“I already told you, kid,” Victor says to Alvin as he moves towards the couch. “The news people got bad information.” Victor sits down as Alvin glares at him, his arms crossed against his chest. I join Victor on the couch and the boys climb up on either side of us. “But why aren’t you engaged,” Ia
“Not such a pleasure for me,” John replies, his voice laced with frustration. “I’ve been calling all morning and have been told for hours that you’re too busy to take my call.” “Not too busy,” Victor says, tired of this already. “I just have no real desire to speak to you.” “Don’t you take that to
“All right,” Victor says, coming in and leaning against the counter with them. “If there’s nothing else,” he pauses to let either object, but neither does, “then I suggest we all go to bed and get some sleep. Thank you both so much for your help on such a long day.” The both give him fond smiles an
I dash into the boys room, waking them as gently as I can in my frantic state. Archie comes with me, barking at my heels. “Boys,” I say as they rub their eyes and groan. “Quickly – you’re safe, but I need you to move.”They respond quickly, their faces grave as they pull themselves out of bed and s
And there, next to it, a hand – its delicate fingers splayed out against the hardwood.“Bridgette,” I whisper, and then – without thinking – I’m in motion.I hear voices call out behind me as I sprint for the back door, but I don’t process what they’re saying as I push myself over the threshold. The
Desperate, panicked as pieces of the ceiling start to slam down around be, revealing flames behind, I haul myself to my feet. Determined to give it one last shot, I grab Bridgette by her shoulders again and pull, putting my whole weight into it – Suddenly, I feel something at my back. I gasp and th
Victor seethes, closing the distance between us and taking me by the shoulders to give me a rough shake. “You could have done anything else, Evelyn! You were surrounded by Betas – you could have sent one of them in –““And have them risk their lives?” I say, appalled at him, though – actually – I ha
A few hours later, in the early light of dawn, Victor and I lurch back into the cottage. I consider the calm peace of this space, which is so close to Victor’s house but now feels like a separate world. It’s almost bizarrely quiet here after such commotion all morning. Victor and I stayed through i
“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