Evelyn laughs a little at that, taking a bite of cheese and sipping from her glass. “Well, I hope so,” Evelyn says. “But we’re so happy right now, I just don’t want anything to come forward that…bursts our little bubble.” Delia nods, understanding. She stays quiet, letting Evelyn continue. “I mean
Delia’s eyes go wide as she realizes that Victor and Evelyn have absolutely no idea what she’s talking about. “Um,” she says, her eyes darting between them. “Not that I believe the rumors, of course – it’s just fringe celebrity blogs and twitter accounts posting stupid theories –“ “What. Theories.”
“Thank you,” Evelyn says softly, putting her hand on his arm. She’s grateful, really, to be with someone who has no interest in taking his anger out on her friend just because she was the bearer of bad news. She knows that other men – Joyce, for instance – would have been less gracious. Victor cont
Victor takes Evelyn’s face in her hands, studying her. She watches as the emotions cross his face. Shock, then wonder, then happiness – and then sadness when he realizes that her sentence was in the past tense. Then disappointment, worry, perhaps a tinge of fear. “But you’re…not? Weren’t?” he says,
But as Victor takes in her smirk, her hand resting casually on her stomach, her too-innocent blink… He knows that something is different. Since he broke the mating bond, something has irrevocably changed. The desire that used to course through his veins, drawing him to her? It’s no longer there. In
“Amelia,” Victor growls, leaning forward in his seat. “Your life with me is finished – it is over. You have to get over that.” “It’s not you I miss,” she hisses, the peaceful and gracious mask that she wore when he sat down totally discarded. “It’s the life I worked to build. I have lost everything
“Fine,” Victor says, throwing his arm out in a gesture that suggests that Rafe should get on with it. “Bridgette and I have decided that we’re going to say in this house,” Rafe says, enjoying the sight as his brother’s face grows red with rage. “She likes it here, so we’re going to stay during the
Victor groans softly as he leans back against the pillows in Evelyn’s bed that nigiht. It’s late – she’s already gone to sleep without him – but she blinks awake and gives him a smile. “Welcome home, sugar,” she says. “You missed lunch and dinner,” she continues, glancing at her watch. “But look! B
“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