Karen wakes up and sees her three little faces, Katie is wearing her glasses. This is where she notices she's not squinting to look at her anymore. WPNZ gently calls them back so she could have some breathing room. He takes off the glasses and puts them back on Karen's face. His attempts to be sweet make her sick, her body is reacting before her mind can and she swats his hand away.
The kids are confused by this interaction, she was supposed to be happy. Cory pulls against his shirt and whispers to him while looking at her. WPNZ smiles and nods, Cory suggests they have dinner so everyone could get properly acquainted and caught up.
" Luck you, it's pizza night. " The kids show their excitement and giggle while running to the kitchen. Eating is the last thing she wants to do right now.
" How did you do this. "
" Ah you know, a little cash and some science go a long way. "
" Why now. "
" Well you got too good at keepin' your paws clean. "
She watches the triplets set up the table, they look like they've been doing this for years. Now to WPNZ, who stood still as they worked. The look in his eyes wasn't soft, it looked almost like he was waiting for them to make a mistake. Cory accidently drops a fork on the ground. He panics and picks it up, mumbling an apology as quickly as he could. Speaking looked so uncomfortable for him. WPNZ's eyes darted to him but nothing happened. He just smiled and walked over, giving him a comforting pat on the head.
" No worries kid, it's all good. " Based on how Katie immediately looked away and Zack held his breath- this is not how he usually reacts to such a small slip up. Karen's seat is right beside WPNZ, who is at the head of the table. Katie sits right next to Karen and the boys on the opposite side. WPNZ brags about how he learned to cook for them, everything made from scratch.
Karen eats it and it's not bad! She'll give him that. The kids seem to enjoy it, but they're all so quiet. Might as well give talking a shot.
" So- uh- are you kids in school? " She tries to sound as friendly as possible. All three look at WPNZ, silently asking to speak. He nods.
" Dad keeps us here, he teaches us everything. " Katie, listing off all the subjects and getting more excited as she goes.
" Oh and-! and sometimes , when we're good we can go get ice cream! "
Zack speaks up now, Katie's excitemet very contagious " Or we get to play on the computer! "
" What's your favorite game? "
" Minecraft! " The both say in unison. Karen notices Cory hasn't said anything, or looked at her.
" Cory? " He looks at her , trying his best to focus. One of his eyes is drifting.
" What is your favorite thing to do? " Karen notices the struggle to respond, he brings up his hands but WPNZ stops him.
" Let's try and use our words bud, like I taught you. "
" No. No it's fine, Cory, you tell me how you want to. " WPNZ's smile grows tight, but he allows it.
Cory signs to her, using his entire little body to convey he likes to run outside and play at the park. Karen nods and the tension in the room slowly falls. Her stomach turns as the night goes on. But she goes on with the personal questions, learning more and more about her children.
Towards the end of the dinner, Zack asks the question all three of them want to know.
" Where have you been? " WPNZ leans on his hand and looks at her, he was going to enjoy this. Karen is now put on the spot and with no real answer, their brains start to connect the dots. She wasn't busy, she just...was never even there in the first place. But there is no way to explain the history between her and their father in a way that makes sense.
" I was- uhm- " Their faces were growing more and more dejected the longer she tried to come up with a story.
" So disappointing.. " WPNZ clicks his tongue and shakes his head.
" It's time I told you kids the truth. " No. No that's not fair.
