give him back

9.

The kids grandparents pull into their driveway, parking the car. They hear a car right behind them. They all get out, turning around to see Myles and McKayla. Arielle runs up to them.

"Uncle Myles, Aunt Mickey!" She yells happily, jumping into Myles' arms. They hug all three little ones and walk inside. Myles sits Arielle on the couch and sits next to her.

"So Romeo, Dad told me you're friends are coming over this weekend?" He asks. Romeo nods and smiles.

"Yeah, he's right! And they met Mama and Poppy already." he says excitedly. He can't wait for Charlie and Greyson to get there. They chat a bit more while everyone else goes upstairs to the kids room. April and Arielle put their clothes away. All three of the kids have their own dressers in the walk in closet to maximize the space of the room.

McKayla sits on Arielle's bed. "So are you two gonna sleep in here with Bub's friends or what?" Their grandparents want to know to in case the boys parents ask where they'll be sleeping. April shrugs.

"Well, if Bubby wants us to, but we can also sleep in the living room or with you." She says. Her aunt nods.

"Papa, can you put the projector later, can we all watch a movie with popcorn in here?" Arielle speaks up. He nods, smiling and picking her up. Their grandmother's phone starts ringing.

"Hello? Oh hi, Calvin. Hold on ill put you on speaker." She says.

"Hi, Poppy!" The girls both say.

"Hi girls! Your Mama and I miss you all already. Did Ro's friends show up yet?" He asks.

"Not yet, Dear. Any minute now, the-" Mrs. Brooks is cut off as Romeo comes in.

"Dad, Grey and Charlie are here. Can I open the door?" He asks. The kids aren't allowed to open the door without asking permission first.

"Of course, Bud. Let them in and they can make themselves comfortable." He tells him. Romeo nods and goes back down. Mrs. Brooks says goodbye to Calvin and says they'll video chat before bed, like always.

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"Darling, he did it again." Calvin says, sounding defeated. Michelle walks closer, grabbing her husband's hand.

"What do you mean Cal?" She asks.

"Romeo called him 'Dad' again. I called to make sure they were alright and see if his friends made it. He ran in and said 'Dad, they're here, can I open the door?' He's still calling him that after I asked him not to..." he says. Michelle just shrugs, not knowing what to say.

"Well, when the kids get back you can talk to him about it more. I don't think he's doing it to be rude though, Cal. I think maybe he just does that."

Calvin doesn't say anything.

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Romeo runs down the steps and opens the door, letting in his friends and their parents. They all hug and Charlie's mom pats his head.

"Sweetie, where's your grandparents? You shouldn't open the door yourself." she says. She's very motherly to all the kids. Sometimes Romeo and his sisters go to her place and spend the night. Romeo loves going to hers.

"It's okay, Ms. Davis, my Dad said I can open the door while they were on the phone with Poppy." He tells her as they all sit on the couch. She nods.

"Hello!" Romeo's grandmother says as she and her husband walk into the living room to greet everyone. They all say hello and chat a but before his friends parents get ready to leave.

Greyson hugs his parents, squeezing his mom a little longer.

"Bye, Momma. Can I call before I go to sleep tonight?" He asks. He's just as close with his Mom as Romeo is with his. She nods.