"I have great news for you Zac," Julie said merrily.
"You do?" Zac asked with an amused look on his face.
"Yes. I'm moving out."
Zac paused.
"You are?"
"Yep. I'm going to get out of your hair and take my kids with me. And the two nannies I hired," Julie added with a silly grin.
"You weren't in my hair," Zac commented.
Julie shrugged.
"Yeah, but y'know, I would have been. Besides, you're dating Kate now. You really shouldn't have me and my brood living in your house."
"Kate doesn't mind."
"If she actually told you that, then she's weird or she's lying. No girl likes the idea of their boyfriend living with their ex-girlfriend."
"You may have a point there."
"Told you," Julie grinned. "It's a little old, but it shouldn't be too cramped. Certainly it's got some nice wide spaces that should make looking after all ten kids much easier, unlike the apartment."
"All ten?" Zac repeated. "Aren't you still giving up the quads for adoption?"
"Oh, yes of course," Julie nodded. "But y'know... not straight away."
"The longer you keep them, the harder it'll be."
"I know. But they really should have breast milk for those first few months. It's healthier for them than formula."
"When are you moving?"
"Well, it needs six weeks for all the paperwork to finalise," Julie rolled her eyes. "But as soon as I can, right after that."
"Huh."
"I'm going to hire another nanny in the meantime. Y'know, just while I have the quads."
"Do you think it's likely you'll still have the quad by the time you move out?"
"Probably. I'd like to breast feed them for at least three months."
Zac pursed his lips.
"Fine," he said. "Leave B'E and Tom with me."
"What?" Julie frowned.
"Leave B'E Tom with me when you move. Until you put the quads up for adoption."
"Umm, excuse me?"
"I thought I was quite clear."
"You can't tell me what to do with my kids!"
"In case you've forgotten, Julie, B'E and Tom are mine too. You've said so yourself, you can't handle ten kids."
"Nannies! I told you, I'm planning on hiring another while I have the quads!"
"You'll be moving house, running on fatigue trying to breast feed four newborns for three months, and I sincerely doubt you'll get any actual work done. Nannies or no nannies. Leave B'E and Tom with me, Julie."
"Or what? You'll set a social worker on me? They're alien children, Zac."
"Really? There's a shock! Did you know YIRAAS have their own social workers? Don't try me, Julie, I will set them on you if you fight me on this."
"Don't you have enough kids of your own?"
"Friday wants Elektra when she returns to the States in May, so with B'E and Tom I'll only have five kids to look after. As opposed to your eight."
"Zac, don't do this. I'm not neglecting my kids. I'm not!"
"You only have six toddlers to content with at the moment. In a month you'll have four newborns. Or do I have to remind you what newborns are like? 2 am feedings ring a bell?"
"I can't just give up my kids!"
"Julie, all I'm asking is that you leave B'E and Tom with me until you finalise the quad's adoption. That's all! I presume you're not moving out of Tulsa so you can still see them whenever you want," Zac shook his head. "I'm not being unreasonable, Julie. I'm trying to do both you and B'E and Tom a favour here."
Julie glared at him, then finally let out an explosive breath.
"Fine. Whatever. Have it your way."
She turned on her heel, and stormed out, leaving Zac to close his eyes and sigh heavily.