His raised brow came right from Nick. Scotty imitated his dad without even knowing he was doing it. “Who will you need to speak to about NATO, and how can we stop that from happening?”
Before she could form a witty reply, Nick came into the kitchen. “Why is Mom talking about NATO?”
“That’s what I’d like to know.” Scotty flashed her a wicked grin. “It needs to be stopped at all costs before she causes an international incident.”
Nick bit his lip so he wouldn’t laugh out loud and get in trouble with her.
“It’s not funny,” she said to him.
He pinched his fingers together. “It’s a little funny.”
“Not even kinda.”
“I’ve got them fighting,” Scotty said to the twins, who giggled again. “My work here is finished.”
Aubrey dipped her French toast stick into syrup that Sam would have to scrub off her face. “Don’t fight.”
“We’re play-fighting, sweetheart,” Nick said.
“Oh, good.”
“I like a good fight,” Alden said. “Like when I beat Scotty at wrestling. That’s a great fight.”
“Wait until you’re a little bigger and I can fight back.” Scotty bopped Alden on the head. “You won’t think it’s a great fight when I beat you.”
“As if you could.”
The sassy retort was so unexpected that they all laughed, even Alden.
“What is it that Graham likes to say?” Nick asked, referring to his mentor and friend, retired Senator Graham O’Connor.
“‘Don’t let your mouth write a check that your body can’t cash,’” Scotty said.
“What does that even mean?” Alden asked.
“It means you shouldn’t say something you can’t back up with action,” Nick said. “In other words, if you’re going to threaten to beat Scotty, you should be darned sure you can actually do it.”
“Oh, I see. So talking smack can get you in trouble?”
“That’s right.”
“Not with me,” Scotty said, “because I’d never let you get hurt when we’re messing around, but someone else might not feel the same way.”
“All right,” Alden said. “I take it back. For now.”
“Probably a good idea,” Nick said, smiling.
“Go brush your teeth and wash off the syrup,” Sam said to the twins.
“It’s not easy raising kids today,” Scotty said as he rinsed his Capitals coffee mug.
“It sure isn’t,” Nick said with a chuckle. “Thank goodness we have you to help us.”
“You need me.”
“We absolutely do.” Sam kissed his cheek. “Get going.”
“I’m going.”
