Shaking his head, Boswell disagreed, “Not really. And not now. But in the morning, I'll be really happy. And do whatever you want me to-I won't complain.”

“I don't care whether you want to or not. I'm your dad, and I get to tell you what to do. How do you think this works?" Matthew patiently reasoned with him.

At the same time, he noticed Colman reached out his hand from underneath the quilt and secretly waved at Boswell.

Glancing at his brother and then at Matthew, Boswell wondered why his dad was so hard-headed. He then looked at Erica for help.

"Mom..."

Before he could say anything more, Erica patted the bed and said, "Your dad was just kidding. Come on in!"

Upon hearing her words, Boswell ran to the bed and snuggled up under the covers with his two younger brothers.

Looking at the three little boys in the bed, Matthew shook his head helplessly.

Erica looked at the man standing by the bed and said, “Go ahead!"

“What?" Matthew was confused.

“Bring Adkins here too. He's gonna be mad if he doesn't get in on this!" she ordered.

Matthew sighed inwardly. He turned around and walked out of the bedroom to bring his eldest son there.

Adkins was still thinking about the last thing he'd read on the story book. Hearing the knock on the door, he peered at it in the dim Light and said, "Dad!"

Matthew walked over and sat down by his bed.

"Let's go

Adkins sat up and looked into his eyes.

“Where are we going?" he asked.

“Your younger brothers are in our room now. You can sleep with us tonight too!"

Adkins thought for a while and shook his head.

"No. Don't want to."

"Why?" Matthew asked in confusion

"Sleep with Mom. Not with my brothers. And not with you."

Matthew was shocked upon hearing that.

"Why? Don't you Love me?" Adkins was only three. What if this got worse as he got older? What did he do that made Adkins feel this way? What if Matthew were dying? Would

Adkins ask the doctor to unplug him and get his mom to marry someone else? Would the boy really let him die?