“What do we play next, mama,” Alvin says, crawling onto the couch where Evelyn’s shoulder just barely touches Victor’s, though both pretend not to notice. Alvin’s eyes are bright, but, like his twin, he is sleepy.“Nothing, baby, no more games tonight,” Evelyn says, putting out a hand to brush his c
I feel a growl rumble in Victor’s chest in response to my plea. I smile as I kiss him, pulling him down on top of me as he fumbles at his belt. I know he likes it when I beg. “Please, Victor,” I murmur, my eyes closed as I cup his cheek in my hand, feeling him kick himself free of his pants. Then,
That perhaps this new thing I’ve started with Victor kind of depended on me being pregnant. Did I just want to be with him because I wanted a father for my child?Were things different now. Was this all a mistake, now that there is no child?Tears spring to my eyes in my confusion. I drop the paper
Victor can’t keep the smile off his face as, a little bit later, he trudges through the snow back to his house. It was just so unbelievably good, these past few hours, to spend time as a family, to sleep with Evelyn where she belonged, wrapped in his arms. Even the stupid mundane things, like doing
“Annabeth, please –““Mrs. Prath, if you please.”Victor pauses, taking a deep breath. “Mrs. Prath, please, I mean no disrespect, but I have no idea what could have caused this change. As far as I am aware, you and I are on the same team, dedicated to the same mission to help our community improve e
I sigh a little, my arms crossed, as I watch the Betas load the boys’ little overnight bags onto the now-familiar party bus. The boys, of course, are thrilled at the prospect of the third trial, but I’m a little sick at the idea.It’s not that I don’t think Victor will win – of course, especially in
“These are more efficient,” Victor says, putting his hands in his pockets. “Besides,” he says, giving me a boyish smile. “It’s cool.”I roll my eyes at him but can’t help but laugh. “Alvin, Ian!” I call to them – they’re getting a little too close to the heat. “Over here, stand by me, until the Beta
Just at the last gasp of dusk, Evelyn stands with the entire Kensington family at the edge of the forest. She looks up into the sky, noting that the stars are just starting to peak out into the velvety blanket of navy blue that coats the heavens. There would be no moon tonight.Good, Evelyn thinks.
“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