“Um,” Mark says, running a hand through his hair, his eyes again straying to the exit. “I think I want a walk.”“You okay, baby?” I ask, turning to him with a frown. Mark – why is he being weird now? Honestly, with all of these developments, I’m not sure I can handle anything new from Mark too.“I’m
“Hey,” I growl, pointing my finger between Rafe and Jesse, starting to get pissed. “I am here for Jackson – I have been very kind throughout all of this huge, insane surprise tonight –““That boy has been there for you, Ariel,” Rafe interrupts, still very, very serious. “And you dragged him through
“But,” Jesse says, raising his glass again to me in toast. “I think that you’re going to be great, Ari. I think this is weird, and challenging, but that…I don’t know. I think that it could be really good.”“Mom always says babies are a blessing, however they come,” I say on a sigh, looking down into
The room is dark when I step inside, but my eyes focus immediately on Jackson sitting on the ground at Marigold’s side, both of them lit by the light of a tiny nightlight shaped like a unicorn. Jackson looks up at me and smiles when I come in, even as a little request for quiet comes down the bond b
“Thank you,” he replies, dismissing my point. And I smile, opening the bond again, passing a constant stream of love and reassurance down the bond to my mate. Because it’s not that I’m not freaked out, or scared, or shaken by all of this –It’s just that Jesse and Rafe are right. Jackson needs me ri
About forty-five minutes later Jackson and I leave the bedroom with a damp and happy little girl between us, one of her hands in each of ours. She trots happily forward and we both grin down at her, I think both of us still buzzing from the happiness of bathtime.To say that Marigold was happy with
I burst out laughing and pick up a plate, my stomach rolling over with hunger as I do as my father suggests, picking out a rather indulgent breakfast.Breakfast passes quite calmly with all of us scattered around the living room eating off our knees. I mean, there are several dining rooms all over t
“Whoa,” Jesse says, starting back from the door a bit as he peers into the room. “Should I…go?”“Jesse,” Marigold whispers, peering over Jackson’s arm, her eyes locking on my cousin. Jesse beams at the little girl, I think quite pleased that she remembers his name.“Who…” Jackson says on a sigh, loo