You More Than Anything In The World

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Benjamin hurried back to the hospital, only to find Arissa yawning incessantly, on the verge of falling asleep.

“You're finally back!” Arissa sat up, looking at Benjamin with sleepy eyes.

Benjamin was both amused and exasperated. As he placed the table over the bed for her to enjoy her late-night snack, he teased, “If you're tired, why don't you go to sleep? I can wake you up when I get back.”

Arissa rubbed her face and smiled. “I want to eat before I go to sleep.”

Seeing the late-night snack he brought back, she took a few deep breaths, picked up her fork, and started eating. “You bought so much?”

She liked to eat everything.

Seeing her enjoyment, Benjamin's lips curled up slightly. He sat at the end of the bed, watching her eat. “Do you know who I ran into?”

“Who is it?” Arissa asked, sipping her noodles curiously as she glanced at him.

Benjamin chuckled lightly before saying, “Those little rascals are with Ethen, Shaun, and Kingsley.”

Arissa paused, puzzled. “Aren't the children at home?”

“They haven't gone home yet. They ate out instead. I told them to go back!” Benjamin stared at her steadily, realizing that the kids had fooled her.

Arissa recalled the conversation she had with her son over the phone. It seemed that the little guy didn't mention they were at home. It was she who assumed they were.

“Going out for late-night snacks isn't a bad idea. They won't run wild.” Arissa didn't object to this.

Benjamin looked at her. “Aren't you angry?”

Arissa looked at him, utterly puzzled. “Why on earth would I be angry?”

“They've tricked you!” Benjamin reminded her. The children didn't tell her they were outside.

Arissa laughed. “They didn't fool me. I just assumed they were at home.”

Seeing her protect the children, Benjamin sighed softly and said, “I'll make a call to see if they've made it home yet.”

Arissa quickly took his phone away, giving him a glance. “Stop worrying about them. Eat your food. There's still time to call back after we're done eating!”

With Ethen and the others looking after the children, she truly had no worries.

“I'm not worried about them,” Benjamin retorted, huffing lightly.

Arissa glanced at his serious expression. Her lips twitched slightly, and she pointed at the roasted chicken. “Half of it is yours.”

“I bought it for you.” Benjamin's brows furrowed. He wasn't particularly fond of eating the food.

Arissa looked at him, her face full of pitiful expression. “You bought so much. I can't possibly finish it all.”

“Eat as much as you can!” Benjamin opened all the takeout boxes, encouraging her to eat.

“Eating with you makes everything taste better!” Arissa's voice was soft as she coaxed the man, twisting off a chicken thigh and bringing it to his lips. “Dig in!”

Benjamin was at a loss, so he had no choice but to take it.

With a mischievous grin, Arissa continued to enjoy her barbecued shrimp pasta while also starting to nibble on a chicken thigh. “Did you buy this from Supper Town?”

“Yes.”

“Did you run into them over there? Have they all finished eating?”

“Yes.”