Their parents had just returned from Paris, and the house was filled with the usual bustle of unpacking and catching up. Katie was still at school, giving Zed the perfect opportunity to have a private conversation with his parents. He had been waiting for this moment, his mind racing with questions that needed answers.

"Mom, Dad, can I ask you something?" Zed began, trying to keep his tone casual.

"Of course, Zed. What is it?" his mother replied, looking up from her suitcase.

Zed took a deep breath. "What hospital in Paris did you give birth to us?"

His parents exchanged a quick, startled glance. The question seemed to catch them off guard, and they hesitated before responding. "Why do you ask?" his father finally said, his voice cautious.

Zed shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "I'm just curious. Who knows, maybe one day I'll work at that same hospital."

His mother smiled, though it seemed a bit forced. "We gave birth to you at the American Hospital of Paris. It's a well-known place."

Zed nodded, filing the information away. "Thanks, Mom. I was just wondering."

The conversation shifted to more mundane topics, but Zed's mind was still buzzing with thoughts. The hesitation in his parents' response only fueled his suspicions. He needed to dig deeper, but he knew he had to be careful.

Later that evening, Katie returned home, and the family gathered for dinner. The atmosphere was warm and lively, but Zed couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. He glanced at his parents, wondering what other secrets they might be hiding.

During dinner, Zed decided to share their plans for the semester break. "Mom, Dad, Katie and I have been thinking about spending our semester break in Paris. We thought it would be nice to revisit some old memories and explore the city again."

Their parents exchanged a look of surprise, but then smiled warmly. "That sounds like a wonderful idea," their mother said. "It will be good for both of you to spend some time together and enjoy the city."

Their father nodded in agreement. "Just make sure to stay safe and keep in touch with us."

After dinner, Zed and Katie decided to play Scrabble in the living room. It had been a long time since they had done something like this together, and their parents watched with a mix of surprise and relief. The awkwardness that had been present for so long seemed to melt away as they laughed and teased each other over the game.

"Wow, it's been ages since I've seen you two play Scrabble," their mother remarked, smiling at the sight.

Their father nodded. "It's good to see you both getting along again."

As the game went on, Zed and Katie felt a renewed sense of connection. The tension that had been building between them seemed to dissipate, replaced by a sense of camaraderie and understanding.