LOGIN“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
“Nothing’s wrong,” Ian says, shrugging, drawing Alvin’s gaze back to him. “That was just awesome.”Alvin freezes for a moment and then both boys start to laugh. Brent crosses his arms, not joining in, pissed off to be under these kids’ control. “You have to teach me how to do that!” Ian says, jumpi
Ian slaps his hands over his mouth, catching the hint from his brother and working to raise a bit of hysteria on his own face as well. Of course, both boys know that their father is alive – they can feel it, inside of themselves. But they also know how gravely wounded he is.Still, they sense that t
The guilt. I’ll never be able to outlive the guilt.“No, Evelyn,” Victor whispers. “Don’t. Every moment has been worth it. Every single thing that has fallen apart and been rebuilt, no matter how shaky – it is right. You know it too.”I nod to him, crying so hard I can’t shape words. But I do know i
Footsteps sound behind him, three sets, he’s sure – two sets in boots, and then another set, fumbling, lighter.“God damnit,” she growls and Victor’s whole body feels lighter at the sound of her voice. “Get your god damn hands off of me, or I swear to god, when we take this pack I will cut them off







