"This is great," Spencer said enthusiastically, as Dave paid the fee for all five of them at the museum. When Spencer had been told that they were going to the museum on the weekend he had been so excited, the first positive emotion that he had shown in Dave's presence. Normally, Spencer wasn't one to display his emotions, especially around a relative stranger, but his excitement had overcome his normal reluctance.
"We haven't been in awhile," Mercia said.
"I know," Diana agreed. "Life just gets so busy."
"We'll just have to make sure we do this more often, as a family," Dave smiled.
"Sounds good to me," Diana said cheerfully, as she took Dave's hand and he immediately gave it a squeeze.
"We can perhaps go to the zoo next time I visit," Dave said.
"We've never been," Meriel said enthusiastically.
"You have, but it was when you were very small," Diana corrected gently. "None of you, except perhaps, for Spencer would remember. You were only two when we went."
"I vaguely remember that," Spencer said seeming deep in thought. He seemed to remember most of the animals weren't in cages, but in enclosures that had been designed to look like the animals natural habitat. "They're called bioparks now just so you know, instead of zoos, though that's a fairly recent development."
Dave snorted in amusement at that, as even Diana looked amazed at what came out of her son's mouth.
The boy was right, Dave knew, as he had taken his own sons to the zoo on several occasions. It was a term that had come about in the late 1980s when zoos became more than animals stuck in cages.
The five of them went to enjoy the exhibits and Spencer especially seemed to enjoy the one with sharp pointy objects, mostly from the medieval period, those that were from other periods in history that had swords, spears and armour, though depending on country the style was totally different.
The girls seemed to enjoy a lot of the art, paintings especially that from Leonardo da Vinci, Monet and Michelangelo. By the time it was time for lunch they had toured several galleries. There had been several new displays setup since the last time the Reids had been and so they enjoyed seeing the new ones. The museum was of course, too big to see all in one day, but they had seen quite a bit of it.
After lunch all the kids were allowed to buy one item of their choice from the gift shop and Spencer chose a book about the history of art, while the girls chose something totally different.
By the end of the day, Spencer had relaxed a little around him and Dave was glad to see it.
~~~Dave and Diana~~~
Back in Virginia
The Rossi Residence
"What's the problem boys?" Ariel asked James and Marshall who were in their room feeling despondent. They weren't playing, they weren't really doing anything except laying on their beds. They had been to quiet, so Ariel had come to check on them.
"Dad, doesn't he love us anymore?" Came the voice of James. Dave was gone yet again to visit Diana and Ariel had known this was coming.
The boys might be very mature for their ages, but their father had been gone a lot lately. Ariel knew that Dave loved his sons fiercely, but she had also been urging him for a long time to find a new mate and it looked like that had finally occurred. It was rather unfortunate that Diana lived all the way in Las Vegas, but you couldn't really help who you fell in love with.
If this Diana, could made her employer and friend happy she'd be very happy for the pair.
"He's never here anymore," Marshall added looking totally despondent sad and worried.
"He loves you very much boys," Ariel assured them. "It's just right now he's met someone, but she doesn't live here in Virginia or even Washington, but in Las Vegas which is many hundreds of miles away. They've been courting for months now and you know what that means."
"That we'll soon have a new mother," Marshall said and Ariel nodded encouragingly.
"Exactly," Ariel said. "You know how lonely your father's been and while he loves you, children grow up and move out eventually. He's been needing to find someone for himself for a long time. I suspect, although it's not a sure thing, that you will indeed have a new mother soon and also three new siblings."
Since their father had told them the same thing both boys nodded.
"I'll make sure I tell your father how you're feeling and I'm sure he'll spend sometime with you once he gets home," Ariel promised. "Courting someone is a delicate process, but as far as I know, the relationship is going well, as your father has been happy every time he's come home and doesn't your father spend plenty of time with you when he's here?"
"Well, yes," James said, looking at his brother, who was looking back at him.
"So see boys, that's a sign that he has not forgotten you, just because he's courting this beautiful lady from Las Vegas," Ariel encouraged. "I know he is sad that he hasn't been able to spend as much time with you, but he needs to be happy to boys. I mean eventually, you two will grow up and go to college and move out and do you want your father to live all by himself?"
"No," James and Marshall answered at the same time. They knew very well what happened to their species who lived alone, with neither children or mate and even Alphas were prone to suicide, though not as much as Omegas. While they would be back to visit as frequently as they could it wasn't the same as having a mate and they knew this, even if it was a hard concept to understand until you felt it for yourself or at least until you were older.
"Well then, just be patient a little longer boys and I'm sure that your father will bring home his new mate to live here," Ariel suggested
The boys perked up at that and Ariel decided that had cheered them a lot.
"Is this Diana, nice?" Marshall asked.
"Your father says she is and you know he's a good judge of character," Ariel said. "You already know she has three children of her own. I'm sure she'll love you, just as much as she loves her triplets. Just be patient boys, soon you'll meet her and I'm sure you'll fall in love with her."
The twins were somewhat reassured by the housekeeper's words, as they had known her since they were babies, in other words all their lives. She had never lied to them as far as they knew and was always completely truthful.
"Now, why don't you two go play and your father should be home in a few days," Ariel suggested with a smile. "Just because your father has possibly found a new mate doesn't mean he doesn't love you anymore boys. He'll always love you and always be there for you and deep down you know this. He's just been rather torn in two different directions right now, torn between his family and possibly a new mate for him. He loves you, but he's fallen in love with this Diana Reid."
Ariel certainly hoped that this Diana was as nice as her employer claimed, that she wouldn't ignore Dave's sons. That wasn't very likely as Dave would never put up with that Ariel knew. No, she was likely genuinely caring, compassionate and probably loved children just as Dave did. She couldn't see Dave making a mistake like he had with Carolyn a long time ago now.
Well, that was a worry for another day Ariel decided, as it would likely be awhile before Dave mated with Diana if that happened at all.
She sent the boys outside to play, and resolved to mention this to Dave as soon as he arrived home.
~~~Dave and Diana~~~
"Good morning, boys," Dave greeted his sons.
"Dad!" James and Marshall exclaimed excitedly, as they ran to him. They hugged his sides and he hugged them back. They're getting so tall Dave thought in amazement. When did they get so tall and what else have I missed? Apparently, his sons had had a growth spurt when he had been gone something Ariel hadn't mentioned
"When you'd get home?" James asked.
"Late. You were already in bed when I finally came in the door. I did check on you briefly, but you were out like lights," Dave said smiling. "I'll be home for a few weeks before I head back to Las Vegas, so why don't the three of us do something together."
"That's great, dad," Marshall said enthusiastically, smiling widely, as he had really missed his father and he knew James had as well.
Dave listened indulgently as his sons chattered at him. He had learned from Ariel, that his sons had feared that he didn't love them anymore. He had been gone a lot and he knew it, so he knew Diana would understand if he didn't come for a month or so, but then, she was a mature adult, his boys weren't.
"Alright, boys, breakfast is ready. You eat and then we'll decide what to do for the day," Dave said gently, as he shooed his twins to the table.
Ariel watched the little family from the kitchen doorway and smiled. She had known that Dave would take care of the situation and he had already made a very good start. First, Dave had offered to cook breakfast instead of her doing it. He was an excellent chef Ariel knew and he also enjoyed it, when he had the time to cook. She watched as the boys gobbled down their breakfasts, with much more enthusiasm than they usually did. Getting to spend the day with their father had cheered them right up, Ariel knew. Really, Dave and his sons were quite close and no matter how involved Dave was with this Diana, he would never risk his sons happiness.
Ariel slipped out of the kitchen now that she knew things were going well. She would fix herself some breakfast later, after Dave and his sons had left the house to whatever activity they had planned.
"Slow down boys, you don't want to choke," Dave cautioned his sons gently was all Ariel had time to hear before she was out of range.
"Yes, dad," both boys answered, slowing down, but continued to eat their breakfast enthusiastically, as now they knew that their dad still loved them. Their dad didn't cook often, as usually he left the cooking to Ariel. The fact, that he had taken the time to cook breakfast for them and offer to spend the day with them cheered them right up. This just proved that this Diana hadn't stolen their father away. Or at least that dad was only paying attention to the lady he was courting instead of to them.
"So what would you boys like to do for the day?" Dave asked after he has started on his own breakfast.
Both James and Marshall started giving him suggestions and he listened patiently.
"Water Country USA it is," Dave said, smiling. "I know it's a tad expensive, but this is a special treat to reward you for being good, since I've been gone so much. It must be understood though, that you'll still have to behave when I'm gone and not start misbehaving, so I have to deal with when I get home."
"Yes, dad," the twins answered starting to look excited.
"Alright then," Dave said, smiling. "They open at 10 o'clock, so we had better get going if we want to make it, just as they open for the day. Go have Ariel help you find your swimsuits."
The twins cheered and Dave watched them go smiling. He would have to find his own bathing suit, which he hadn't worn in a long time. He put his love for Diana to the back of his mind, so he could fully enjoy his day with his sons. His heart ached to be separated from the woman he had come to love, but showing his children some love and attention was vital and he knew it. Besides, he did love them dearly and he wanted to make sure they knew that.
~~~Dave and Diana~~~