You're Mine

chapter 74

Friday, 6th August:

Logan: 12; Layla: 5; Leo: 2; Twins: 2 weeks old

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"Dad, what are we doing for your birthday this year?", Logan asked his father, half-seriously and half-jokingly. It had become an annual thing for them. He knew his dad found it both, funny and annoying.

"Maybe I'll throw you into the pool.", Owen suggested as they were preparing breakfast together, causing his son to chuckle. "So, Atlas hasn't been over for a few weeks now. Everything alright?", he curiously wondered, not trying to sound too nosy.

"Yeah, we're good. He is just pretty busy during summer break. He has a huge family all around the world. Speaking of which, does mom have parents? Because we only ever get to see Uncle Derek, Auntie Megan, and Grandma.", the twelve-year-old realized and named only the biological family members of his parents.

"I used to have parents.", the brunette meddled before her husband could say something she didn't want him to. "My dad died and my mom...did too.", she lied. Was it a total lie though? The woman was dead to her, that much was clear. She had never been fond of her family, but her sisters and her mother not coming to her wedding after being invited had destroyed any small bit of good will that had been left in her.

"What death, mommy?", Leo wanted to know. He and Layla were in the living room, playing something. The twins were sleeping, and Eleanor was running around the yard, ready to be walked after breakfast.

"It's when somebody leaves you forever.", Layla was the one to respond, causing everyone to be silent for a moment. The way she had said it...it had been so natural. Too natural for a five-year-old. Her older brother was so shocked, tears were invading his eyes and he had to embrace his dad for a second, feeling him stroke the back of his head to comfort him.

"And they no tome back? (And they are not coming back?)", the mini blonde continued with another question, not quite getting why anybody would leave his mother because she was such a wonderful person.

"They don't because they cannot do that.", Amelia finally found her voice again. "Their body stops functioning and they surrender to a forever-sleep.", she explained and cursed herself for bringing up such a topic when the toddler was in the room. She should have known better.

"Uh huh, okay.", the two-year-old answered, very interested. He was already thinking of another question to ask by holding his chin with his thumb and pointer finger, but his father was too fast for him to actually ask it.

"Breakfast is ready.", Owen shared, quickly changing the topic. "You okay, buddy?", he questioned their eldest and looked at him with concern in his eyes but the young brunette nodded. His dad had given him something to hold on to and he always did, he admired that about him.

"I want sprinkles on my pancake!", his daughter informed everyone excitedly after her mother had added maple syrup for her already. "I can do it by myself.", she announced and almost emptied half the glass in the process. "Oopsie.", she giggled.

"Munchkin, was that intentionally?", the neurosurgeon wondered while her husband added toppings to Leo's food for him after cutting it into pieces. The boy still didn't really interact with his younger siblings, but he at least accepted their presence more.

"Noooooo.", Layla acted innocent, adding a lot of emphasis to the word as she widely grinned at her mama. "Why? Did it look like it was?", she had the audacity of asking, this time cracking up her dad who just couldn't keep himself from laughing.

"Not at all.", the brunette played along and rolled her eyes at Owen, who was still trying to stop himself from choking on his pancake because his kid was too funny. "You are all a bunch of clowns.", she let everybody at the table know, making the children giggle. "What will we do for your birthday on Monday?"

"Don't ask him that!", Logan advised. "Otherwise, he will reply with throwing you into the pool.", he warned his mom and stole himself half a pancake from his father's plate.

"Hey! You have two healthy legs to use and to get yourself another one from over there.", the redhead complained. "We are having a nice family day. Let's just relax and use the pool and grill or something. What are you doing?", he asked the little brunette across from him, who was doing pantomimes.

"Well, what is that?", she challenged her family members by forming her hand to what could be seen as a vertical tunnel and then slowly moved it to her mouth, which she opened a little. "Any guesses?"

"A drink?", her brothers wondered at the same time, only that the younger one said "dwink". Layla knew that her parents hated when somebody didn't focus on their food, but she just couldn't help it and had to tease everyone all the time.

"Exactly. I'd like one, please.", the five-year-old took the chance of requesting more chocolate milk while holding the cup up for her mother to take. She smirked when her dad had to turn away from the table to not openly laugh again.

"Ouch!", Owen whined upon having his wife stomp on his foot for being so childish. "I'm sorry.", he apologized, swallowing his words as he did because he was still trying to hold the laughter in. "She's just so funny. And at least she said 'please.'"

"Amazing, I am really impressed.", Amelia ironically stated, slowly clapping as to sarcastically applaud. "Next time, ask normally, baby.", she told her daughter when she handed her the cup back. "Here you go. And spend less time with your Uncle Tom. I know where that sassiness is coming from.", she ordered, shaking her head while she grinned.

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a/n: Leo's jealousy storyline isn't done just like that, no worries. You will find out how Omelia are dealing with it in the next chapter. :)