#theduplexpart16

February gave way to March. There now wasn't a single part of either side of the duplex that hadn't been made love in by Anna and Kristoff. She preferred his sleigh bed over her four poster bed though and they both loved his leather couch and her kitchen table for the impromptu romp. For Valentine's Day, Anna had cooked a cedar plank grilled salmon dinner for Kristoff. He'd made her triple chocolate truffles. Neither of them had fun on Valentine's Day before but now, with each other, they had a blast...and marathon sex.

March proved to be a busy month for the Svensens. Mama Bulda and Daddy Cliff's wedding anniversary was March 12th. Olaf and Caridad's wedding anniversary was March 14th. Desiderio's 9th birthday was March 16th. Mama Bulda and Daddy Cliff took two weeks off, taking their Harleys and riding to Gulf Shores, Alabama. Olaf had planned a romantic getaway for him and Caridad to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. They'd take the minivan though (Caridad was terrified of motorcyles. She didn't mind Olaf riding one but she worried when he did but refused to ride on one herself). One issue was not solved yet: who'd watch the boys? Usually, if Olaf and Caridad went somewhere, Mama Bulda would watch them. Olaf thought about having Caridad's parents, Enrique and Concha, come in from Miami to watch them but they were in New York City on vacation and there was Caridad's brother Jorge, who lived in Tampa, but he was in Puerto Rico on vacation with his boyfriend Mateo. There only left one person he could ask: Kristoff.

Olaf and Kristoff were running North Mountain Motorworks for Bulda and Cliff for the two weeks. They had other mechanics working on cars while they did managerial stuff. Kristoff was using the computer, ordering some parts from an online auto parts site. Olaf looked nervous. Kristoff looked at his adopted older brother. "You got something on your mind, bro," Kristoff asked. "Well, yeah but I don't know how to ask," Olaf said, tapping his pencil on the counter. "Well, what's up?" "Well, Caridad and I are having our 10th wedding anniversary this coming week. I'd planned a romantic getaway to Myrtle Beach. The only issue I have is the boys have school and well...." Kristoff smiled. "You need someone to watch the boys?" "Yeah...uh...if it's...uh...." "It's no problem. I'll watch them." Olaf looked relieved. He went to Kristoff and hugged him. "Thanks so much! I owe you!" "It's no problem. They're my nephews and I haven't watched them since Fulgencio was born." "Cari will drop them off at your duplex when we leave tomorrow." "Okay." They resumed work.

Kristoff got to Anna's side of the duplex (it was his night to spend the night with her). He was greeted by the enticing smells of beer battered cod and french fries cooking. Anna lit up when she saw Kristoff come in. She went to him. "Hi, baby," she said, standing on tiptoe and pulling him down for a kiss. "How was your day?" "Hey, baby," he said, holding her, lifting her and kissing her. "Good. How about yours?" He set her down and she resumed cooking. "Not bad. The back wasn't too busy today. I'd gotten credit for helping to open three new accounts." "Cool. We've been busy with Mom and Dad out of town." Kristoff looked at Anna as he stood at the sink, washing his hands. "Uh, Olaf and Caridad are going to South Carolina for their anniversary and I've agreed to babysit my nephews for a week." She looked at him. "Would you like some help? Three boys can be a handful." He looked at her. "Uh, yes! I'd love help." She smiled. "I'll help you." He hugged her. "I love you. You're the best." "I love you, too. When can we expect our guests?" "Tomorrow night." They soon sat down and ate, planning on what to do with the boys. By the time they'd gone to bed, their plans were made.

The next day was Friday. Kristoff had left work early with Olaf. Anna had to work. Kristoff had gone to his side of the duplex and got everything ready for the boys. Caridad arrived a half an hour later with the boys. The boys ran up to Kristoff. "Uncle Kris," they said. "It's good to see you!" "Hey, guys," Kristoff said, gathering his nephews into a big bear hug. "We're gonna have a great time." He let go and they ran, gave their mother hugs and a kiss, then ran inside to play with Sven after setting their suitcases and backpacks down. Caridad handed Kristoff a sheet of paper. "Here's the numbers to the pediatrician, the boys's schools and where we'll be staying," Caridad said, her Miami Cuban accent thick. "Anything important about the boys that I should know," Kristoff asked. "Haakon wets the bed. I'd packed enough Goodnites for him to last. Make sure he doesn't drink anything after dinner. Fulgencio has night terrors sometimes. As long as he has someone in the room with him, he's fine. I have a birthday card for Desiderio and a Wal-Mart gift card is enclosed for him. Don't give it to him until his birthday. I had put both you and Anna as emergency contacts and as authorized to pick the boys up from school." "Don't worry. They're in good hands." They embraced. Anna pulled into the driveway as Caridad left.

"The boys here," Anna asked as she stood on tiptoe to kiss Kristoff. "Yeah," Kristoff said as he bent to kiss Anna. "Cari gave me a list of important stuff." Anna looked at the list. "Okay then. Let's give the boys a week they'll never forget." "Okay." They went inside and began their weeklong babysitting adventure. That night, Anna and Kristoff were getting ready for bed when there was a soft knock on the bedroom door. "Who is it," Kristoff asked. "Fulgencio. May I come in," Fulgencio asked. "Okay." Kristoff went to his bedroom door and opened it. Fulgencio stood there, dressed in his Scooby Doo pajamas, clutching his stuffed puppy. His black hair was touseled. Anna came up behind Kristoff. "What is it, sweetie," Anna asked. "Titi Anna, Uncle Kris, can I sleep with you please," Fulgencio asked, his big brown eyes pleading. "Desi and Haakon won't let me sleep on the couch with them (Kristoff's spare room was a home gym, so the boys slept on the couch and recliner in the living room)." "Of course you can," Anna said. He brushed past them and climbed into the bed, sleeping in between them. Anna and Kristoff glanced at the four year old boy sleeping in their bed. They smiled, falling asleep with Fulgencio holding their arms.

The week proved to be both fun and tiresome for Kristoff and Anna. The boys went to school during the week, so both Anna and Kristoff took turns taking them and picking them up. Kristoff was patient as he helped Desiderio and Haakon with their homework. Since Fulgencio was in preschool, he didn't get much homework except to read a story, which he insisted that Anna read to him. Any squabbles were quickly resolved. On Sunday and Wednesday, they ate at Homer's; the boys being on their best behavior. On Desiderio's birthday, they took him to Olive Garden (his favorite) and presented him with the card from his parents and a gift from both Anna and Kristoff: a Harry Potter themed Lego set. Kristoff had baked a birthday cake for Desiderio with Superman colors and Anna bought mint chocolate ice cream (his favorite). They'd play catch and touch football in the backyard. On Saturday, they took the boys to Uncle Kai and Aunt Gerda's house to go swimming in their Olympic sized pool. In the course of all of this, Fulgencio lovingly called Anna "Titi." Neither Anna nor Kristoff knew what "Titi" meant, so they decided to ask Caridad when she picked up the boys on Sunday.

Sunday came. The boys were sad to go. Caridad came to pick them up. Kristoff hugged his nephews. "Thanks for a fun week, Uncle Kris," Haakon said. "Anytime, buddy," Kristoff said. The boys hugged Anna. "I'll miss seeing you everyday, Titi Anna" Fulgencio said. "We'll see each other on Sundays at Homer's, sweetie," Anna said. The boys got into the minivan. Caridad put their bags in the back. "Cari," Anna asked. "May I ask you something?" "Sure, Anna," Caridad said. "Fulgencio kept calling me Titi. I don't know why." Caridad smiled. "Tia is aunt in Spanish. Titi is just the Cuban way to say it. Fulgencio is desperate to have an aunt. My brother Jorge is gay so he'll never marry a woman. They like you, Anna. Olaf and I think that you're perfect for Kristoff." Anna smiled. "I'd love to be their aunt." Both women embraced. Caridad soon left. Kristoff looked at Anna.

"Titi apparently means aunt," Anna said. "You're a great aunt," Kristoff said. "You'd make a great mom, too." "You're a great uncle. You'll make a great dad, too." Smiling, they walked back inside, holding each other, wondering what their future held. Did Fulgencio know something they didn't? Only time would tell....