finish dressing Scarlet first.?

Nate saw her carrying the little pup and followed them with his eyes. When Lara surpassed him, Scarlet looked from over her mother's shoulder. She stuck her tongue out and grimaced at Nate.

He sighed, turning towards the bathroom and trying to forget how lucky his pups were.