VENUS - Theodore Nott

part 32

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The house was bustling with the energy of kids, laughter, and chatter filling the air. Alexander and Elliot, the teenage twins, were arguing playfully over a game they were playing, while Thomas, or as they called him Tom, and Delilah sat nearby coloring in a coloring book, their tongues sticking out in concentration.

Mae and Theodore sat at the kitchen table, watching them with affectionate smiles.

"Do you think we did a good job raising them?" Theodore asked, his gaze drifting over to his sons.

Mae chuckled, turning to look at the twins, who were now having a mock sword fight with their coloring pencils.

"I think we did a pretty good job," she said, her voice filled with pride. "They're healthy, happy, and mostly good."

Theodore chuckled. "Mostly good," he agreed, shaking his head.

"I can't believe how quickly they've grown. It feels like just yesterday they were babies."

Mae nodded, her eyes going soft as she watched Tom and Delilah coloring.

"They definitely grow up fast," she agreed. "I feel like every time I turn around they're asking questions or telling me stories. And the other twins..."

She shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "Well, you know how stubborn they are."

Theodore chuckled softly. "Oh, do I ever," he said, amusement in his voice. "I swear, those boys are going to be the death of me one day."

Just then, Alexander and Elliot appeared in the kitchen, looking a little sheepish.

"Hey, Mom," Alexander said, his voice a little too casual. "We need your help with something."

Mae raised an eyebrow, immediately sensing trouble.

"What?" she asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

Alexander and Elliott exchanged a glance as if silently debating who should speak. Finally, Elliot spoke up.

"We, uh, may have accidentally broken something."

She took a deep sigh. "What exactly did you break?" she asked with a firm voice, her arms still crossed.

The twins glanced at each other again, clearly not wanting to admit what they had done.

Theodore hid a smirk behind his hand, knowing exactly what was coming.

Finally, after a few moments of awkward silence, Alexander spoke up. "It was the vase...in the living room."

Mae's frown deepened, and Theodore chuckled softly under his breath.

"The one your grandmother gave us?" Mae asked, her voice laced with disappointment and annoyance.

The twins nodded meekly, their eyes downcast. They knew they were in trouble now.

"It was an accident, Mom," Elliot protested, his voice small. "I swear, we didn't mean to."

Mae sighed, rubbing her forehead.

"I know you didn't mean it," she said, her voice softer. "But that vase was important to us. It's irreplaceable."

The twins looked even more remorseful, their shoulders slumping. They knew they had made a mistake.

Theodore, sensing his wife's frustration, stepped in.

"Don't be too hard on them, love," he said gently. "They are boys after all. They're bound to make mistakes."

Mae took a deep breath, her expression softening a little.