CEO's Runaway Mate and Her Cubs

«What are we going to do today, mommy?» asked Scarlet before digging in her third doughnut of the day.

«We'll go to the beach... I suppose.»

«And what can we do there?»

«Swim in the sea and play with the sand.»

«How do we play with the sand?»

«We'll figure it out, Scarlet. Now eat your breakfast, please.»

As soon as Scarlet nodded and bit her food, Jaden opened his mouth to talk in her stead.

Lara stopped a deep sigh. It wasn't like her cubs were too annoying, either way. And she was eating mouthwatering food on a soft mattress while looking at the sea. What else could she need if not her cubs cuddling with her and asking one question after the other?

«Does the sea have an end?» Jade said, stretching out his hands for Lara to clean his sticky fingers.

«Yes, Jaden. We just don't see it.»

«And do you know how to swim, mommy?»

«I do. Not too well, just enough not to be taken away by the sea.»

«Taken away?» Jaden repeated, suddenly solemn. If the sea wanted to take his mommy away, then it must have been better if she didn't swim. He had to convince her not to...

«Ah, don't worry,» Lara chuckled, patting his head. «Your mommy can't be just dragged away by a single wave. I'm tougher than that.»

«I can go fetch her if that happens,» Nate exclaimed from the living room.

He wasn't eavesdropping on their conversation. Just, his senses allowed him to hear as if they were in the same room. And the doors were all open, to begin with.

Jaden nodded, even though he knew Nate couldn't see him. His mommy's safety was more important than his hate towards that man.

«I'm almost done getting ready,» he added, his head poking at the door. «What about you?»

«So we are. Just wait for Scarlet to be done with her... Uhm... Third? Gosh, what do they put in these things? They're delicious!» Lara replied.

«I knew you would like it,» Nate chuckled.

He returned to the living room, where he was preparing everything they could need on the beach. He had informed himself about what kids liked and needed when playing under the sun, and his mother had added a few things he didn't think about. Like, for example, hats for the pups.

They shouldn't stay under the direct sun in the hottest hours even if summer had barely begun. And they needed to be always under watch when in the water.

His mother had lectured him for a while about everything, and he had rolled his eyes and complained, reminding her he wasn't irresponsible. But in secret, he had listened to everything with great attention, especially regarding what women could need.

He had bought a swimsuit for Lara as well, guessing her size and asking the pups if he was close enough. Then, he had found good sunglasses, an elegant hat, and some light readings. Even though he doubted Lara could relax enough for books with those hyperactive pups around.

Scarlet and Jaden had chosen their own swimsuits, oddly matching the colours of Lara's. He had asked for water wings and other floating accessories for the kids to be safe at any moment.

He doubted the pups would venture far, but it was better to prevent any accident.

Also, Lara would have been happy to see he was careful. It would have bought him points with her.

He chuckled, preparing everything and checking once again the pups. They had brought the swimsuits to Lara, and she was already dressing them.

As always, buying something for Scarlet was easier than for Jaden. The little boy was so unhappy to accept anything from Nate. He had chosen a swimsuit after so many struggles and only because it was of the same white as Lara's. Scarlet, on the other side, also wanted something blue.

«Here,» Nate said when the twins were ready. «I bought this for you. I didn't know whether you had a swimsuit, so I dared to buy one... Just in case...»

«Oh, thanks! I'll pay you back, just tell me how much...»

«Lara, please. Just accept it, okay? We agreed I would bring you all on holiday, didn't we?»

«Yes, but...»

«No buts. Let me make it up for the years I wasn't there. Okay? It's just a little thing; it won't change anything for either of us.»

«Uhm... then, thanks,» she sighed, her cheeks blushing lightly for some reason she had no idea about.

It was just a small gesture, Nate was right. But her heart was oddly, ridiculously, happy because of that. She liked being taken care of, and it had been so long since the last time that something as simple as breakfast could make her happy.

«Get ready, or we'll lose the best hours,» Nate continued. «The kids shouldn't stay under the sun at midday, after all.»

He turned and left her to change, calling the pups to follow him and prepare. They obeyed without many complaints, and they peeked in the bags he would carry to the beach.

«What is this?» Scarlet asked, grabbing a white bottle with many words on it.

«It's sunscreen,» Nate replied.

«What is it?»

«It's a cream you use to protect your skin from the sun. If you don't, you risk becoming all red. And it hurts a lot, so you pups are using that.»

«Does our mommy know about it?» Jaden spat out, crossing his arms in a gesture of challenge.

«She will know. And she'll agree. It's for your own good.»

«And what about our mommy? I don't want her to become all red and hurt.»

«Oh, don't worry, Jaden. There's plenty of sunscreen for her as well.»

«And you?»

«Me?» he chuckled. «I'm not as delicate as you lot.»

His pups were half-human. He had to be extra careful around them.. Even though his mother warned him that even wolves could be burnt by the sun, he was sure adults were resistant enough to handle a day at the beach.