Once they arrived at Dave's house, Kenneth settled the boys in a bedroom.
Before he left, he said, “Rest earlier tonight. We'll talk tomorrow morning.”
“Do we have to talk about it?” asked Anthony.
Kenneth turned around and asked, “What do you think?”
“Why don't we talk about it now instead of leaving it for tomorrow? How can I sleep well if I'm worrying over it all night?” argued Anthony.
His father replied drily, “You didn't seem that worried when you were sneakily trailing me.”
Anthony wisely remained silent.
His silence drew a smirk from Kenneth, who turned to leave the room.
Suddenly, Benjamin asked, “Daddy, is there any news on Nat yet?”
He turned around and stared at his younger son. Hesitation flashed through his eyes before he said reassuringly, “We have news, but I always arrive a step too late. Don't worry. She's safe now, and I'll make sure I'm not late again!”
Benjamin nodded. “Okay.”
“Get some rest.”
Finally, Kenneth left their room.
Once the door closed, Anthony heaved a sigh of relief and turned to his brother. “Why did Daddy put us in the same room tonight?”
“How should I know?”
“Don't you think Daddy's acting strangely tonight?” asked Anthony.
Benjamin gave his brother's question some serious thought before nodding. “He's a little weird.”
Anthony hopped onto the bed and muttered, “I'm sure Daddy has something up his sleeves for tomorrow!”
“I'll be counting on you tomorrow!”
Benjamin's cryptic comment befuddled Anthony. “Why?”
“Because you're the only one who can play Daddy at his own game!”
Anthony narrowed his eyes and asked, “Is that a compliment?”
Benjamin merely retorted, “What do you think Thalia would say to answer your question?”
His older brother immediately lost interest and said, “Don't pick up bad habits from Thalia.”
“I think Thalia's words make a lot of sense!”
“Don't blindly follow other people's lives. Everyone is unique and has their own path to follow!” With that, Anthony flopped down on the bed.
Benjamin realized the problem with their sleeping arrangement as he watched Anthony bunching up the blankets. Frowning, he asked, “How can I sleep if you do that?”
“Ask Daddy to give you your own room, then,” came Anthony's muffled reply.
“Why don't you go instead?”
Anthony insisted, “I took the bed first.”
Unwilling to back off, Benjamin crawled onto the bed and began fighting with his brother for the blankets.
Meanwhile, Kenneth had headed downstairs after leaving the boys' room.
Dave was resting on a couch in the living room. When he spotted Kenneth, he could not help but comment, “I'm still struggling to digest everything I've learned today!” He met Kenneth's gaze and mused out loud, “Has this all been a fantastical dream?”
Kenneth plonked himself on the couch and deadpanned, “Why don't you shoot yourself? Then you'll know!”
Dave was not amused.
He abruptly approached Kenneth and blurted, “I always thought you were a firm believer in bachelorhood. I can't believe your values have changed so much. You even have kids now! Three kids!”
Cautiously, he continued, “Actually, how do you feel about the whole situation?”
“What feelings about what situation?” Kenneth side-eyed his curious subordinate.
“Having children, of course! How does it feel like?”
Dave truly struggled to wrap his head around the whole idea.
Kenneth has always been the farthest thing from a fatherly figure. How did he suddenly end up with two kids? Wait, it's three kids!
Dave's curious expression brought a frown to Kenneth's expression. “Erm, it feels kind of strange yet wonderful?”
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