“Dinner is almost ready, love. Why don’t you bring the twins into the bathroom to clean up. Everything will be ready in about fifteen minutes.”
“Sounds perfect, babe. Okay, kids. Your dad has commanded. Washing-up time!”
The twins giggled joyfully and chattered a mile a minute while Adam responded only with a word or two.
Lance returned to the kitchen to plate up the stir-fried vegetables from the skillet before transferring the baked chicken from the oven. He placed everything on the table and waited patiently for Adam and the twins. When they were all seated, they began to eat.
“Dad, Papa said that Holly and I can stay up late tonight, but we need to ask you first.”
“Can we, Dad? Please? Nathan and I will be really, really, really, really, really good.”
He glared at his lover, who was sheepishly grinning at him, before softening his gaze to look at the twins. “Nine o’clock,” he intoned firmly.
“But, Dad…”
“Papa said…”