"Honey!" Sam called from downstairs, "I think Nicole's report card is here! I think you should see it."
Thundering footsteps came from above, revealing Devin.
"Is it bad?" he wondered, "Do I have to go papa-bear on her?"
Sam pursed his lips but shrugged.
"Well, she got an A, in most classes..." Sam trailed off. Devin raised an eyebrow at him.
"Yeah? And why do you sound so hesitant?" Devin asked.
"Well..." Sam was now biting his lip, "It looks like she is about five points away from failing English." Sam was nervously fiddling with the paper. Devin blinked twice.
"Let me see that," Devin stormed over and grabbed his daughter's report card out of Sam's hand. He glanced over it, then looked up at Sam. "How is that even possible? She has a free English tutor right here." Devin gestured to himself.
"Maybe you should talk to her," Sam suggested, taking the paper out of Devin's hand.
"You're right, baby," Devin leaned over and gave Sam a kiss on the mouth. "I'll be right back," he said.
"Don't get too mad at her!" Sam reminded as Devin walked away.
Devin walked up to Nicole's door; the door had a sign on it that said "Gamer Lounge: Keep Out" and another sign that said, "No boys allowed." Devin knocked on the door.
"Nicole!" he said, "Come out. We need to talk."
After a couple seconds, the thirteen-year-old poked her head out of the door. She was very pretty and petite. She had Klara's straight, black hair. She had Devin's eyes. She also had Devin's temper; although, she usually took it out on video game rage.
"What?" she asked.
"Why on earth do you have a D in English? You are five points away from failing a class that your dad went to college for!" Devin stressed. "Why don't you just ask me for help?"
"I don't really need help, dad," Nicole sassed, "Reading is just boring." Devin tried to pretend that his heart was broken from that statement. Devin's favorite subject was always English, and it really perturbed him that his own child hated it.
"Have you tried listening to audiobooks?" Devin asked, "You could listen to them while you are playing your games."
"Maybe..." Nicole trailed, looking back into her room, "Anyway, is that all? I have a match that I have to get back to."
"Oh, well I just wanted to let you know that we are going to Grandpa Nick's house tomorrow for a family thing," Devin stated, "So, please gather your stuff together. I think we might stay the night."
"Ew," she replied, "Why can we not come home after visiting?"
"Because, Nicole, I love Grandpa Nick because he is my parent. And, unlike you, I actually miss seeing my parents. And Nick misses you," Devin sassed back, "So, we are seeing him for as long as possible."
Nicole rolled her eyes.
"Fine," she said, "Can I get back to my match now?"
"Actually, no," Devin set his hands on his hips, "You are grounded for getting a D in English, and for treating your Grandpa Nick with disrespect. He is doing a lot of preparation just to see us. You know what, I am even going to turn the WIFI off."
"What!? Dad no! I didn't mean to be that way!" Nicole pleaded, wide eyes, "I'll do better in English, I promise!"
"Should have thought of that in advance," Devin shrugged, turning to leave and pull the plug on the WIFI.
"You know what, I hate you! You never let me just live my life!" Nicole yelled after him, "At least I only have a D in English. At least I am not having a kid at 16 years old!"
Devin rolled his eyes. Nicole's yells were silenced by a door slamming.
Devin made his way back downstairs and sat with Sam on the couch. He let out a big sigh.
"I take it that it did not go well?" Sam questioned.
"How could you tell?" Devin asked sarcastically. "I grounded her" he said.
"That is fair," Sam shrugged.
"Teenage girls," Devin shook his head, "God, she was so much easier to deal with as a baby."
"Yeah, but at least we get more sleep now," Sam offered.
"I guess," Devin sighed again, he looked at Sam, "Do you think she really hates me?"
"No," Sam shook his head, "She just hates that she can't get away with everything."
"I think she gets that from Klara," Devin wrinkled his nose, "Unfortunately."
Sam chuckled and leaned over to give Devin a sensual kiss.
"I think she got it from you a little too," Sam noted, smiling a little bit, "You were always determined to get what you wanted, no matter what."
"Eh," Devin joked, smiling back, "I don't see it." He scooped Sam up into his lap, causing a small yelp from Sam. Sam then repositioned himself to sit in Devin's lap, straddling Devin's thighs.
"Oh, so scandalous," Sam teased, "Sitting like this out in the open, where Nicole can see us."
"God, I miss the days where I could just ravage you anywhere and anytime," Devin nuzzled his nose with Sam's. Sam chuckled.
"Me too," Sam smiled, then gasped, "Hey! While Nicole is giving us the silent treatment, do you want to...?"
"Let me unplug the WIFI first, and then..." Devin gave Sam a once-over with his eyes, "You better have no clothes on by the time I get in the room."
Sam squeaked, immediately getting off Devin's lap and running to their bedroom.
Devin enjoyed watching him from behind.
YOU ARE READING
Finding Yourself: Book Three
RomanceTHE FINAL BOOK of the FINDING YOURSELF series. Nick Moore had always lived a life of suffering. After divorcing his awful (ex) husband, Nick has several kids he is responsible for taking care of and a lot of work ahead of him. What happens when a lo...
