My eyes fill with tears then, and I come up with nothing. He’s right, of course – we are beyond all of this – we’ve had these talks. And if we do die here – And god damnit, but I’m determined to live – but – If we do die. He’s right. I want to go with my arms around him, full of the knowledge that
It’s a subdued night that evening by the fire. The ghosts don’t bother us, or perhaps they’re not here to bother us – perhaps they live in a different part of the forest. But either way, the four of us are alone as we sit by the fire, eating our little dinner in silence. The boys glance between us,
But tonight – damn, but it’s a vivid dream. The dream world around me, for all purposes, looks precisely like the tent which I had set up only a few hours before. Except, it’s light with a bright golden light, like noon sun. And filled with fog, like we’re sitting in clouds.Not a breath of me is fr
“Come on, mama,” Alvin says, tugging at my hand and leading me towards the broken-down old house.“Alvin,” I hiss, pulling him back. “We can’t go in there – it’s a ruin –“He frowns at me, confused. “Mama,” he says, “the forest brought us to this house. Don’t you think it wants us to go in?”I screw
And the table…Alvin’s already at it, slavering over what he sees there, and I admit that my mouth falls open when I see it. Everything I could want for breakfast, everything meal I’ve ever enjoyed, is here. I marvel, reaching out and picking up a blueberry muffin that I swear – I swear – is identi
“Come on, Papa!” Ian shouts, grabbing his father’s hand and tugging him out towards the forest. “Ian,” Victor scolds, digging in his feet and refusing to be pulled forward without a plan. “Come on, you know better than this. A good soldier isn’t going into those woods without a plan.”Ian frowns at
Victor follows his pointed finger upwards, looking into the dawn sky. He blinks, surprised at what he sees there. The moon, full and rich, white and pale against the blue sky. Victor’s first reaction is simply to admire it – it’s a beautiful sight, and so rare to see the moon during the day. But…
“Oh my god,” I moan, letting my head fall back against the wooden chair as I slowly chew the last bite of the muffin that I’ve crammed into my mouth. “It is so delicious. I can’t stand it.”“Yeah!” I hear Alvin agree, even though my eyes are pressed shut. “Way better than a stinking granola bar.”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