"So that's how Daddy and Aunt Carrie found out you were brother and sister?" The eight year old asked. Laney and Lenny nodded.
"Yes, and it's all one-hundred percent true," The female twin answered. The three children went 'ohh' simultaneously.
"That's a really neat story, Mommy," the littlest one said from her lap. She smiled at her daughter, tapping her nose so that she giggled.
"Didn't I tell you we'd have fun retelling this story?" Lenny boasted to Laney. She rolled her eyes.
The oldest child tugged his uncle's hand. Lenny glanced down and hummed.
"Will you tell us about the time Aunt Carrie broke Dad's finger?" the eleven year old asked, his cousin and sibling cheering in agreement. Laney looked to her brother.
"Maybe later, Dylan," Lenny said. They began to pout and argue.
The front door opened, revealing Corey and Carrie carrying takeout bags. The children jumped up to greet them.
"Mommy, Uncle Corey, guess what!" The middle child said, fishing a stray fry from the bottom of the bag. The ex-bandleaders glanced at each other. Carrie shrugged under Corey's questioning stare.
"I have no idea, Zoey," Carrie replied, the slightest bit hesitant.
"Daddy and Aunt Laney told us about you finding out they're bro and sis."
Carrie flushed, remembering how she had kicked Lenny out of the band. Lenny chuckled at her expression.
"It's okay, we left out most of the details and gave them the watered down version. Next week's story will be about the time you broke Corey's pinkie!" he said. The kids cheered through mouthfuls of chicken nuggets.
"I learned something, Daddy," the smallest said quietly.
"And what would that be, Allison?" Corey asked, pulling a chair up to the table. The little girl was only five, but she was the brightest, calmest, and mischievous five-year-old Corey had ever seen. Granted he had only seen a two, Dylan and Zoey.
"Never not tell the truth. A secret you have to hide from your friends is a secret that needs to be told right now." Told you she was smart. The adults nodded, followed by the older kids, who didn't quite understand it but decided they wanted to be like their parents.
"Very wise, Allison. Did Mommy tell you that?" Corey asked. Allison blushed, replying timidly, "Only the last part."
Laney grinned sheepishly as the others laughed.
"You know, I'm glad all our kids are friends," Lenny told the other adults as they watched the youngsters play with their happy meal toys. Dylan heard this and sighed.
"I'm surrounded by girls though," he complained. Lenny ruffled his hair.
"I was in a girl's band for six years, Dilly. You get used to it." The older red head leaned down to whisper, "It also improves your chances with the ladies."
"Lenny!" Laney yelled accusingly as Carrie swatted the back of his head. Lenny hardly reacted, except to laugh at Dylan's look of disgust.
The adults soon sent the children upstairs to play while they cleaned up. Carrie and Lenny made sure to tell Zoey not to get to involved in a game because they would be leaving soon. The child knew that 'leaving soon' meant between now and an hour, so she told Dylan to get out a good racing game.
Corey suddenly chuckled to himself, as he threw away the bags.
"What's so funny?" Carrie asked, having just dropped a drink on the floor. Corey quickly held up his hands, as if to claim innocence.
"Don't worry, I wasn't laughing at you. I was just thinking about telling that story to our grandkids," He answered. Laney leaned against the counter and put a hand to her heart.
"Jeez, Core, don't even began to talk about grandkids," She groaned.
Lenny collapsed into a chair overdramatically. "I feel so old! Carrie, sweetie, hand me my cane."
The group burst out laughing.
"Next week," Corey began after he stopped laughing, "We're totally going to tell them about Carrie breaking my finger." He glanced pointedly at his ex-rival.
Carrie stomped her foot and glared at him. "For the millionth time, it was an accident! You were the one who tied my shoes together in the first place!"
Corey looked guilty. "You are absolutely right. I'm sorry that you're so clumsy."
That sent them into such a hysteric that the children came downstairs and began wonder if their parents were crazy.