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supposed to, that is come out of the oven edible. She either burned everything, undercooked it, or
some weird combination of both. Haley was damn determined to help her and she appreciated it,
especially since knowing how to bake would come in pretty handy with her household of Bradfords.
Well, not everyone is as busy as my baby so they can all, Trevor s eyes shot down to their seven
year old twins, Jonathan, a.k.a. Johnnie , and Sebastian and their six year old twins, Mathew and
Jessica, who were all looking up at their father innocently, too innocently, Zoe noted, go suck an
egg, Trevor finished, pursing his face up like he swallowed a lemon much to the children s delight.
Zoe narrowed her eyes on the two sets of fraternal twins, and she thanked god everyday that they
weren t identical because she really didn t know how she d handle the little deviants if she couldn t
even tell them apart, and wondered what they were up to now. When all four of them turned those
charming Bradford smiles on her she knew it was going to be bad.
Very bad.
What did you do? she demanded, trying to cross her arms over her chest and look stern, but
unfortunately for her it never really had much of an effect on her kids.
Why, whatever do you mean, mommy? Sebastian, the perfect picture of innocence, asked. Like the
rest of his siblings he had her hair and eyes, but his father s devastatingly good looks and charm and
wasn t afraid to use them.
What did you kids- Trevor started to say, no doubt noting the sweet smiles on their faces and
becoming as frightened as she was, only to be interrupted when one of the cashiers, a pretty blonde in
her late twenties who d been eying Trevor like candy since they d walked in, announced that their
order was ready. After giving the children a look of warning he gave her a quick kiss and went to the
counter to get the boxes of baked goods.
Johnnie gave her that same smile he gave her when his teacher, who d been trembling and sobbing at
the time, informed her that he believed the twins had been the ones to lock him in the closet with the
school s pet snake, Choppers. She hadn t bought his innocent act then and she wasn t buying it now.
Remember what your father and I said earlier. If either one of you does anything bad then we re not
going to your Uncle Jason and Aunt Haley s today, she said, knowing how much the kids adored
Jason and Haley and refused to see them as anything less than their aunt and uncle. It was the same
way for Jason and Haley s kids with them, but Jason and Haley s kids didn t scare the holy hell out of
them with their innocent little smiles.
But, we re being good, Jessica said, trying to give her the pouty innocent look that usually worked
on her father.
Really good, Mathew added with a hurt smile that was threatening to break out into a full grin. The
boy really needed to work on his innocent act and judging by the scowl Johnnie was sending him he
agreed and would probably look into the matter later.
Zoe closed her eyes for a moment. Please don t let us end up on the ten o clock news again, she
mumbled, wishing she was back home in the large spa-like bathroom Trevor built for her as a belated
wedding gift. Over the years it had become her refuge, the one place she went to relax and recuperate
after dealing with the twins, both sets. She d lost count of how many times she d handed the children
over to Trevor as soon as he stepped foot into the house and escaped to her bathroom where she
usually stayed for a good three to four hours until Trevor came to get her after he d put the kids to bed
to help her relax in other ways.
It was the eleven o clock news, Sebastian proudly pointed out.
She opened her eyes just in time to catch all four children grinning hugely at the reminder of their
fifteen minutes of fame. When they realized she was looking at them their expressions once again
became innocent, even Mathew s. Hmm, he was learning quickly, she noted, not exactly sure how she
should feel about that other than terrified that is.
We didn t do anything, mommy. I don t know why you don t trust us, Johnnie said, giving her a
wounded look as he gave her a little shrug. We ve been-
Hey, what the hell is wrong with my cell phone? a man who d been standing next to them not five
minutes ago demanded loudly.
There s something wrong with mine, too! the woman who d tried to cut in front of them earlier
said, sounding pretty pissed.
Mine, too! someone else yelled.
Why the hells are my settings in Japanese? someone else demanded, but Zoe wasn t looking at
them. She was looking at her four children, who if physically possible were looking even more
innocent.
Let s go, Trevor said, suddenly by her side with an armful of white bakery boxes as he herded their
children out of the bakery, no doubt already having put two and two together.
No one said a word as they climbed into the minivan and the boxes were placed in the back, minus
the large chocolate chip cookie Trevor was nibbling on. He climbed into the driver s seat and shot
the children a warning glare. I don t know what you did in there, he held up his hand in a stopping
motion when all four kids opened their mouths, no doubt to protest their innocence, and I don t care.
But whoever acts up tonight will be spending the entire night with your great Aunt Judie and will only
be allowed to eat tossed salad and drink water, he threatened and Zoe had to turn her face and bite
her lip to stop from laughing, especially when all the children gasped loudly, sounding horrified. To a
Bradford a meal based on lettuce, veggies and water was pure hell and her kids were very much
Bradfords.
You wouldn t, Johnnie protested, but didn t sound so sure and for good reason. Trevor never made
promises he didn t keep and the kids knew that.
Try me, Trevor said evenly, making Zoe smile.
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