A few minutes later, mom sits up, taking me with her and clucking over me as she wipes the tears from my face and pushes my hair back behind my ears. “There’s my beautiful Princess,” mom murmurs, stroking her hand over my hair and getting me all in order. “So strong and brave!” “Enemy armies I can
“Why?” I ask quietly, tilting my head to the side. “Why would you have wanted to start early, at twenty-two? You were so much older, so much…readier for it when Rafe came along. And you wanted him so badly that you went to a sperm donor to get him. Isn’t it better, to bring a baby into the world whe
“You’re all knocked up!” Jesse whispers, his tone incredibly sweet, like it’s the most adorable thing he’s ever thought of in his life. “Oh my god, Ariel!” “No way,” Rafe whispers, striding over to me, staring at me unblinking. Then he bursts out laughing, raising his hands to his hair, digging hi
Marigold gives a little cry of distress, reaching for her dad, but Jesse holds her tight, whispering to her that dad’s fine, he’s just very, very surprised. I let Jesse handle our daughter for a moment, going to my knees before Jackson and taking his face in my hands. “Jacks,” I whisper, turning h
“Yeah,” I say, petting his hair softly, smiling at him. “We can do it. We’ve got this. We’ve already got one to practice on for a couple of months – we’ll be totally prepared by the time these two come along.” “Totally prepared,” he murmurs, nodding slowly, clinging to the hope. We stare at each
I bite my lip as Jackson lowers me and my feet hit the ground, my eyes trained on my dad. Dad studies Jackson for a moment longer before moving his eyes back to me. My breath catches for a moment but then he smiles, wide and beautiful, holding out his arms. “Daughter,” he says, reaching for me.
“I’m like barely with child! Oh, come on, a sip in celebration isn’t going to hurt them!” “Mommy wants her liquor,” Jesse whispers to Marigold, his eyes wide with pretend worry. Goldie’s mouth circles into an anxious little ‘o’ as she turns her gaze to me. “Nope!” mom says, absurdly cheerful. “N
The King and the Alpha stand in silence, staring at each other. Jackson breaks first. “Please, Dominic,” Jackson says, laughing a little desperate laugh, turning a palm over in a plea for mercy. “I – I don’t get it. Please tell me what I’m doing wrong – I’ll fix it, immediately I’ll fix it.” D
Ariel bursts out laughing and gestures out to the rest of the roof. “Of all the interference to our plans, you’re going to point out this tiny, adorable, sleeping infant pup as the problem!?” Both boys look down at the little dark-haired baby, whose amber eyes flicker open to betray her mother’s w
Jesse sighs, glancing at his watch and then looking to the door, an undrunk glass of champagne in his hand. “Where the hell is your damn sister?” “Your damn cousin,” Rafe murmurs, draining his glass and then pouring himself another. “You’d better stop that,” Jesse says, turning his head to Rafe
She goes still for a moment and then laces her fingers with his, squeezes his hand. “We’re not dating or anything,” she snaps. “Just…because you got all rejected and stuff. I didn’t come running up here just because you’re single – I thought you were going to die –“ “Sure, you didn’t,” Jesse says,
“I love you, Jesse,” Midnight whispers, watching him, her little mouth trembling, her entire body feeling weak. “I love you too, Mids,” he replies. “Always.” She nods once. And then disappears. Midnight fights hard against her emotions as she flits through the castle, moving back and forth bet
“I’m saying,” Midnight says, freely crying now, cupping Jesse’s face in her tiny hands. “That I – I don’t want to have your pups, Jesse. Ever. Ever. I don’t want them.” She shakes her head, vehement. “I think I’d be a bad mom. I’d leave them at the grocery store and forget they were there. I – I jus
She has to admit though…the stars are a pleasant addition. Midnight’s wolf gives a little worried howl, sprawled out in her soul, her little legs too weak to carry her much or far these days. But Midnight smiles a little and strokes a mental hand over her wolf’s fur, pleased to see her free and cl
“What,” Jackson asks, frowning down at the little rectangular stone in his hands. “Is it like, special?” “Jackson!” Midnight hisses, standing on her toes to smack him on the chest. “They’re invaluable! This is only the second I’ve ever seen in the world! And I only know of one besides that other o
I laugh, pointing at the big plate of apple pie on the table. “Well, I’m glad to see that you’re feeling cheerful,” I say, grinning at her. “I am!” she says, happily plopping down next to Jesse and reaching for the pie, pulling it all onto her lap and digging in with a fork. “I don’t think that an
Jesse’s eyes open first, and then Midnight’s, slow and sleepy. “How do you feel?” I ask quietly, leaning towards her, able to see her better now in the dawn light that streams through the windows. “What happened?” Jackson asks. I turn to see him standing at the door and I smile, reaching out a h