At the beach the next day, Evelyn leans back, enjoying the feel of the sun on her skin. Though Delia had paid for the hotel, and its quality reflected her therapist paycheck, Emma had sprung for the beach facilities and here her wealth was…evident.The three women stretch out on lounge chairs in a
Emma doesn’t confirm or deny, but instead just gives Evelyn a little look that clearly says don’t push it.“Seriously,” Evelyn says, sitting up fully now and putting her feet down on the sand. “What the hell is stopping you? You hate your life, Emma. Why don’t you just leave him?”Evelyn reaches out
When Victor and Alvin finally pull into the town of Rockport, Victor is struck anew at the charming nature of the town, almost despite himself. He’d been here before, as a child mostly, on vacation with his brother and his parents. But today, he is all business. He pushes his impressions aside and
“What is it?” Victor asks, a little breathless, suddenly horribly worried. Had something happened, someone gotten hurt?“Mommy’s really mad at us,” Alvin says, his lower lip starting to tremble. “What?” Victor says, confused. “Who? About what?”“At me and Ian, for telling you where they went,” Alvi
Evelyn also didn’t know what to do with Ian’s other piece of information. That Alvin had reported that Victor came in peace, an apology on his lips, wanting to make amends – not just to retrieve his stolen son or something equally bad. Evelyn bites her lip, thinking about it, wondering if it could
The plan comes together swiftly in the night, snapping into place almost as if it had already been there in each of their hearts. The simplicity of it astounds Evelyn, even as they spend the rest of the evening working out the details and figuring out how, precisely, they would put it into action.I
Part of the joy was the knowledge that it was a distraction from her problems at home - from missing her other son, from wondering about Victor and what he wanted from his life, about what the hell she was going to do with her future. Instead of sending her mind to these very important questions, E
“Over here, please!” Alvin calls to the Betas who carry in boxes and boxes of supplies, directing them to a cleared corner of the living room. Victor is setting up his new temporary office and Alvin is helping, dressed for the part in Beta-black boots, trousers, and sweater. As the majority of Vict
“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