Seth povThe loud beeping next to my ear irritates me enough for me to force my eyes open. The last thing I remember is contractions and intense pain. Luciano grabbed my bag while the rest of my husbands freaked out and prepared the car. On our way to the hospital, I understood something was wrong. The pain I felt was nowhere near the one I felt when I gave birth to our first set of triplets. In fact, that was far from it. By the time Luciano carried me inside the hospital, I was nearly out of it, but now, I’m just lying on the bed. I wonder if they performed a c-section. Someone places their hand over mine, and I jerk my head to the person. It’s a nurse who smiles at me as if the weight of an entire planet just fell off her shoulders. “How are you feeling?” She asks, glancing at the weird machine next to her.“I’m fine,” I rasp. “Are my babies okay? Where are they?”My eyes scan the room, but I don’t see the tiny beds nor hear any newborn sounds. Fear creeps up on me. What if th
Lazarus povOn the bright side, we are in the hospital, which is literally the one place I know gets cleaned up the fastest and with the most efficiency since everything has to be sterile. On the not so bright side, my brother is covered head to toe in blood, waving someone's spine in front of us, and has a dead body next to his feet. "All I need are those fake pink wings, and I'll transform into a fairy. One of these days, I will become a worm and then evolve into an even more beautiful fairy," Lenox laughs in excitement. I pinch the bridge of my nose and groan, "Lenox, that's not how it-"I stop myself before I can finish the sentence. Sometimes it's better to let him be. Explaining something to him will make this mess even more unbearable, and I rather stay aside. Before my brother can express more of his outrageous ideas, a nurse cleans her throat behind us. She arches her eyebrow at me as if I'm the one who's responsible for his mess, and I mouth, 'don't even ask'. Her eyes
Luka povOnce the nurse tells us our mother is awake, we jump to our feet and follow in her steps. Our fathers look all sorts of relieved, and I think I notice a slight smile on dad’s lips. We walk in what seems to be circles until the nurse stops and motions her hand towards something. Our attention focuses on the two women before us. Mom’s sitting in a wheelchair, tears in her eyes, and Sarah’s next to her, holding hands and sobbing. It takes me a moment to understand they’re looking at something behind a massive window. “Boys, come here and meet your baby brothers,” mom whispers without prying her gaze from the window. I swallow the lump forming in my throat and step closer. Call me a coward, but I’m scared to bring up anything about triplets when I see only two beds and babies. “The one on the right is Liam, and the other baby is named Levi,” mom announces with nothing but pride. Our fathers rush to her side and smother her with kisses and questions while the three of us su
Lazarus povI might feel a tiny ping of jealousy as I look at my baby brothers and listen to my family bicker about the baby Sarah’s carrying. I can’t wait until the day she tells me she’s pregnant with my babies. I can’t imagine the pure happiness I could feel once her belly swells with my own pups. It’s clear that we chose the same family dynamics as our parents did- regardless of who is the biological father, we all will raise the kids like they’re our own. While that’s settled and done, I still can’t resist the urge to have kids of my own. If only Sarah agrees, we will have an entire pack of babies. “Thank you for saving us,” I hear my mother say, and I’m sure we look hilarious as all of us look down at her. She’s holding Sarah’s hand, gazing at our woman like she’s a demigod. I arch an eyebrow in question. What is this supposed to mean now? Mom looks at us with that dopey smile on her lips. “Sarah gave us her blood; that’s why I pulled through, and so did your brothers. She
Lenox pov That cheeky fucker didn’t ditch us to make a phone call. If Laz thinks he’s so damn slick that he might fool me, he has another thing coming his way. My Spidey senses are tingling, so he can’t fool me for shit. While our family laughs and exchanges their opinions on things I can’t even follow along with, I grin and excuse myself. Mom did eye me with suspicion, but I told her that I need to take a piss, so she let me be. It’s funny how mom’s back off once their children say something inappropriate. Though I feel all sorts of amused, I need to find Laz, not let myself get distracted again. I wonder why giraffes have such long necks. Should I do some research on them? I mean, how does that work? Do they have a couple of long bones or many tiny ones, and how the fuck they don’t break their necks? Lord knows I’d end up dead in the first few hours of my life if I had a neck like that. Fuck it, if I survived with it, I’d start working in the strip club as the damn pole.
Sarah povI manage to lose myself in the conversation with Seth and her husbands. We're all smiles and laughter, positive emotions only. It's weird to think that just hours ago, we feared for her life. I don't want to bring up anything about the third baby because that might shatter her. Who am I kidding now? It's definitely already shattering her soul; she's just the strongest woman I've met and won't let anyone see her pain. I scan the faces that surround me and frown. Luka is near, but I don't see Lazarus or Lenox. Lazarus mentioned something about a phone call, but Lenox didn't say a thing whenever he left. Something's telling me he's up to no good. I nudge Luka's side and lean in to whisper, "Where are your brothers?"His eyes scan the surroundings the same way as mine did just moments ago, and once he understands they're not here, Luka scowls. He shrugs his shoulders, but I see he's thinking the same thing I am. "I think I should go and check where Lenox went. I'm not worr
Lenox povI might have had a tiny slip-up, and since Lazarus looks at me like he's about to prove that performing an abortion on a fetus even at my age is possible, I assume the slip-up wasn't that tiny after all. "You can't abort me unless you want mom to do the same to you," I blurt out in a moment of panic. I still hold the spoon, and the fucker isn't accepting my peace offering. Does he have any idea how much this spoon means to me? I planned to leave it to my kid once I die, but now, I'm offering it to him. "Oh my God," he groans and pinches the bridge of his nose. Lazarus looks all sorts of annoyed and angry; even though the corner of his lip twitches, I think he won't have anything nice to tell me.Alright, I get it, I shouldn't have told Sarah anything, but he can't blame me for that. Luka and Sarah give me THE LOOK. I'm helpless against that look and can't shut my trap even if I try my hardest. My gaze snaps back to Lazarus once he groans. "You know what? Just drop it an
Sarah povHonestly, I'm glad Seth appeared and pulled me away from the madness of her sons. As much as I love the crazy trio, there's no use in standing next to them while Lenox is in one of his moods. Lazarus doesn't appear to be too excited to answer questions, Luka asks the same questions I have and doesn't get the answers, and Lenox, well, he's Lenox. "I'm so glad my boys finally pulled their heads out of their asses and understood it's about time they need to mark you. It's a wonderful experience, darling," Seth giggles excitedly as she speaks. "Do we really need a party in honour of this idea?" I groan, unable to hide how uncomfortable I am with her idea. I wouldn't mind a party for anything but this occasion. I believe marking is a massive milestone in one's life, and I would rather celebrate it with my men. And yes, I know Seth is trying to be helpful and genuinely happy for us, but still, I want something intimate just for us. "Ah, don't get me started on those parties.
Sarah pov I gulp as I scan the faces of the men in my room. A part of me wants to have Seth by my side, but she’s too good to stick around now. The thing I mentioned earlier, the possibility of terminating the pregnancy- it was my idea. I spoke about it and Seth just held my hand and said she would support me regardless of what I do. I saw the tears and pain in her eyes, I saw how much against the idea she was, but being the amazing woman she is, Seth stood by my side. And she would now too, but this time, I need to listen to the men who love me and make the decision with them. Only them. My mind races, thousands of thoughts run through the deepest parts, and each scream something new. Should we know what’s hiding inside our baby? Sure, the possibility of it being evil is small, but even a good being wouldn’t take over a body that isn’t born yet without a reason. Than said it himself, the holy beings come here to stop the evil deeds and this situation is too grand for him t
Sarah pov It’s not so much that Than makes me nervous, because he sure as hell does, it’s more his words that leave me speechless. He’s implying that whatever is living inside my body must be someone who’s sent for a greater good. There’s no saying if he could be right or if he’s tricking me, but the look on his face doesn’t resemble someone who’s coming here to play games. Besides, technically, he has no reason to fool me. His daughter lives inside Lenox, he has an obvious attraction toward Seth, and so far, he has proven himself to be worthy. Maybe he’s the one person I should listen to? “Okay, so what do we do next?” I ask, probably sounding a bit too uneasy. Not that he could blame me given that the past events keep piling up and the entire family seems to lack time to deal with the issues. “Nothing. We wait,” Than leans back in his seat as the tension finally leaves his features. At this point, as confused as I am, maybe he is right. Perhaps sitting back and waiti
Luka pov Lazarus stares at dad with the same confused, shocked, and wide-eyed expression as I do, but as it seems, it’ll take a while for my brother to come back to his senses. Possibly even too long, so this time, I have to step up and give him a break. Turning my full attention to dad, I clear my throat and slightly tilt my head as I speak, “Whatever is your idea about this situation, you can’t blame us. The last time we were with Lenox, he promised to follow us in a bit. We talked to Sarah and just left the room, and as you might have noticed, both of us kept glancing around. We were looking out for Lenox and decided to wait for him here.” Now, dad’s facial expression mimics ours, and all of us look like a bunch of very confused idiots. “That means you didn’t give Lenox a damn blessing to go there?” Dad turns his attention back to Lazarus. My brother shakes his head, still somewhat shocked, yet slowly regaining his senses. I have no idea what dad is thinking right now, but no
Sarah pov“You have to be kidding me,” I groan as I close my eyes and try to grab control over my emotions and senses. In all honesty, I’m a bit over everyone telling me what I’m supposed to do. No, perhaps not even just a bit- a lot, damn it. One person comes in here to tell me it’s better to do this, and the other arrives to tell me the complete opposite. How am I to make the right decision if everyone seems so indulged in my life that they need to make the decisions for me, or even try to shift my judgement?Isn’t this the one matter that I should discuss with my partners and come up with the best thing to do for our future? Yes, I already made the mistake of thinking that I had all the right to make this choice on my own, but thank God, Lazarus opened my eyes and reminded me it’s as much my decision as it is his brother’s. But now, there’s a demon sitting next to my bed and claiming I can’t even think about the termination. Does he have any idea who resides in my baby? What if
Lenox pov“Holy fucking sticks and bricks, let me shit myself while you’re acting all mysterious and dangerous, why don’t you? Come on, tell me and I promise I won’t steal shit here,” I grin at the blob and hide my hand behind my back to cross my fingers. For as long as I keep them crossed, no one can claim I lied. Alright, I’m lying, I still fully intend to steal something, but the creature doesn’t need to know. “Follow me, but for those answers, keep in mind that everyone pays a price,” she whispers as if she’s trying to make a fucking deal with me now. What the hell is even happening? I promised mom I wouldn’t make a deal with the devil and this thing before me looks like I imagine a devil would. I want the heart, but the price? Yeah, for as long as I don’t know what it is, I’m not that keen to exchange my left nut for the heart. I need my left nut. Panic seizes me as images of this, whatever it really is, ehem, woman, grabbing my nut, runs through my mind. I quickly lift the
Sarah pov “He’s right,” I let out a long, shaky breath as I admit the one thing I wish I wouldn’t have to admit out loud. Lazarus might have reacted to my words in a way I didn’t expect him to, but at least, he didn’t shy away from telling me everything he thinks of the decision I’m trying to make. Regardless of the circumstances and setting, I can’t make the choice on my own because Lenox is present. Often, women have to carry the burden of life-changing choices on their own simply because they are alone. But I’m not. And I know that I won’t be even if I pressure the matter and the choice, I thought was the right one. But what if it’s not? What if Lazarus is right in more ways than I can think of? What if the next time Lenox and I try for a baby, we have to face the same situation as now? I know, we don’t have much time to make the decision, but we also don’t know how dangerous the thing is that’s taking over my baby. “What do you mean?” Seth asks, concern crossing her fea
Lenox pov~If you do this, I will never forgive you,~ As snarls at me as I hop through the shadowy, eerie-looking forest. Shit, this place feels like home. I could totally see myself living here, building a small cabin and all that nonsense. While As keeps fuming, I stop to take in the scenery and enjoy the silence surrounding me. The tree branches look like they’re ready to grab my body and gut me on the spot. How hot is that? I can almost imagine how I could take one of those fucking vile-looking branches and make myself a new, exclusive spoon. Maybe that thing could have a mind of its own and attack people on my commands?Once I’m done with my task, I might grab a souvenir on my way out of here. While my mind wanders to beautiful possibilities, As can’t seem to shut the fuck up, so I snap at her. “Because I should forgive you for nearly killing my brother, huh? Real smooth, Miss As, real fucking fantastic ants farm smooth.” She scoffs. ~You forgot who keeps you alive.~ Yeah,
Lazarus pov“Kill the baby?” The question leaves my lips before I can stop it. I didn’t intend to be so straightforward or come across as a complete asshole, but sometimes, even if I try my darndest, I can’t stop myself from saying some things. All eyes in the room focus on me. I guess saying something in the lines as Sarah did, the fancy wording of termination and all, seems more humane than the actual truth. All things aside, that’s exactly what she’s saying. She is planning to kill the baby. I raise my hands and shake my head. “We need to discuss this. All of us. Just think of the possible consequences and the reaction Lenox will have to these news. Like it or not, he’s the biological father of that child, and he has a say too. Yes, it’s your body and your choice, but thus far, I haven’t heard anything from you that implied that you didn’t want this baby. In fact, you appear to be rather happy about the possibility of becoming a mother.”Everyone in the room sits silent. Sarah
Luka povWhen Laz and I step into Sarah’s hospital room, she’s already wide awake, grinning at our mom. My heart skips a beat at the sight before us. Not only the adoration in the eyes of the women I love the most but I’m taken aback by how much at ease Sarah appears. Her cheeks are slightly flushed, so I assume they were sharing some secrets or spent the time laughing at their weird jokes. However, despite the cheerful energy that surrounds them, I can’t help but feel a little suspicious. As they smile at us, I notice how the smiles don’t reach their eyes and it’s all the confirmation I need to accept that something’s wrong. Not only wrong but they’re also trying to hide it from us. Whatever it is, I’ll figure it out sooner or later, because just like Sarah said- if we want this to work, we must remember how important communication is. Sucking in a deep breath, I brace myself for the possible backlash but still go with the initial plan and dive right in, “What’s wrong?”Sarah a