Chapter 16

“After Fastian finishes, it’s Fosbein and Fahnareeh’s turn,” she reminded. Then, turning slightly toward Freen, she added, “Don’t take off all their clothes. I think you know what I mean.”

Freen gave a small nod, her voice steady but polite. “I know, Becky.”

“Good. And don’t let them bath too long. I don’t want them catching a cold,” Becky continued, her motherly tone slipping into command without effort. “Oh! close the door when you bathe them. They’ll run out if you don’t.”

Freen almost smiled at that. “Yeah. I’ve already noticed how quick they are.”

Becky chuckled softly, brushing a stray strand of hair from her cheek before turning back to her task. She carefully folded Fastian’s tiny new clothes on the bed, her fingers gentle and practiced, like she had done this a thousand times before. When she saw Fastian walking out of the bathroom, wrapped in a small towel with damp hair clinging to his forehead, she bent down and smiled warmly.

“My baby already smells so nice,” she said, hugging him tightly and kissing his cheek several times until Fastian’s giggle filled the air.

“Mommy!” he laughed, squirming in her arms.

She smiled wider, her heart melting at his laughter. After dressing him neatly and rewrapping the little bandage on his head and arm, she looked into his eyes. “If you need anything, tell Mommy, okay?”

Fastian nodded obediently, his big eyes full of trust. “Okay, Mommy.”

Becky brushed his hair one more time before letting him go to play quietly with his toy cars near the bed. She turned back toward the bathroom, where Freen was already with Fosbein, rolling up her sleeves and looking slightly uncertain about what kind of chaos she was about to step into.

Freen’s first few minutes went well. Bathing Fosbein was surprisingly easy, the boy was calm, quiet, and obedient, unlike his mischievous twin. He listened to every instruction, letting her wash his hair and pour water over his shoulders.

But Freen’s peace was short-lived. She could already sense it. Fahnareeh, who had been watching impatiently from the corner of the room – was bouncing on her heels, eyes glimmering with excitement.

“Fahnareeh,” Freen said softly, half-warning, half-pleading. “Don’t make a mess.”

Fahnareeh nodded with a sweet smile that was far too innocent to be true. “Okay, Aunt Freen.”

It was only a matter of time.

The moment Freen turned around to get the shampoo, Fahnareeh grabbed a small cup and splashed a handful of water toward Fosbein.

“Nareeh!” shouted Fosbein, blinking water from his eyes.

“Phi Rox! Here, the water bomb!” she declared gleefully, raising another cup like a warrior ready for battle.

Freen sighed deeply, placing the shampoo on the edge of the bathtub. “You two,don’t start this, please,” she warned, though she already knew they wouldn’t listen.

Fosbein, determined not to be outdone, snatched a small bucket and filled it with water. “Aunt Freen, we’re firefighters! We’ll safe you from the fire!”

“Firefighters?” Freen blinked. “There’s no fire!”

But before she could reach them, two tiny streams of water hit her.

Cold water splashed across her shirt, dampening her sleeves and her hair. She froze, eyes widening in disbelief as the triplets laughed hysterically.

“Nice job!” Fahnareeh shouted, clapping her wet hands. “We saved her!”

“Yeah! Mission complete!” Fosbein cheered back.

Freen stood there, dripping, her patience hanging by a thread. She wanted to scold them but their laughter was too contagious. A small, reluctant smile tugged at her lips even as she tried to sound strict.

“Okay, firefighters,” she said, raising an eyebrow. “You’re both in big trouble now.”

Their giggles only grew louder.

Meanwhile, outside the bathroom, Becky froze mid-fold when she heard their laughter the kind of mischievous giggle she knew too well. Her heart skipped a beat. She set down the small towel and sighed.

“They’re making Freen a monster,” she muttered to herself, shaking her head with a tired smile.

She stood up and walked toward the bathroom. The sound of splashing grew louder as she got closer. When she opened the door…

SPLASH!

A stream of water hit her face before she could even speak.

Becky gasped, rubbing her eyes. Fahnareeh stood frozen, still holding the hose with a guilty yet cheeky grin. Fosbein bit his lip to keep from laughing.

“Fahnareeh Beena,” Becky said, her tone suddenly sharp, firm, motherly. “Stop now.”

The little girl quickly dropped the hose, water dripping onto the tiles as she looked down in shame.

Becky exhaled slowly, shaking her head as she smiled faintly. “I’ll handle them. You can change your clothes, Freen.”

Freen blinked, soaked and speechless. “I didn’t bring any clothes.”

“You can use mine. They’re inside Fastian’s mini luggage,” Becky said, her tone softening again as she reached for a towel. “Go ahead.”

“Okay,” Freen murmured, brushing wet strands from her face and walking toward the small suitcase.

Now the bathroom belonged to Becky, Fosbein, and Fahnareeh. She quickly knelt down, her tone calm but firm as she washed them.

“You two are so naughty. You’re lucky you didn’t get scolded by Aunt Freen,” she said, her eyes narrowing slightly.

Fahnareeh pouted, hugging her knees. “We just wanted to play like usual.”

“You can play,” Becky said patiently, “but only when Mommy’s bathing you. Not everyone likes to get wet, princess.”

“Mommy, are you angry?” Fosbein asked quietly, his small fingers fiddling with the edge of the towel.

Becky smiled gently, brushing his damp hair. “Lucky that Mommy hasn’t showered yet.”

At that, Fahnareeh’s face lit up. “Then we can shower together! Yayyy!”

Becky laughed softly, unable to resist her daughter’s excitement. “Yes, we can. But no more firefighter games, okay?”

“Promise!” the twins said in unison.

Minutes later, soft laughter and splashing filled the air again but this time it was gentler, calmer. Becky washed their hair, humming softly as the children giggled under the warm stream. When they finally finished, she wrapped them in fluffy towels and stepped out of the bathroom, her own damp hair clinging to her shoulders.

Becky walked out drying her hair with a small towel, her steps light and tired, but her expression warm. Fahnareeh and Fosbein trotted happily ahead of her, giggling about their “firefighter mission.”

Across the room, Fastian was playing with his cars, but when he noticed Freen staring at Becky, he stopped. He stood up, walked toward Freen, and looked up at her with wide eyes.

“Why are you looking at my Mommy?” he asked, his voice curious but protective.

Freen blinked, slightly caught off guard. “Oh… nothing,” she said quickly, looking away.

Becky, who had been kneeling to help Fahnareeh button her small dress, looked up at them. Her eyes softened for a brief second before she returned her attention to the twins.

Just then, a knock on the door interrupted the moment. A doctor stepped in, clipboard in hand, ready to check on Fastian.

“Good evening,” he greeted politely, though his eyes immediately drifted toward Becky -and lingered a little too long.

Freen noticed. Her expression hardened almost instantly.

The doctor crouched to examine Fastian’s head injury, but his gaze flickered back toward Becky again, his lips curving slightly as he adjusted his glasses.

Freen’s patience snapped.

“Doctor,” she said coldly, stepping closer, “you’ll check on him later.” She gently pulled Fastian away, her voice sharp with protective irritation.

The doctor blinked, surprised. “I was only….”

“I said later,” Freen repeated, her tone leaving no room for argument.

The doctor hesitated, gave a polite nod, and stepped back slightly. Becky frowned at Freen’s sudden tone, standing up and walking over to them, her robe tied loosely around her.

“What are you doing?” Becky asked, her voice calm but questioning.

Freen turned her back slightly, her jaw tightening. “Put on your clothes first,” she whispered low enough that only Becky could hear. “It’s very inappropriate for you to stand there in that stupid bathrobe while a man’s staring at you like that.”

Becky froze, a little stunned by the sudden protectiveness in Freen’s tone  the hint of jealousy that lingered between the words. She didn’t know whether to be annoyed or… oddly touched.

“Okay,” she said softly after a pause, “but don’t stop the doctor from checking on Tian.”

“Fine,” Freen muttered, still facing away.

Becky turned back to her bag, pulled out her clothes and went to the bathroom.