I struggle to get free from underneath my blankets and children. I haven’t heard from Edgar since our visit to the Beta camp, despite many calls and texts. “No, it’s okay,” Edgar says, closing the door behind him and taking a few steps into the living room. “Don’t get up – I don’t mean to disturb y
Victor nods and places the folded scrap into his pocket. “And Sir,” Edgar says, taking a deep breath. “I’d like to tender my resignation with the Beta force.” “What!?” The word leaves me with a great huff of air. Victor’s face likewise the picture of shock, though he says nothing. I look between t
“I’m fine, babies,” I say, kneeling down and opening my arms. They come forward and allow me to wrap them in a big hug, one I very much need. “Edgar let us know that he’s going away for a while. We’re going to miss him, aren’t we?” “Yeah,” Alvin says, laying his head on my shoulder. “I liked Edgar.
And then, there’s Edgar. As I stare at the wall in my closet, I allow myself, finally, to consider my feelings about my breakup. In the past few days I’ve done precisely what I advise my clients not to do: I’ve avoided the issue. I’ve ignored my thoughts of him, pressed down my feelings, stayed bus
I blink and shake my head, snapping myself out of it. “The last time we talked,” I say, “we discussed your family’s attempt to take over power from you. How is that progressing?” I’m surprised to hear that his answer is fairly light. “I’m actually feeling much better about that,” he says. “Really?
Evelyn pushes open the back door to Victor’s house, holding it open so that Alvin and Ian can scamper in. “Hello?” she calls. “Ah, Evelyn,” Henry Kensington rolls into sight from the living room, looking her up and down with a sneer on his face. “How good of you to come.”“Pop pop!” Alvin yells, da
“Also tested that evening,” he continues, glancing at me and Bridgette, his face a little unhappy, “is the capacity of each of their chosen Lunas,” he says the word with a little sarcasm, Evelyn assumes because she is not actually Victor’s chosen Luna, “to assist him in these social aspects.”“That
“I’m fine, Evelyn,” Victor says, clearing his throat and shaking his head. “We will continue.”Evelyn stands back against the wall, gritting her teeth. Next to her, Ian crosses his arms and frowns, angry. “He’s not fine, mama,” he says. Alvin nods vigorously in agreement. “I know, babies,” she whis
“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