The smell of pine needles and lavender fills the room. I keep my eyes closed and hide my smile as the giggles get closer.

 

“Mommy? Are you awake?” Maya’s little voice whispers loudly. I can feel her weight climbing onto the bed.

 

“Shhh, Maya, Mommy gets to sleep, because it's her birfday,” Andreas giggles at her while he climbs onto the bed as well.

 

I roll over and pretend to yawn witha big growl and stretch my arms out wide, grabbing them both and bringing them toward me. Their happy squeals fill my heart with joy.

 

“Hello, darlings,” I squeeze them tightly in my arms.

 

“Mommy, happy birfday!” Andreas says happily and gives me a wet kiss on the cheek.

 

“Mommy, Auntie Delilah said she’s made a cake for you,” Maya says with big gray eyes. She lays in my arms and plays with my white hair. She gives a sly little smile, “I think she made chocolate.”

 

talk excitedly at the same time, telling me about all the things they want to do with me today for my birthday until it’s time

 

light green eyes sparkle and he pushes his light

 

he does?” I muse, helping him brush his bangs to the side. I had specifically told him not to get me

 

cookies,” Andreas says solemnly. I laugh, “Okay, fine. Speaking of which, where

 

room with Uncle

 

minutes after they deliver the twins, the entire pack rejoices. That's what I'm told, anyway. I am too weak to find out for myself. Bronx arranges for me to live in the suite next to his apartment. For the first four months, I cannot get out of bed without help from the nurses. When she gets back from maternity

 

is taking it seriously this time. For a few months, he only comes to see the twins when I’m sleeping, not wanting to upset me with his presence. He finally starts coming to the suite when I am awake, but stands at a distance. He asks me how I am, but is careful not to get too close to me or try to have any sort of meaningful conversation. Diane

 

and spends a lot more time with our babies once we are on speaking terms. Delilah, Ashley, and Musu come on the day’s Diane has off and take

 

the hospital wing for doctor appointments. He also makes sure I take my medicines and vitamins. We have actual conversations and discuss pack business. Not like we used to, but it’s a start.

 

half has passed, Diane insists that Bronx andI goona date while she and Carly keep the children for the evening. He takes me to the botanical garden where he has a chef flown in from Paris to make us dinner and he shows me roses bushes he had

 

I spend more time together. There are even some nights where we have the twins sleep in the nursery

me in the bedroom without waking me up and sleeps on the sofa.

 

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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