Chapter 6 Kiss! Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!

Not long after, they finished their meal. Daniela hurried them into their room. She didn't want to see Killian, not after what happened minutes ago. 

Right now, she just wanted to disappear back into her room and scream into her pillow.

The four of them sat beside each other in their study room. Daniela silently pulled out their homeworks from their schoolbags.

Matteo smiled and wrote on his tab. He held it up, clear enough for Daniela to see.

MUMMY, EVER SINCE YOU CAME DOWN FROM DADDY'S ROOM, YOUR FACE HAS BEEN FLUSHED RED— Matteo.

Daniela nearly dropped the books in her hand. She coughed awkwardly. “It's nothing. My nose got irritated while in the elevator…so I sneezed a lot.” 

Matteo nodded and decided not to push any further. He knew that wasn't the reason, but he didn't want to make her feel more embarrassed than she already was. 

Daniela opened their books and placed it in front of them. They began filling in the answers. She was surprised, none of them asked for her help. The only thing they asked was for their pencils to be sharpened. 

It didn't take 30 minutes for them to finish all their assignments. After they were done, Daniela led them back to their room. 

“So what do you do after assignments?” She asked. 

Leo ran to the bedside table and pulled out a beautifully designed activity board. He handed it to her. The activity board contained all their schedules. 

Daniela had to admit, these kids were more organized than her. She hardly sticks to set schedules and most times, just push it to the next day. 

Daniela quickly read through the activity board. “So after assignment, you drink a glass of milk, 30 minutes learning a skill, then some free time, 40 minutes reading ahead your curriculum, listen to bedtime stories before daddy puts you to bed.” 

They nodded in unison. 

Daniela put down the activity board. “Ok. I'll go get your glass of milk. Wait here.” 

She hurried out and took the elevator down. When she got to the first floor, she went into the kitchen. 

She paused midway when she spotted Killian sitting by the counter. He wore a black body fitted polo shirt and grey sweatpants. His shirt did no good in outlining his muscles. 

Her heartbeat suddenly doubled. But then, she saw Mrs. Callahan was also inside the kitchen. She breathed a sigh of relief.

Daniela kept her face up then walked into the kitchen. 

Mrs. Callahan smiled when she saw her enter. “How's it going so far?” She asked. 

A smile formed on Daniela's lips. “They are beautiful angels.” 

“They sure are.” Mrs. Callahan chuckled, knowing that when Daniela leaves, they'll turn to naughty devils.

“I came to get their milk.” Daniela added, looking everywhere but the counter. 

“It's over there, in the microwave.”

Mrs. Callahan handed her a tray. Daniela opened the microwave and brought out the glasses of milk. She arranged them on the tray then carried it out as quick as she could. 

When she reached their room, they sat organized in their chairs. Daniela handed each of them a glass. They gulped it down without any complain. 

From 5 to 6:50pm, they spent time covering the remaining activities on the board. 

After reading them a bedtime story, Daniela checked her watch and exhaled. First day survived.

She gathered her bag and turned to the boys, who were neatly tucked in bed with their bright eyes staring at her. 

“Alright, you four,” she said gently. “It’s time for me to head home.”

Four identical little faces turned up at once, Matteo frowning, Alessio’s eyes already welling, Rocco scowling, Leo blinking silently like he was plotting something.

YOU'RE LEAVING?— Matteo.

“Yes, sweetheart,” Daniela smiled. “But I’ll be back tomorrow morning.”

That was all the cue they needed.

In perfect coordination—like soldiers storming a castle—they scrambled up and latched onto her legs.

NOOOO!— Alessio.

YOU CAN'T LEAVE!— Matteo.

STAY HERE!— Rocco.

Leo said nothing, but his eyes glistened as he buried his face in her skirt.

Daniela froze, caught in a knot of tiny limbs. “Boys…boys! I promise I’ll be back. Let me go—” she laughed nervously, trying not to stumble.

The door creaked. Heavy footsteps approached.

“What the hell is going on now?”

Their father’s voice. Deep. Irritated.

He stood in the doorway, shirt hugging his firm chest, 6 packs in full display, hair still damp from his shower. His eyes darkened when he saw Daniela trapped under four small bodies.

“They won’t let me leave,” Daniela explained quickly, cheeks warm.

“They never do this,” he muttered under his breath. He stepped forward, prying Rocco off her leg first, who immediately thrashed like a wildcat.

“Enough!” Killian snapped.

But as soon as he peeled one child off, another clung tighter. Matteo wrapped himself around her waist. Alessio climbed her hip. Leo stayed glued, silent but stubborn.

Daniela laughed breathlessly, flushed with embarrassment. “I swear I didn’t ask them to—”

“Apparently you’ve bewitched my sons in less than a day.” His tone was dry, but his eyes lingered on her longer than necessary.

Finally, with a mix of authority and brute strength, he untangled the quadruplets and set them aside. All four glared at him like he was the villain of the story.

“Go to bed,” he ordered.

NO— Matteo shot back, puffing his chest. NOT UNLESS MUMMY KISSES US GOODNIGHT.

Daniela’s face flamed. “Matteo…”

Four tabs rose in chorus: 

KISS!— Matteo.

KISS!— Alessio.

KISS!— Rocco. 

KISS!— Leo.

Killian pinched the bridge of his nose. “God help me.”

Daniela knelt, quickly kissing each small forehead. The boys beamed, triumphant.

When she stood, her eyes met his. For one heartbeat too long, neither looked away.

“See you tomorrow, angels.” she whispered then turned to Killian. “Goodnight sir.” 

He only grunted, but his gaze followed her all the way to the door.

Behind him, four identical smirks lit up in the shadows.

Mission successful.

After she left, Killian turned to the four boys who had their hands crossed above their chest.

“Go to bed.” He ordered.

They ignored him.

His jaw twitched. “So you act like angels only when she's around?”