You More Than Anything In The World

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“Pft!”

“Ha!” Arissa couldn't hold back her laughter. Meeting Benjamin's frustrated gaze, she quickly composed herself and comfortingly patted his hand.

“If the kids knew about this decision, they'd probably love you more than they love me. I won't spare them this time!”

Benjamin wasn't too surprised and inquired in a hushed tone, “So, how did you punish them?”

Arissa huffed several times before explaining, “I confiscated their phones and computers. They can't touch these or watch TV for a week.”

Benjamin was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled softly. She certainly knew how to discipline the kids.

“By the way, you didn't punish them, so why did they end up in timeout?” Arissa found it quite odd, and her look toward Benjamin was a mix of curiosity and suspicion.

“Probably their own guilt made them voluntarily stand in timeout.” Benjamin's lips curled up slightly. The kids had learned from past experiences.

Arissa laughed along, then cautioned him, “Well, let them stand there for a while. They promised us they won't do it again too soon. My heart can't handle it.”

Benjamin nodded, not seeing any issue with a little punishment. “Won't it break your heart?”

Arissa frowned. “Even though I feel sorry for them, I'm not unreasonable. If they need to be disciplined, then they should be. As long as your punishments are justified in the future, I won't stop you!”

Benjamin combed his fingers through her hair and continued, “During the break, I'm thinking of sending them to the base for some training.”

Arissa frowned. Sending the kids for a military-style education during the vacation had its merits, but she felt they might be a bit young for that.

“Can't we wait until they're a bit older? Maybe we can have Jack, Bradley, or one of the bodyguards teach them some self-defense first. Sending them after a few more years of school might be better.”

She worried about the kids adjusting to such an environment, especially Tim and Jesse.

Tim had no prior exposure to such training, and Jesse, being a girl, might struggle with the hardships.

“We can have them practice at home during normal times, and when I have time, I can personally teach them. But sending them for training during the holidays would be better. When they're a bit older, I'd like to enroll them all in the base to study their specialties.”

Arissa listened to Benjamin's plans. While she didn't want the kids to endure hardships, she knew that such training would be beneficial for them, especially in their role within the Graham family.

“By the time the baby is born, you won't have much time to manage all of them. Sending them to school would also give you some relief.”

Benjamin didn't want her to be too focused on the kids; it would be exhausting.

Arissa looked at him and confessed, “I like having the kids around me.”