CHAPTER XVII

They moved into the new house. It had a big yard and many bedrooms. Each kid could have their own room, but they chose to stay together; so, they made the other bedroom a playroom. The master bedroom was beautiful and had a wonderful varanda that fit a cozy private living room. They bought a new king size bed with an antique styled frame, and built a walk-in closet for two. Back in the apartment, Dev's clothes were just fitting in the empty spaces of Thierry's closet, as nothing in the apartment was built thinking of him. But now, everything in their home has the four of them in consideration. From their suite, to the dining room to the living spaces; it was made for their family. The process of moving in was tiring. Dev had to organize all the things from his old apartment - throw away, sell or donate many things he had forgotten he had. It was a time to say goodbye for all of them. It was a really hard time for the twins. Thierry was sitting with them boxing their toys and clothes, when Collin sat down and decided he wasn't moving anymore.

"What's the problem, baby?"

"I don't want to go".

"Why?"

"Santa Claus won't find us if we go. And we won't get presents".

"We can send him a letter telling him that we moved".

"But I won't see Gabi and Liam anymore". Gabriela and Liam were Collin's friends in the building.

"You can invite them to our new house. It's not far away, they can visit any time they want".

"And Kiki?" The neighbors' cat that Collin loved.

"Kiki probably won't be able to come visit, but we can ask Allison and Tom. Maybe they can take her".

"Still, this is our place. I don't want to move".

"Baby, we will have a bigger house, with a yard, a playground and a big room for each of you", Thi tried to convince him, but he wouldn't listen. So he decided to appeal to his feelings. "And, moving to a house, there might be a chance that we will get a dog. Wouldn't you like that?"

"Doggy? We will have a doggy?"

"We might get a dog. It's still not a deal, but I've been thinking about it".

"We are getting a dog?", Killian asked, getting into the conversation.

"We might. I still have to discuss it with your daddy better. But we might get one". The kids got excited, and there was no stopping it. Thi decided to just go with it. "Well, there won't be no doggy if we don't move, so we better put those toys in the box, otherwise there won't be no toys in the new home".

The kids started to work faster and soon they were done with the job. Thi was so proud of them. Looking at them being so responsible and grown up, he began to think seriously about adopting a dog. The kids were still young, and him and Dev would have to do all the work taking care of it. But people say it's good for kids to have contact with animals from an early age. And now that he decided he would work at least some days a week from home, to spend more time close to the kids, maybe he will be able to take care of the dog. His thought was interrupted when Dev came to tell he was done with the kitchen, and he was going to the bedroom next. He called Kristin to take care of the twins while they packed the bedroom. Some time later, the moving truck arrived. Luckily, the bedroom was the last place and they've already packed the clothes, so they finished everything in time.

When they got to the house, they realized they had much more space than they thought initially. They would have to buy lots of furniture to occupy the empty spaces. And lots of things for the new rooms. His new home office, the kids playroom. And maybe a dog kennel? That night, with everything ready, they laid in their new bed, the kids sleeping in their room as shown by the baby camera, and they rested. Dev had a silly smile on his face.

"What are you smiling so much about?"

"I'm just so happy. I never imagined I would be this happy".

Thi laid on his chest, looking at him.

"I didn't think moving in with me would make you this happy".

"Yeah... Being with you and the kids is like a dream come true to me. Having my own family, being with them and having this big house to boost. I really feel like somehow I'm winning in life". He laughed and Thi could feel his chest going up and down.

"I was thinking... I told the kids that maybe we would get a dog. What do you think?"

"Do you want a dog?"

"Yeah", he pouted. "I always wanted a dog when I was little, and now we can have one".

"You still talk like a little kid", he laughed.

"Well, this little kid already has a house, a company, two kids and a soon-to-be husband".

"I'll get excited if you keep calling me husband".

"Husband, hubby, darling, my love", he teased, smiling. "Would you give this husband of yours a dog?"

"Can I even say no to you?"

"You'll make me really sad if you say no". He pouted again. He only acted like this when he was alone with Dev. Even when he was with his parents, he didn't let his childish side show.

"I won't. I think we can take them to the pet fair tomorrow. What do you think?"

"Yeah!"

The next day, they went to the same pet fair they went before. Collin and Killian ran to the dog they saw the other time. He was a mongrel dog, but looked a lot like a beagle. He was five years old, not exactly an old dog, but already an older one.

"Such a cutie!", Thi exclaimed, caressing the dog's head. "What is his name?"

"The person who rescued him calls him Jesse". The volunteer answered.

"Hi Jesse". He called the dog and the dog smiled hearing his name.

"Are you thinking about adopting?", the girl asked.

"Yes. We wanted a calm dog that is good with the kids, and not too young nor too old. We want him to be able to play, but that won't hurt the kids. The kids are really young, and they don't listen all the time, so we want a dog that is independent and that won't get easily bullied".

"Well, Jesse is a great option. He is a little old, but he still has some years ahead of him. He is great with kids, and has a good temper, don't you, boy?" She called the dog and he wagged his tail.

"What do you think?", Thi called Dev who was staying a little far away looking at the cats.

"He looks like a really good boy". He smiled.

"Yeah, he does indeed". Thi smiled back.

They decided to adopt Jesse, and took him home the same day. They bought everything, a house - just until they built the kennel -, lots of food and toys, lots of snacks, and so much more.

"This dog will surely be spoiled", the volunteer said as she filled out the paperwork.

When they arrived at home, and the dog was let out, he ran through the whole yard exploring. The kids ran after him, and fell on the ground and rolled on the grass. Thi and Dev sat down on a bench outside, cuddling.

"I think it was a good idea adopting a dog. The kids look so happy".

"They do indeed", Dev smiled. "And you also look happy".

"I am", he said gleefully.

"Then I am too". Dev said and kissed Thi's head.

The night ended well. The kids asked to sleep with the dog, but Thi imposed limits, to establish a good line in the future. Still, when they woke up, the kids were sleeping with the dog. They could only laugh and didn't even punish the kids for it.

***

The next morning, the IT team built the home office for Thierry. One of the reasons he decided to build such a big house was the possibility of having his own home office and staying a little more time at home. He would still go to the headquarters most of the days, but he would stay some days with the kids when possible. He missed his little babies and watching them grow.

In the beginning, he thought this would give him more free time with the kids, but it ended up having the opposite effect. He was being buried in work, in paperwork and meetings, in calls and messages. Even being home, he had barely any time to be at home. And he didn't know how to put a limit to what people asked, what they asked or when they asked. He was getting stressed with all of it, with constant headaches and would forget even the basic things - like eating, sleeping, drinking water, and taking his medicine. Two days in a row he forgot to take his heat medicine, and he just thanked it wasn't three. If he stayed three days without taking his medicine, his heat would come ten times worse than natural.

Still, he tried to hide all that from Dev. Dev and the kids were loving the house, and enjoyed having him for dinner every night. How could he tell them that this situation was bad for him? No, it was better to take it in. In a few days, he will get used to it or things will just arrange themselves and everything will get better. He just needs to wait a little.

One night, it was already a little over mid-night, Killian came looking for him in his office. He already told the kids that the place was off limits. Still, Killian knocked and got in bringing his pillow and a blanket. He put the pillow on the ground and laid on top of it, covering himself with the blanket. Thi kneeled next to his son and caressed his head.

"What are you doing here, baby?"

"I'm making mommy company. Mommy can't be alone".

"I'm just finishing working, baby".

"I'll stay here mommy", he said, falling asleep on the ground. Thi looked at his son laying on top of the pillow and decided to stop working earlier that day. There was nothing extremely important that couldn't be finished tomorrow morning. He kneeled down next to Killian and got him up in his arms. He kissed him in his forehead and snuggled him, feeling the warmth of the kid's body. That little being that grew inside of him, and now was already making his own decisions and finding ways to take care of his mommy.

"Let's go to bed, kiddo". He took him back to his bedroom. On the way, he met Dev who was frantically looking for Killian who disappeared from his bedroom. He looked at Thi's arms and sighed.

"So there is where he was". Dev said, whispering.

"He decided to pay me a visit in the office. He was worried that mommy was working too late", Thi said walking in the direction of the bedroom. Dev opened the door for him and he put the kid on his bed.

"He kept asking if mommy wasn't going to read him a story before bed. He is really worried for you. We all are". He said closing the door and going back to their room.

"I'm okay".

"No, you're not. You decided to work from home so you'll have more time with the kids, but now they barely see you. I barely see you. I want my boyfriend to be healthy, with me and our family".

"Things will get better in a few weeks. We are still adjusting. You don't need to worry".

"But I do. Because I love you, I worry. I worry that you're not eating well, that you have no time for yourself, that you are overstressed and overworked... I worry about so many things. I wished I could just take care of you and that we would have some free time to travel with our family and be together".

"I love you too. And if it's too much, I'll tell you. But sometimes I have to do what I gotta do. And right now I have to tolerate it a little, it's the cost of my decision".

"Thi..."

"I'm fine", Thi said, caressing Dev's face. "I'll call for help if I need it".

"Ok". Dev said, kissing Thi's hand.

Thi hoped that his words were true, but deep down he knew he wasn't ready to ask for help, even from Dev. So the weeks that followed, he worked everyday until late. Dev or the housekeeper would bring him food. Killian and Collin came to call him to sleep many times, and many times he didn't listen and just sent them back to their rooms. Dev was worried about him, and questioned him if he needed help many times, but he would always say no. And he still had to prepare for Dev's birthday at the end of the month. It was their first birthday together since they became official. It had to be great. Dev would rather have dinner with some friends and family, but he could do it so it would be a better version. Maybe hire a buffet, so Dev wouldn't have to cook for everyone, and get some decorations. Get him something great for his birthday, perhaps something sexy too. Dev told him before how much he would love to see him in some sexy lingerie. Maybe it was time for this dream to come true.

As he lost himself in thought, the computer started to beep - there was a new meeting. Today he was working from the office, he had a meeting on the third floor, then another on the eighth floor. And when he got home he still had more work to do. Maybe he was really working too much, maybe he had to impose limits on his own employees, or delegate some work. Maybe... but maybe it was also his obligation as a CEO. He was trapped in his head, trying to figure out the best route, just wishing he could be with his family a little longer. But there was so much work to do. And there was only one him.

"Knock, knock", Dev said, knocking on the open door of his office. He had already gone through the two meetings in the morning and revised some documents. It was already 13h (1 p.m.), and he hasn't had anything the whole day.

"Hello, hubby", Thi called him.

"I brought you something to eat. You didn't eat anything this morning, and if left to it, you would spend the day without eating".

"You know me so well. What did you get?"

"Chicken Caesar". He said. "And some rice".

"Did my hubby cook for me?"

"Sorry, I just got it today. I still have much to do, and my schedule is packed. Still, I wanted to come and see my love at least once".

"Thank you. Wanna sit for a while?"

"Yeah. I think I got half an hour".

"What are you working at, now?"

"A joint project with a producer in Yuezi, reviewing some scripts and that megalodon of a project you dropped on me".

"The animation series?"

"Yes. Are we doing live actions also?"

"Probably later. It would be good to build with the animations as a base".

"Hmmm". He said. "Should we stop talking about work? You are already working so much".

"It's my job".

"But you're always exhausted. And we miss you".

"I miss you too".

"So can't you take a break? It's your company. You should be able to decide your own workload".

"Probably. But that also means I have more responsibility than the others".

"But what about your life? Your freedom? Your family? Aren't we something worth fighting for?"

"Yes, of course. You're everything for me. Everything I have and everything I built, is for you. Without you, everything else is worthless. And I am alone".

"So find a way to be with us. I know your job is important, and your company is important. But you have to find a way, not only for us, but for yourself. You are stressed, sleep deprived, dehydrated, malnourished, and I can't remember the last time you spent some time on yourself. So, please, do something for yourself".

"I will. Give me until the end of the month. I promise you until then I will have fixed everything at work".

"I will trust you. But please, do it".

"I will be worthy of your trust. I swear my love".