#Chapter 121 – Heat

Victor finally shuts down his computer, letting out a big breath. Finally, finished for the day. He picks up his phone, intending to text Evelyn to see if he can bring something down to the house for dinner, but he’s surprised to see a text there already waiting.

Evelyn: When you come down, bring your parka. Heat’s out.

Victor scowls and runs a hand through his hair. How is this possible? He had the heater replaced against just this possibility months ago when they had the security updated in the cottage.

He heads upstairs to change into warmer clothes and then pulls on his snow boots, heading across the property to Evelyn’s house. On the way, he asks two Betas to ensure that Evelyn’s house is fully stocked with firewood that some space heaters be brought down.

When he opens the back door to Evelyn’s cottage, Victor is pleased to feel that the air in the house isn’t icy – just a bit nippier than usual.

He’s greeted by a very pleasant sight, though – a giant blanket fort, in the living room, built before a roaring fire. Inside of it, he can hear the boys laughing.

Evelyn comes down the stairs, then, wrapped up in a cozy sweater and scarf. “Oh, hello!” she says, rubbing her hands together and smiling.

“Hello,” he says, watching her come down the stairs towards him, her cheeks and the tip of her nose flushed with cold. “What are you doing in all of these layers?” He asks, curious, unable to help himself from imagining her body beneath them. “It doesn’t seem so bad in here.”

“Not in here,” she says, laughing and gesturing towards the fire. “This room is fine. So is the boys’, really, as they’re right above it. But my room is ice.”

Victor frowns again and she laughs at him. “Don’t be so upset,” she scolds. “The Betas have already called the repair man, he’s going to come tomorrow to fix it.”

“Yeah!” Alvin says, sticking his head out of the fort. “And until then, we get to have an adventure! Pretend we live in an igloo!”

“Igloo’s are very interesting!” Ian calls, his voice echoing from inside the fort. “Mom gave us a book!”

Victor shakes his head at the three of them, “you guys certainly know how to look at the bright side of a situation.”

Evelyn smiles at him slowly. “Well, it’s all brighter once you’re here.” She bites her lip a bit, watching him take off his coat, enjoying the way that his muscles move beneath his sweater.

her throat, coming back to herself. “You want some coffee? Tea?

as

at her hand in his for just a moment, and then drags her eyes up to his, not pulling her hand away. “We didn’t want to bother

for you three,” he responds, letting her slowly take her hand from his and move over to fill the tea kettle. He notes that she blushes slightly before putting it on the stove. She keeps her eyes on

her closely as she twists the knob on the stove to ignite the flame. “What

she says, confused and

he clarifies. “You said you

She bends down, staring at the grate beneath the kettle. It continues to click,

that there are some things she might want to talk

which still hasn’t lit. “Considering that I just remembered that the gas stove is controlled by the broken gas as the heat, I don’t think there’s much you can do!”

eyes at him, surprising him by

they pretend they are pioneers in the American West, living in a log cabin at the first frost. When they get bored with that, they pretend they are a family of

touches Victor’s, though both pretend not to notice. Alvin’s eyes are bright, but, like his twin, he is

more games tonight,” Evelyn says, putting out a hand to brush his cheek. “Mama bear is sleepy,

eyes as he sits before the fire.

at this. “Your room should be warm and cozy by now,” he says. Betas had come by hours ago with a stack of plug-in

“Yes,” Alvin says, yawning.

on the couch where he had just

into the fire. He leans his shoulder against the entryway, looking at her, watching the flames play shadows on the ivory of her skin, bringing out red highlights

you,” he says softly. “Are

head. “I had them put all the heaters in the boys’ room so that

up a little, tucking her legs in to make room for Victor next to her on the couch. She c***s her head towards the empty space, a silent invitation. He accepts, sitting and draping his arm over the back of the couch so he can face her. Slowly, perhaps a bit shy, Evelyn

eye and then, quite deliberately, places a hand on her calf, rubbing it softly, massaging it, moving it slowly upwards

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