Chapter 256 | How Did You Do It!?

Chapter 256: 256 | How Did You Do It!?

The parents stared at Dexter with matching embarrassed smiles.

"We’re really sorry," the mother said.

"Yes," the father quickly added. "They’ve been talking about you since they saw you earlier."

Dexter glanced down at the two boys. They were staring up at him with such excitement that he couldn’t bring himself to be annoyed.

He shrugged. "It’s fine. Really."

The parents visibly relaxed.

Dexter crouched slightly so he wasn’t towering over the children. "So, how old are you two?"

Both boys immediately raised their right hand and indicated four with their fingers.

"Four and a half!" they shouted together.

"Four and a half," Dexter repeated solemnly. "That’s a very serious age."

The twins nodded as though he had spoken an undeniable truth.

Dexter couldn’t resist reaching out and ruffling their hair. "You two are adorable. What are your names?"

The first boy proudly slapped a tiny hand against his chest. "I’m Peter!"

The second immediately copied him. "And I’m Paul!"

"Peter and Paul?"

Dexter nodded approvingly. "Nice names."

The twins grinned.

"All right, Peter and Paul. You were desperate to ask me something earlier." Dexter folded his arms. "What is it?"

The twins’ eyes lit up.

"How do we become like you?"

Dexter blinked. "Like me?"

Both nodded furiously.

Dexter glanced at their parents. Their father’s expression suddenly became suspiciously uncomfortable.

Dexter looked back at the children. "You’ll have to explain that one."

Peter and Paul exchanged a glance. Then both looked past Dexter.

Toward Mira, Lyra and Selene.

The moment the three women noticed, the twins immediately looked away, suddenly shy.

Dexter’s eyebrow rose.

Peter leaned closer. In what he apparently believed was a whisper, he said loudly enough for practically everyone nearby to hear, "My dad only married my mom."

Dexter’s lips twitched as a bad feeling settled in place.

The father closed his eyes.

Paul continued his brother’s explanation. "But you have..."

He raised one tiny finger. "One..."

Another finger. "Two..."

Then a third. "Three wives!"

A few people in the queue immediately began coughing suspiciously.

Mira turned her face away, but Dexter could already see the smile she was trying to hide.

Peter nodded seriously. "We asked Papa why he didn’t marry two more wives."

Dexter slowly looked toward their father. The man suddenly became extremely interested in the candy-store sign.

Paul continued. "And Papa said you’re very special."

Peter nodded. "And Papa said he doesn’t have a choice."

Smack!

The mother hit her husband on the arm.

The man jumped. "What?"

She glared at him. "You told them that?"

"I didn’t say it like that!"

"Yes, you did," Peter said.

"Yes, exactly like that," Paul confirmed.

The father’s face collapsed. "Traitors."

Dexter bit the inside of his cheek and stopped himself from lagging.

Behind him, Mira had already lost the battle as a soft chuckle escaped her. Selene followed. Then Lyra’s laughter sounded inside Dexter’s mind.

’His face...’

Dexter cleared his throat. "So that’s what you wanted to ask me?"

"No!"

Peter stepped closer. "We have another question."

Dexter suddenly didn’t want to hear it. Unfortunately, there was no stopping them.

Peter announced proudly, "There are three girls in my class that I like."

Paul nodded. "Me too!"

The twins looked at each other. Then Peter continued. "So we decided we’ll be like you."

Dexter’s smile disappeared.

Paul threw both arms outward. "We’ll marry all the girls in our class!"

The twins looked extremely pleased with their plan.

Their mother covered her face and their father looked ready to disappear into the candy display.

Mira’s shoulders were trembling. Selene wasn’t doing much better. Lyra had completely stopped trying to hide her amusement.

Dexter stared at Peter and Paul.

Before he could answer, Peter’s excitement disappeared. "But they said no."

Paul nodded sadly. "They don’t want to marry us."

The twins looked up at Dexter. Their expressions became deadly serious.

"So how did you do it?"

Dexter froze as he looked back at the three girls but they were each entertained.

"I’m glad my suffering amuses you."

"Very much," Mira replied.

Dexter sighed and returned his attention to the twins. This might genuinely be the strangest conversation he’d had all week. And considering his life, that was impressive.

He crouched until he was closer to their height.

"Listen, Peter. Paul."

The twins leaned forward attentively.

"That’s not how it works."

Their smiles vanished.

"You can’t just decide you’re going to marry every girl you like."

"Why?" Peter asked.

"Because those girls get to choose too."

That seemed to require considerable processing.

Dexter continued. "When you’re older, you’ll understand it better. Some people fall in love with one person. Some people’s lives turn out differently. But having more people isn’t what makes someone special."

The twins listened with surprising seriousness.

"What matters is finding someone who likes you for who you are, and who you genuinely care about too."

Paul frowned. "But you have three."

There it was.

Dexter glanced behind him. Mira was watching. So were Selene and Lyra. Their expressions had softened, the amusement giving way to something quieter.

His expression softened. "My situation is unusual."

"Very unusual?" Peter asked.

"Extremely."

The boys exchanged fascinated looks.

Dexter smiled. "Your dad found someone he loves."

He pointed toward their mother. "And judging from the way your mom keeps hitting him every time he says something stupid, I’d say he’s got his hands full already."

The father instantly burst out laughing.

His wife immediately glared at him.

He stopped.

Dexter almost lost his composure.

"So," Dexter continued, "don’t worry about marrying three girls. You’re four and a half. You’ve got more important things to do."

"Like what?" Paul asked.

Dexter thought about it. "Eat candy."

The twins’ eyes widened.

"Play games."

Their smiles returned.

"Have fun."

They nodded enthusiastically.

"And stop worrying about marriage until you’re much, much older."

Peter and Paul looked at one another. A silent conference seemed to occur.

Finally, Peter nodded. "Okay."

Paul nodded too. "Okay."

Dexter smiled. "Good."

Peter suddenly raised his hand. "But when I’m older..."

"Nop."

Dexter shook his head.

"But I didn’t ask yet!"

"I know where this is going."

Mira laughed again.

Fortunately for Dexter, the twins’ parents had finally reached the counter. Their order was ready. The mother quickly collected the ice cream while their father paid.

Then they returned for their children.

"All right, you two. That’s enough interrogation."

"No!"

Peter tried to escape. His father scooped him up.

Paul immediately attempted to run around his mother. She caught him just as easily.

Paul looked devastated.

Their mother gave Dexter another apologetic smile. "I’m really sorry about all that."

Dexter waved dismissively. "Don’t worry. They’re funny."

"That’s one word for it," their father muttered.

His wife glared at him. He immediately smiled.

The man looked toward Dexter. "Well, we’re neighbors. I’m sure we’ll see each other again."

Dexter nodded. "Probably."

The father opened his mouth. "Maybe sometime we could..."

His wife slapped his arm. "Come on."

"What did I do now?"

"Walk."

"I’m walking!"

She dragged him away while he carried Peter. Paul waved furiously from his mother’s arms.

"Bye, Dexter!"

Peter joined him. "Bye!"

Dexter raised his hand. "Bye, Peter. Bye, Paul."

The twins continued waving until their parents disappeared into the crowd.

Dexter stared after them. Then he shook his head and chuckled. "What a dilemma."

Mira’s voice came from behind him. "So..."

Dexter immediately became suspicious. He slowly turned around.

Mira wore an expression that promised trouble. Selene was smiling. Lyra looked positively delighted.

Mira rested her cheek against her recovered hand. "Tell us, Dexter."

Her crimson eyes glittered. "How exactly did you do it?"

Dexter’s face went blank and the three women burst into laughter.

Dexter sighed. Perhaps the haunted house would be safer.