Mike's pov

I'm heading over to the girls' room so I can explain the situation to them before Shane arrives. I take a deep breath, praying this goes well before I knock on their door.

Carrie answers, "Come in."

"Girls, I have something important I need to tell you."

Four little faces look up at me expectantly.

"Dr. Curtis has asked me to train someone to be a guardian. His name is Admiral Shane Donovan and he's coming today to meet all of us. He'll be training with me for one whole year. While he's here I expect you to treat him respectfully. If he tells you to do something, you do it. You will listen to him and abide by his rules. Do you have any questions?"

Stacey says, "SpongeBob SquarePants says you can't have two bosses."

"What a lovely random thought, Stacey."

Julie clarifies her cousin's remark, "I think she means, what if you tell us to do something and admill tells us to do something different, who do we have to listen to? Him or you?"

"Is that seriously what you meant, Stacey?"

Stacey nods saying, "Yeah."

I really have to stop underestimating these kids. They're way more intelligent and intuitive than I give them credit for.

"If that situation should arise, Shane and I would have a discussion and come to an agreement on what you should do. And, Julie, it's admiral not admill."

Julie asks, "What's an admiral?"

"An admiral is a very high-ranking officer in the navy."

This leads to a twenty questions session that takes about twenty minutes to wrap up.

"Alright, girls, I have to get some things done before Shane arrives. I will bring him by later this afternoon to meet you."

About an hour later at Sheffield Pub

Mike's pov

I thought it would be a good idea for Shane and I to spend an hour or so at the pub getting to know each other before I introduce him to the girls. We have a few pints and shoot the breeze. It takes me all of five minutes to form my opinion of the Admiral. He's the brother I always wanted. I can see us quickly becoming best friends.

He has led the most fascinating life. After only a few minutes of conversation, it was like getting together with an old friend and picking up right where we left off. We also have a lot in common, including our theories on raising children. The girls are going to love and fear him. I couldn't ask for anything more.