The next day, Arissa awoke to Benjamin's movements.
When he noticed she was awake, he pecked her on the forehead and said, “It's still early. Why don't you sleep a little longer?”
“What time is it?” Arissa peered at the clock. “It's already six thirty!”
After lying in bed for a few more minutes, she still sat up and murmured, “We have to get ready now...”
We still need to wash up and get dressed. It'll be around nine o'clock by the time we leave.
At the sight of Arissa waking the children up, Benjamin had no choice but to get up as well.
“Sweethearts, it's time to wake up.”
The little ones rubbed their eyes and yawned. “Mmh... Mommy...” they mumbled. Clearly, they did not want to wake up yet.
Arissa could not help but smile dotingly when she saw how cute the children were.
Gently, she gave their noses a pinch, starting with Gavin. “It's time to get up, lazy piggies. We're going to Grandpa's house today.”
Upon hearing that, the children opened their eyes but quickly shut them.
Pouting, one of them protested, “We're not lazy piggies!”
Amused by their response, Arissa chuckled. “Hurry. It's time to get up!” she then urged.
As she got out of bed, Gavin, Tim, and Zachary followed suit.
Meanwhile, Oliver, Jasper, and Jesse continued lying in bed.
After glancing around the room, the children asked, “Mommy, did Daddy not sleep last night?”
Arissa swept her gaze across them and said, “He's already brushing his teeth.”
The children instantly became more energized. Following Gavin, they hopped off the bed and ran toward the bathroom.
Sure enough, Benjamin was brushing his teeth in there.
“Daddy!”
“Mr. Graham!”
Benjamin raised his brow in surprise, for he had never seen the children behave so warmly toward him before.
“Good morning, kids!” he greeted them with a grin.
“Good morning, Daddy!” Gavin chirped.
“Good morning, Mr. Graham!” Tim, Zachary, Oliver, Jasper, and Jesse, too, greeted Benjamin happily.
The children had finished washing up. At that moment, they were standing next to the bed, holding their formal attires before their bodies to see how they would look in them.
The sight of that put a smile on Arissa's face. “We'll get changed after breakfast, Sweethearts. Come on. Let's go downstairs for breakfast.”
“Okay!” the children chirped and skipped out of the room.
As they headed toward the staircase, they chatted happily with their mother.
The whole time, Benjamin walked behind them. The sight of the children behaving so energetically and the sounds of their chatter made him smile.
Even Tim seemed to have gotten closer to the others. The boy was not as reserved as when he first reunited with them.
Upon arriving at the landing, Tim turned around to check on Benjamin, urging, “Hurry up, Mr. Graham!”
“All right!” Benjamin sounded happy and affectionate.
He strode forward and carried Tim and Jesse in his arms.
In response, Tim beamed at Benjamin while Jesse smiled shyly.
Glancing at the two kids, Benjamin smiled before exhorting the others, “Be careful, you kids!”
When Gavin and Zachary heard him, they looked over their shoulders to glance at him.
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