The Kings IV I

33

Alexis

Fred watched me shovel my breakfast in my mouth, a concerned expression etched onto his features.

"Do you want more?"

"Is that even a question?" I asked, looking up at him as he stood up.

He chuckled, bringing me two more pieces of bacon. He scooped some eggs out of the skillet and onto my plate, smiling. "There you are."

"Thank you," I said, "I mean, you kind of knew better."

He lifted an eyebrow and took a sip of his apple juice. "Yeah?"

"Yeah," I said, delicately dabbing the corner of my mouth, "I'm feeding three humans."

"Right," he said, "yeah, how'd I miss that?"

I shot him a glare, making him chuckle and look down. "All jokes."

"I hope it's two girls," I said, "I want to have them matching every day of their lives."

"Girl and a boy," he said, "easy. I've got to be a girl dad."

"Yes, I can't wait to see the double standard."

He shook his head. "My son will have the same restrictions as my daughter. Mark my words."

"I'll believe it- shh."

I smiled a pleasant smile at Milo as he jogged downstairs. "Hey, sleepyhead."

"Hey," he greeted, smiling.

"What time did you get in last night?" I asked, wrapping an arm around his neck for a hug.

"Ah, Fred was up," he said, "it was, what, one?"

"Yeah," Fred answered, "did you get any sleep?"

"Yeah, yeah," he said, nodding, "Jo doesn't mind me being with you today, does he?"

He shook his head. "Jo's not even here, he's in Italy."

"Why's he in Italy?" Milo curiously asked.

"His marriage counselor said they needed to get away."

Milo's jaw dropped. "They're in marriage counseling?"

Fred nodded. "Yep."

"And you didn't tell me that their marriage was on the brink of extinction?"

"Why would I have told you that, Mi," Fred deadpanned, wiping down the counter.

"Uh, Lena."

"You're a piece of shit," I muttered, picking around my eggs, "I'm not hungry anymore."

"I'm kidding," he said, "when you truly love someone, you just want them to be happy. With or without you."

Fred couldn't help his chuckle. "You are one dramatic fucker."

Milo laughed, opening the fridge. "Does Cecilia still work for you?"

"Yep, haven't run her off yet," Fred said, "surprised? Me, too."

I smiled, taking a sip of my apple juice. "Why do you ask?"

Milo leaned his head back. "Lex."

"I'm curious," I said, folding my hands under my chin.

"She is too young for me," he said, grabbing my shoulders.

"She's legal, Mi."

"Yes, she's legal, but I don't want an eighteen year old. Do you know how dramatic they are?"