Date

"What if something happens?"

"Then she'll call us."

"But what if something happens to her first and she can't call us?"

"You're overreacting."

"No I am not. I am worried about the safety of our sons. Anything could happen, especially in Neptune. A person could break into our house, kill the babysitter, and take the boys. Or what if they just kill the boys?"

"Now you're just being difficult."

"I'm not going."

"You said you would. We've been planning this for a month. You just don't want to leave the boys with Jessica."

"Damn straight I don't. She's a stranger."

"She's sixteen, certified in CPR, and has babysat almost every kid on this street. She's watched the boys before."

"But we were nearby when she did. We were within shouting distance."

"And now we'll be within calling distance. It's not like we're leaving Neptune."

"What if we take the police cruiser? That way if something happens we can turn the lights on and get home quicker."

"How does your mind come up with these things?"

"Is that a yes to the cruiser?"

"No, we're not taking the cruiser. We are taking the car, like a normal couple going out on a much needed date."

A pause. Then, "We should take the boys with us. You know what? I like that idea. I'm going to call Jessica and cancel and we can take our sons with us."

"No we are not taking them with us. I love them, but I was hoping to spend time with you. Just the two of us."

"Why can't we go as a family?"

"You wouldn't be acting like this if Keith was watching the kids. Hell, you're okay when Mac or Wallace watches the boys, and Wallace lost Liam that one time."

"Wait-Wallace lost our son?!"

"Did you not know that?"

"No!"

"Whoops…he begged me not to say anything…but, uh, he lost Liam when he took them to the park a few months ago."

"You've known for months and you're just now telling me?"

"I didn't tell you because I knew you'd be angry. See? I was right."

"I'm going to kill Wallace…Let go of me."

"Kill him tomorrow. We're going on our date tonight."

"Fine…Okay…I said okay, let me go! Thank you."

"Now, will you please go get dressed? It's almost six and Jessica's coming over about six forty-five. You can nag her when she gets here, all right?"

"Yeah, whatever."

"Thank you. Now, go. Shower."

Fifteen minutes later, the bathroom door opened, steam rolling out from a hot shower. "What if the house catches fire?"

"Why are you trying to make up horrible stories? Why can't you believe that the night will go smoothly? Jessica and the boys will be perfectly fine and nothing bad is going to happen. The worst thing that will happen is that Jessica will be sitting on the couch, bored, while the boys are asleep in their cribs and there's nothing on TV."

"Would you just let me worry? If I get all the bad scenarios out now, I'll be fine during dinner."

"Liar. You'll be a fucking mess if I let you continue to think like this. Next you'll be thinking that Jessica is going to kidnap or kill the boys and try to blame it on somebody else."

"Oh my God! What if she does?!"

"Oh come on! It was a joke."

"Not a very funny one."

"You're being overprotective."

"One of us has to be."

"Not gonna touch that one. Will you please finish getting ready?"

Another ten minutes. "There I'm done. Now, back to the whole 'our sons getting murdered' thing."

"What thing? There is no thing."

"What if-"

"In case you hadn't noticed, these are all 'what if' scenarios. As in, they have the tiniest chance of ever happening."

"You say that, but you do recall our conversation a half hour ago about Wallace losing our son, right?"

"You thought he was a good babysitter until I told you that."

"I also think he's going to be the one that will allow the boys to drink when they're teenagers."

"How far ahead do you think? They're not even a year old yet."

"So? It's normal for a parent to think of the future."

"But if you're thinking of the boys' future, then obviously they're going to be fine tonight."

"Don't use logic with me right now. I just want to be a hysterical, overprotective parent that will drive our babysitting insane with texts and phone calls every five minutes."

"Give me your phone."

"No."

"Give me…Thank you."

"I hate you."

"You love me. I'm going to leave your phone here."

"No! What if someone needs me?"

"Then they can call me if it's that important. We're leaving the phone here-right here-until we get home, okay? If anything happens, I'll have my phone."

"This is a terrible idea. What if it's work?"

"It's Saturday night. Neither of us is working tonight."

"There could be an emergency."

"Then they can call me, even if they need you."

"This is probably the worst idea you've ever had."

"Now we both know that isn't true."

"Quit being an asshole. Give me the phone."

"Now you're resorting to name calling? Could you maybe be an adult for a minute? Think logically."

"I can do that…What if the house catches on fire because someone broke in? What if it's on fire and Jessica is injured or dead and the boys are still upstairs?"

"Should I be letting near our kids? Your thoughts are dangerous."

"It's worst case scenario."

"And your worst cases always end with the boys dying or being kidnapped."

"It happens all the time."

"You're being unreasonable."

"No I'm being realistic."

"As if. You're talking about our kids' deaths."

A shrug. "It has to be said."

The doorbell rang. "That's probably Jessica. I'll go answer the door. You go get the boys, say goodbye. Maybe that will make you feel better."

"I don't think so."

"Well, try."

They went their separate ways, one to the door and the other to say goodbye to the sleeping babies. Downstairs, a pretty sixteen year old girl was being let into the house.

"You look nice," Jessica said with a smile.

"Oh thank you, Jessica. How are you tonight?"

"I'm doing well. Great actually. Are you excited for a night away from the boys? I mean, I know you're going to miss them but every parent needs a break once in a while."

A laugh. "That we do, Jessica. It'll be good for us to get away."

"Where's Mr. Don?"

"Oh he's upstairs, saying good bye to the boys. He's been having a meltdown tonight, afraid something bad will happen to you and the boys."

Jessica laughed. "There's always the one parent that overreacts."

"Who knew it'd be Neptune's big bad sheriff?"