Chapter 102: Chapter 102

" And now we put the frozen peanut butter inside the dough..." Morgan instructed his children, helping them to sink the peanut butter balls into the chocolate dough with their little fingers " And no sticking the licked finger of Get back in the dough, Poppy. “ he warned his daughter, without even looking in her direction “I'm watching you.

Hearing her little girl's characteristic snort, the same one that made her sound even more like her mother. Stifling a laugh, he finished helping Patrick finish the cupcakes, moving in time to catch his sister in the air, at the same moment that she had just jumped onto the stool he had positioned below the counter, so that they could could cook together with him.

" Daddy! “ Poppy complained, struggling in his arms as hard as her tiny five year old body would allow. “I can get off the bench by myself!

“But not without getting hurt. “ he stole a kiss on her cheek, making her huff again, before sitting her down in one of the chairs at the dining table.

“Can I help you put the cupcakes in the oven, Daddy? “ Patrick asked, his little brown eyes twinkling adorably.

“When you grow up, buddy. Now, it can be a little dangerous. “ Morgan explained, making his bottom lip stick out in a pout that made him look exactly like Charlie, too “After all, you and your sister have a much more important job to do for me: spreading the garlic cream on toast. , as soon as I take the bread out of the oven. “ he cheered, making Poppy appear at the side at the same moment, interested and with the irritation at not having gotten what she wanted already forgotten, apparently “Oh, and, of course, we can't forget the chocolate icing and sprinkles to decorate the cupcakes when they are ready. I can't do this without you. “ he sighed, dramatically.

“But you do it all the time, when we're at school. Patrick pointed out, like the smart little mommy and daddy boy he was.

“That's true, but it never tastes as good or as beautiful as it does when you help me. “ he explained, taking the son off the stool and placing him next to his sister “ So we'll have made another excellent dinner and surprise mom when she arrives tonight.

“Can we have french fries for dinner, too? “ Poppy asked, immediately getting an Oscar-worthy pity dog expression, which was imitated by her brother “That would make dinner even tastier…

With a disgusted snort, Morgan pretended not to have heard, going to the oven to remove the freshly baked bread and place the cupcakes. Although he and Charlie had been successful in not letting the twins have contact with sugar and processed foods until they were two years old, they had developed the same love their mother had for fast food, after catching her eating it. a hamburger hidden in the bedroom, after a hard day at work. Not that he could complain about how lucky he was to always be home to cook healthy, balanced meals for his kids and make sure they only started things like holiday snacks. Which didn't mean he liked knowing they liked pretend food like Charlie did.

His wife used to joke that he should open a restaurant and try to convert everyone to the benefits and taste of home cooking, but Morgan didn't feel like doing that, at least not right now. Being officially a gastronome and being about to start his second master's degree, this time in Social Gastronomy and Sustainability, Morgan had realized that he enjoyed getting all kinds of knowledge about food much more than actually preparing it for people who weren't from your family. Of course, maybe he could change his mind in the future and accept his professors' many invitations to do some probationary time in their restaurants, in addition to the mandatory internships. But for now, Morgan just wanted to study and be able to stay home and watch her babies grow. It was the only opportunity he would ever have to do that, after all, since, not long after the twins were born, he and Charlie had learned that their family was now complete he had offered to perform a vasectomy and ensure they wouldn't have any surprises. in the future.

“Who wants to help mix the garlic cream? he asked, pouring the oven-cooked garlic with olive oil over the minced spice mix he had made earlier.

" I! I! the twins said in unison, forgetting Poppy's request in the same instant and starting to jump with their arms up, wanting him to put them on the stool again.

"Okay, okay..." he laughed, going to place the bowl with the ingredients on the small table that he had bought especially so that the children could cook with him, handing them two spoons, as they approached “I'm counting on you.

While the twins were busy mixing the garlic and spices with the butter Morgan had placed in the bowl, he was busy putting the homemade lasagna noodles he had made earlier when the kids were at school to cook in hot water. , but the vibration of his cell phone on the bench nearby interrupted him. Smiling when he saw Charlie's name on the screen, he quickly answered the video call, smiling when he saw her, even though he couldn't help noticing that she looked exhausted.

" Hello dear. How was the last lecture today? “ he asked, making her yawn and stretch her spine on the other side of the screen.

“ It was okay, although there was nothing new. “ Charlie said, a little upset “ Honestly, Vivian and I are a little sorry for having traveled 40km to come here to attend this congress, when we could have done it easily online.

“ It's not their fault that they invited one of the most engaged and studious veterinarians in the country. “ Morgan chuckled “It's really hard to find any information that you haven't already majored in or read all about.

" Dont be silly. I've only been a graduate for two years, after all. But listen, I didn't call just to see you, unfortunately. I have bad news. “ she mumbled, her head down “ The weather is bad here, so the flight will be late and we'll end up catching it at the time we should be getting there...

“So you won't arrive until tomorrow morning. “ he completed, with a sad sigh “ I'm sorry, dear. But don't worry, the kids and I will be there to pick you up as soon as you land.

“Where are my babies anyway? “ she seemed to look at what little room loomed around him “Oh, of course they're helping Dad cook. It's their favorite pastime, after doodling on white walls, of course.

“ Yes, that and ordering fast food for dinner all the time…” he complained, making her laugh “Let me get them to talk to you. Ready for tears?

And, as was to be expected, the twins were disappointed and tearful to learn that their mother was not coming home that very night. However, after dealing with a few tears and a bit of a tantrum, something he and Charlie were used to after five years of being parents of two, his wife was finally able to hang up the call and go with Vivian to find a place to wait for the next one. flight. Wanting to distract the twins, Morgan moved ahead with the chocolate frosting, knowing the opportunity to steal a few spoonfuls of the candy would certainly cheer them up.

" Now that we've almost finished dinner and we're going to have the night free for the three of us... " Morgan stroked their heads, when everything was already finished " What do you think about taking a shower and watching a movie, while we wait for the lasagna to be ready ?

Jumping with euphoria, Patrick and Poppy immediately ran to the bathroom, to take off their clothes and wait for their father, as they always did, and Morgan took advantage of those few minutes to take care of the last details of dinner and check that Matilda was still on the porch, sleeping where he was. had left her. Age had made her a little less energetic and more prone to illness, but luckily having a veterinarian as an owner helped her a lot, and when she wasn't running around with the kids and stumbling around most of the time, Matilda was literally lying on her back. with its paws up, napping as if it didn't have a care in its life. What she really didn't have.

Outside, the five other dogs they had adopted over the years, as well as the other cats and dogs that were there temporarily while they waited for a permanent home, were also playing or resting quietly. In the midst of all of them, Morgan even noticed the lack of Sawyer around, something that was becoming recurrent in the last few days, but the thought was gone the moment he heard the twins talking, as he approached the bathroom door.

“Do yours itch too? Poppy asked her brother, looking annoyed.

"Maybe if we use Mom's sponge bath it would help…" Patrick offered, although he didn't look too sure.

" What are you talking about? “ he went into the bathroom, worried and, when he saw the twins already in their underwear, he barely realized what they were referring to, until he realized that there were tiny, almost imperceptible, reddish spots spread over their arms and part of their chests, like if they had been bitten by mosquitoes “Did any bugs bite you? “ Morgan asked, kneeling down to see the marks better. “Why didn't you tell Dad about this?

The children looked at each other, as if wondering whether to speak or not.

“How did they get it? “ Morgan went on to ask, puzzled by the fact that it looked strangely familiar “And why does it look like bites from...” to Just as the realization hit his mind, he immediately asked, “Where are your clothes?

Still silent, both pointed to the colorful basket of children's clothes that were there on the side and Morgan didn't even have to look for, in the school uniform they had thrown there earlier, to find what confirmed his theory. They were microscopic dots, but he could recognize them easily, after so many years taking in animals that Charlie brought in that needed a temporary home: fleas.

“Were you covered in fleas for school? “ he gasped “No, I dressed you myself, I would have noticed. So how did it happen? " Morgan tried to remember what the children had done when they got home from school, while he was making lunch, which was the only time they hadn't changed their uniform and washed their hands before eating " The only thing you did was play in the garden with…” He narrowed his eyes, the moment he realized what had happened.

“What is it Daddy? “ Patrick asked, approaching Morgan, while poking one of the bites that had in his belly.

“It's just a flea bite, buddy. But do not worry. " Morgan calmed him down, stroking his hair " I'm going to call your pediatrician and ask him to indicate a little ointment that will make that itch and those red dots disappear quickly. But first, let's get in the bath and then I'll boil these clothes and take them... About four times. “ he grumbled, casting a sidelong glance in the direction of the basket.

Not wanting to risk the fleas spreading through the house, Morgan hurried to clean the twins as best he could and sterilize their clothes, irritated with himself for not realizing sooner that the children had been bitten. He and Charlie had encouraged them from an early age that they could be independent and changing by themselves was part of that, but still...

A lazy meow interrupted her parental guilt, followed by the unmistakable feeling of Sawyer rubbing against her legs, wanting affection.

“Come here, you little runaway…” Morgan scooped him up, balancing him on the sink counter so she could run her fingers through his fur, pushing him away “Matilda never leaves the house unattended and you were the only one who played with the kids today after they got home from school, so... There you go! “ he stopped immediately, finally spotting the small black dots on the white and orange fur “ You're covered in fleas! I should have listened to Charlie when she told me that we should be more careful with her street escapades. The kids spent the afternoon hugging you and now they're covered in bites! “ he complained, in a low voice “God, I have to make an emergency appointment for you at the pet shop tomorrow, but for now, we have to take care of this the hard way…” still with the cat in her arms, Morgan reached for a fine-tooth comb through the twins' things that were scattered around the sink " I know you're going to hate me for this, but there's no other way...

In a very short time, the bathroom had already been taken over by Sawyer's furious growls and meows, who was trying at all costs to escape the water from the bathtub and the comb that Morgan ran along the length of his fur, throwing more and more fleas into the water at every turn. new pass.

“ I really need to talk to Charlie about the stray dogs and cats that are roaming the complex... “ Morgan panted slightly, trying to keep the little beast in her hands under control “ If, even taking medicine every month, you managed to get infested like this way walking around, then those who live on the street must be in a serious situation...

" Daddy? “ Poppy's scared voice interrupted him and he turned his head to see his children in the bathroom doorway, fearful “What are you doing with Sawyer?

“It's okay, honey. “ He soothed her, moving a little to escape the slash Sawyer had nearly landed on his face, though there wasn't much he could do about his already torn arms. “What happened is, Sawyer has fleas. That's why you and your brother are scratching yourselves, because those little buggers ended up biting you too. Go there's nothing to worry about. I'm bathing him now and tomorrow he's going to the pet shop. We're just going to be a little more careful from now on, okay? “ Morgan sighed, when finally the comb started expelling fewer fleas “ I want you to wash your hands whenever you pet him, especially today, and let me know whenever you see him trying to leave the house.

" To go out? Patrick asked, concerned, and something in his tone let Morgan know there was more to the story than he knew.

“ Yes, leave. “ he replied, wrapping a still furious Sawyer in a towel to dry him off “Why those guilty little eyes? Do you happen to know something you haven't told me or Mom?"

Patrick squeezed his lips and stared at the floor, clearly embarrassed, but his sister intervened at the same moment, with a wide smile, she seemed to be trying to be convincing, but Morgan knew very well how to see her daughter's true intentions. And now she was trying to throw him off, without a doubt.

" No! We just wanted to take a walk with him! “ Poppy waved around, overdoing it by trying to look lighthearted, “But we get it, Daddy! No street for Sawyer!

“That's right…” Morgan grumbled, knowing he would need to dig deeper, but he needed to solve Sawyer's problem first. Why don't you go play a little game or watch some TV while I do this and then I'll call you when dinner is on the table?

With one last fearful glance in the direction of the grumpy cat, the children nodded, walking out of the bathroom already looking like they were conspiring under their breath over something Morgan couldn't understand, but which she would work out later. Finally releasing Sawyer in the laundry room, who gave him one last nervous scratch as punishment, he hurried to the kitchen, relieved to find that the food hadn't burned, even though it had come close. And, once the dinner table was set, he picked up his cell phone instead of calling the kids right away, calling Charlie instead.

“ Sawyer? With fleas? “ she gasped, when he told her “ But he takes the best medicine on the market today for that! Whatever other animal passed this on to him, it must have been yesterday or today, as the fleas didn't die from his immunized blood.

“I don't know how this happened either, but I put him in the laundry room to get away from the kids and Matilda until I can take him to the pet shop tomorrow to get it sorted out completely. “ Morgan sighed, starting to walk towards the living room, to call the twins “What I don't understand is how he manages to escape so much. I thought the toys we installed around the house would be enough for him not to get bored and want...

But Morgan's sentence froze in his throat when, upon entering the living room, he found Poppy and Patrick, who should have been sitting on the sofa watching the cartoon that was playing on television, kneeling in front of the living room door, which gave access to the garden. and outside, with Sawyer at her side. And it didn't take Morgan a long look to realize that they were trying to open it without making any noise.

“Morgan? “ Charlie asked on the other end of the line, probably finding his silence awkward “What happened?

“I think I figured out what happened. “ he confided to her, in a whisper “ I'll sort it out and then I'll call you back to tell you what our little brats got up to this time.

“I will be looking forward to it. Charlie chuckled, before hanging up.

Approaching the twins silently, Morgan stopped less than a meter away from them and watched as they tried to make a tremendous effort to reach the handle with their small hands, bouncing like rabbits, while Sawyer watched them closely, swaying his body as if he was prepared to shoot out as soon as the slightest crack was opened.

“This is not working! “ Poppy complained, irritated. “We're going to have to do that again. You lie down on the floor and I climb on top of you to reach...

“Do you swear that you forced your brother to serve as a bank for you? Morgan commented, crossing his arms and leaning back against the wall as the children turned to face him, startled.

" Daddy...! “ they gasped in unison and even Sawyer let out a high-pitched, irritable meow, as if having him there was the worst thing that could happen.

“ Now…” Placing himself between them and the door, Morgan crouched down to be at their level, patient “Do you want to explain to me what's going on? And what the hell does that have to do with Sawyer being covered in fleas?

The twins looked at each other tensely as Sawyer started scratching at the front door irritably, but a meow from outside stopped them. Knowing that none of her animals were in the front yard, Morgan got up, walking until she could look out one of the windows, surprised to find another cat outside. He was pitch black and ruffled and unkempt, with gray spots that looked like dirt and not part of his coat. And Morgan had fed enough animals around Charlie to know what expression they wore when they were waiting for something.

“You made a new friend, is that it? “ Morgan asked, confused. “Why didn't they tell you? You know your mother and I would be happy to take care of him...

“You should try to get close to him, Daddy. Poppy interrupted him, in an almost defiant tone.

" Why? Is she aggressive? “ he asked, concerned, but the twins just looked away at Sawyer, who was now scratching the front door even harder “Okay then. I will check. But no getting too close to Sawyer, huh?

“With Sawyer in here, it's not funny! he heard his daughter complain, as he shoved their cat out of the way and managed to close the door before it bolted again, earning an angry snarl in return.

Curious, Morgan approached the kitten, expecting it to be skittish or at the very least try to run away. However, on the contrary, he came to rub his ankles as soon as he approached, meekly accepting his caresses to the point of showing his cute little belly to him, making Morgan realize that it was a female.

“What a sweetie you are…” he complimented her, sighing sadly as he ran his hands through her fur and realized that the poor thing was covered not only in fleas but also ticks. “I think now I know why Sawyer was like that. But why didn't my kids tell me about you? It's one of the friendliest cats I've ever...?

As he muttered that phrase, though, his eyes ended up wandering across the yard and landing on one of the lower windows in the living room, where the twins and Sawyer were watching him pet the kitten. He didn't know house cats were capable of making murderous expressions, but at least Sawyer was, because there was no other way to describe the way he was baring his fangs and clearly almost roaring as he watched Morgan make friends with the cat. .

“Oh, I think I understand what the problem is. “ he couldn't help but laugh, picking up his cat's girlfriend in his arms “ So, are you my daughter-in-law? Well, it's nice to meet you, but with all due respect, before I welcome you as the newest member of the family, I'm going to need you to take some meds and take a shower. “ Morgan told, taking her to the garage, while she did not stop purring in his arms.

Finally, once he'd set up a makeshift bed for her with some blankets and an old, slightly chewed up Matilda bed they'd kept there, Morgan went back inside the house to get a powerful dose of medicine for the poor kitty. However, the second he set foot in the room, Sawyer flew at her leg, like a demon from hell, beyond furious.

“That's why we didn't tell you, Dad. “ Patrick was keen to explain, while Morgan struggled to get the angry cat off him “ Sawyer gets very angry when someone gets close to Moana.

“Does she already have a name? he asked, when he finally managed to hold Sawyer far enough away that he wouldn't rip her face off.

“ We gave it! “ Poppy said proudly “ But, now that you found out, can we keep her, Daddy? “ she wasted no time in asking excitedly “ I know you and Mom will be able to make Sawyer less mean when we pet her! You can do anything...!

“We'll think about it when Mom comes home tomorrow, honey. The important thing now is that Moana will need to be in the garage for a while, until her flea and tick problem gets better.

As if he understood, Sawyer jumped out of his arms and bolted for the front door again, as if he couldn't wait to see his sweetheart again.

“I'm sorry buddy but I can't support this dating while your girl can infest the whole house and all your furry brothers. “ Morgan laughed, earning an angry snarl in response. “I know, I know, Romeo. It will be frustrating for a while, but I promise it will be worth it later. If I were you, I'd try to relax..." he escaped another scratch, pulling the kids onto his lap to prevent Sawyer from taking it out on them too, "Or I'll be forced to leave you at the laundry room until your girlfriend is free of fleas , for you to reflect on your behavior.

Thankfully, it didn't take that long, though Sawyer literally spent the rest of the night meowing plaintively around the house, as if he was suffering from being away from his girlfriend. Moana, on the other hand, was a polite little angel who took her meds easily and didn't even complain too much during the makeshift bath Morgan gave her in the garage, instructed by Charlie.

“I can't believe Sawyer had a secret girlfriend. “ she laughed that night when they were talking, before she boarded the plane “ Lucky for us he's neutered or we'd have a whole new family to feed for sure.

“Did you see the videos the kids sent you? He's definitely a romantic, like a good Sullivan. “ Morgan chuckled “I'm glad he was more assertive at least.

" Or maybe not. You never know how much she had to insist, until he gave in. “ Charlie teased, making him snort “But, well, it's always nice to welcome a new member into the family. With the right treatment, she'll be able to be with Sawyer soon."

“Oh, please, before he decides to kill me for getting in the way of their love."

“ Well, I can't disagree that you have a certain history of making love stories difficult... “ she grumbled into the phone, good-natured “But, don't worry, I'll get there in a few hours and sort this out, how ever."

“Thank you, wife. “ he laughed “ Always saving me."

“Always putting you in line, actually, husband. “ she corrected him, smiling “ So ask our lovers to wait for me, okay? If anyone can solve a Sullivan's love problems, it's me."