Page 12 of Deprived No More

“Okay, Mrs. Barnes.”

Walking to the kitchen, I see Dad has sorted the containers and started plating pizza for the kids. “Thanks, Dad,” I say, giving him a pat on the back.

“Thanks for feeding me. It’s the least I can do.”

“I’m glad you’re staying for dinner. Do you want to just stay the night? It’ll be dark before you leave, and you still have a long way to go. I know you don’t make this trip often, and when you do, it’s usually during the day, or Gavin is driving.”

“You’re right. I think I’ll take you up on that.”

“Yay!” The boys cheer.

“Yay is right. I’ll have an extra set of hands to make sure you two get in the bath before bed.”

Their faces immediately drop, eliciting a chuckle from my father.

“Oh, you two,” he says, tousling their hair before pushing them both toward the table.

Everyone sits to enjoy the rich offerings from Luigi’s of pizza, spaghetti, ravioli, and chicken piccata. Kat attempts to inquire into the kids’ homework, and I interrupt her, advising that Dad and I have it under control. “You need to lie down and rest after dinner. We’ve got this.”

“Nick.” She glares.

“I know you’re fine. But let us handle things tonight.”

“Mason-” she begins to scold, and my eyes flash in his direction. He’s just sitting there wide-eyed, waiting to tear into his pizza.

“We’ve got this, Kat,” I scold, hoping for once she can just relax and enjoy a meal.

She bites her plump lower lip and nearly stifles a smile. “Okay.”

We manage to get through dinner, despite the boys squirming in their seats and lots of laughing at who knows what. Dad appears oblivious, enjoying his meal and listening to Grace regale the details of her day. I widen my stance to push up from the table just as something catches me straight in the balls, knocking me back into my seat.

“Holy fu-”

“Fudgesicles,” Kat belts out as she jumps to her feet. She comes to my side with a grimace but can’t hide the slight grin on her face.What the hell?

“Boys,” she barks with her hands held out wide.

I watch in amazement, my hands still cradling my junk, as they each hand over their Nerf guns. Had Katarina spotted what they were up to when I told her I could handle it? There’s no use pretending anyone can control these boys as she can.

“You okay?”

“Yeah,” I squeak an octave higher than my normal pitch. “Who knew a Nerf bullet could inflict that kind of pain?”

“I tried to warn you. Is there anything you need? Some ice?”

“I’ll be okay. Looking about the table, I notice the kids have followed Dad into the den. “Maybe later you could give them a little TLC?”

“Ah. So, I guess the dote on Kat part of the evening is over.”

“What? No. I’m still doting. I just thought maybe a hand job might make them feel better.”

“Of course, you did.” She laughs. “I’m going to find some linens for the guestroom. “Gracie, can you come help me get Grandpa’s room ready for him?” she shouts into the adjoining room.

Grace scampers to her feet and quickly comes to Kat’s side. This kid.

“Grace, maybe after we get the little ones in their pajamas, they can go to Grandpa’s room to hear bedtime stories before heading to their bedrooms, so he doesn’t have to read to each of them separately,” I tell her

“Good idea, Dad. I think he’d never escape the boys’ room anyway.”

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