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
“Mama.”I blink, my son’s little voice waking me what feels way too early on a Tuesday morning. “Mama, wake up,” Alvin says again.“Baby,” I murmur. “What time is it?”“It’s 5 o’clock,” he says, and I groan, turning my head back into my pillow.“Come back later, baby,” I say. “Mama’s still sleeping.
She laughs, looking at them out the window, as the sky starts to grow dark. Then, wrapping a blanket around her shoulders, Evelyn goes outside. “Come on, boys!” She calls to the three. “It’s growing late, time for dinner.”With only a bit of chagrin – for they are tired – the boys all trudge in, aga
Evelyn creeps up silently behind Victor and he jumps as she pulls on his sleeve. Silently, she puts her finger to her lips and nods her head back to the kitchen, indicating that he should come with her. He nods and follows.“What’s going on with those three?” she whispers, curious. “They wanted to h
“How are you doing with all of that?” she says, turning towards Bridgette. Sensing that this talk might be better left to the women alone, Victor quietly moves away, sliding his hand down and across Evelyn’s back as he goes. A small shiver runs pleasantly down her spine. “All of what?” Bridgette sa
I spent the rest of the evening in a very quiet panic. Victor could tell, of course, that something was wrong, but I avoided all conversation with him.If we spoke, even for just one moment, I was afraid I’d blurt it all out. And really, I don’t know anything yet. I had gotten the boys out of Victo
“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