I turn to my left and open the refrigerator, stooping down to take a good long look at perhaps a dozen bottles of Amelia’s precious rose wine. I pull out a bottle and study it. I enjoy a glass of wine (or three) myself, but part of me suspects that Amelia’s entire caloric intake during the day comes
Two hours later, I pour Victor his fifth glass of whiskey. “This has gotta be the last one, Evelyn,” he says, his words only slightly slurred. But his face is happy, a little pink from laughter and drink. “Penultimate, at best,” I say, winking at him and making sure it’s an extra-generous pour. “
“I didn’t want water. I only wanted you.” He fastens my eyes with his own as he says it, not blinking, not even once. We stare at each other, our breath matching. As he breathes in, I breathe in, so that we are almost as one, existing together. It’s unbearable, in its clarity, it’s simplicity. I t
My boys save me from this awkward moment, thank god, by bounding into the room. “Mommy!” Ian shouts, flinging himself onto the couch and crawling up onto my lap. “Hi papa!” Alvin says, waving at his dad as he rounds the coffee table and crawls up behind me, wrapping his arm around my neck and givi
I am silent a moment, looking between them. I guess part of me was hoping that they would be six-year-old boys, in this case, and not the Alpha’s genius twins. “I’m sorry, boys,” I say. “You deserve a better explanation than you’ve gotten. I’ll tell you all about it.” I close my eyes, organizing m
“Sir?” Beta Stephen’s voice is hesitant at the door. “There’s a…Mr. Lorinc here to see you? He says he has an appointment.” Victor draws his brows close over his eyes. “I don’t recognize that name,” he says, standing. “Apologies, sir,” a small bearded man peeks out from behind Stephen’s shoulder.
“What are you doing Amelia.” Victor’s voice is low and threatening. “Why did you invite that man to my house.” Amelia is blasé in her response, refusing to give in to Victor’s anger. “Obviously, I’m making plans for the boys’ future education. If you and Evelyn are just going to let them sit around
Victor: Home in about an hour, do you want to have dinner? Victor stares at the text on his phone. The messaging system lets him know that Amelia has read it, but not responded. He sighs, tucking his phone away in his pocket as his town car pulls into the club. For the past twenty-four hours Ameli
“Me me me,” he says, hardly able to contain his excitement. “My turn, mama. Please.” And he looks down, again, at his little girl. “Well,” I say, shifting her in my arms and leaning forward so Ian can better see her face. She frowns in her sleep, squirming a little and making me smile. “I was think
Several hours later, I’m changed and curled up more comfortably in my bed with Victor by my side, a baby in each of our arms, and our boys curled up like puppies at the end of the bed. Archie is on the bed too, cuddled between them. We sit quietly together, all still focused on the two little babie
“It’s all right, doctor,” I say, giving her a little smile and nodding towards the boys. “We found them.” “Oh my god,” she says, shaking her head and placing a hand over her heart. Then she frowns at them. “How did they…” “Window,” Victor says, gesturing towards it and sighing. “It’s all right. Th
“Come on, Evelyn,” the doctor says confidently as Victor squeezes my hand, his eyes darting between my face and the first baby, which the doula is now wrapping in her first swaddle. “One more push, and then you’ll be done, and you can hold your little girls.” “Okay,” I huff, sitting up and shifting
Slumped on the couch, Ian heaves a gigantic sigh. “What is taking so long,” he mutters, glaring angrily at the steps as if they’ve personally offended him. “You knew it would take a while,” Bridgette murmurs, running a hand over Ian’s soft brown hair and smiling fondly at her nephew. She sighs and
“Oh my god,” Victor gasps, instantly wide awake. “Oh my god,” he says again, grabbing my face and searching it like it has answers. “Are you – are you okay?” “Yes,” I say, nodding but then belying my answer with an immediate moan. I grit my teeth, my hand going to my stomach as I weather the contra
And between them, my three Alphas have kept me sane. Even though every other part of the end of this pregnancy has worked hard against that sanity. Very, very hard. Even though the TV is on, capturing both of our attention, Ian very suddenly turns his head towards my stomach, like a dog hearing a w
As it turns out…I cannot. I cannot spend 3 months in bed, waiting for my babies to be born. Two and a half months later, I’m basically climbing the walls, I’m going so crazy sitting here in this bedroom, waiting for my little girls to be born. I’ve done it this long, though. I’ve stayed in my bedr
“Why?” Victor asks, suddenly serious in the sea of merriment. “Evelyn, why aren’t you here? What’s wrong?” “Um…” she says, her eyes glancing away awkwardly. “Because…I went into early labor…and I’ve been put on bedrest…” The tablet cracks as it falls to the floor. Rafe gasps, reaching down for it