The Luna and her Quadruplet Pups by Jane Above Story

Jane

When the pups are finally asleep, I slip out of their room, closing the door at my back and leaning against it. My knees feel weak and shaky, and I’m thankful for the solid wood at my back keeping me upright. I clench my eyes shut, trying to take deep breaths and calm down.

That was one of the hardest conversations I’ve ever had as a mother. Not because it was particularly contentious or fraught, but simply because it upsets me to no end to think my pups have been taking the responsibility for my sadness onto themselves. I haven’t been doing my job. I’ve been so caught up in my own grief that I didn’t even realize I was hurting my babies, making them stressed and anxious. Instead of taking care of them, they’ve been trying to take care of me.

When I finally open my eyes again, I realize that Ethan is standing in the hallway, watching me. My heart sinks – as if he needed more reasons to think I’m an unfit mother – I’m sure he overheard our entire conversation.

“Please don’t.” I beg, whispering so I don’t wake the pups. “I feel badly enough already.”

He doesn’t say a word, his dark eyes boring into me with piercing intensity. Pushing myself away from the door, I stiffly stride into my bedroom, going to my closet to retrieve the gifts I have hidden for the children. I gather the boxes, bags, wrapping paper and stocking stuffers, before reemerging and heading for the living room.

The stockings are already hanging over the fireplace, and a plate of cookies and milk a resting on the hearth. I start by laying out the wrapping paper on the floor, pulling out scissors and tape so I can begin working, but then a pair of very large, very familiar feet appear beside me. “I can do this.” Ethan tells me, pointedly eyeing my stomach. “You need to rest.”

“I’ve always set up Christmas morning for the pups.” I insist, feeling both defiant and near tears.

You might not want my company but I’m not going to let you take this away from me.” I almost add the word “too” at the end of my sentence, but stop myself just in time.

“You’re under to0 much stress and you’re clearly upset.” He remarks distantly, “it isn’t good for the baby.”

“What do you care, about the baby?” I demand hotly. “You barely even blinked when I told you.”

“It’s still my child,” Ethan reminds me severely, and if you’re unwell you can’t care for any of them.”

“Ethan, I got through newborn triplets all on my own, I think I can get through a little morning sickness and fatigue.” I insist, beginning to wrap the box in front of me.

“I know that, and soon you are going to have to do it alone, but you don’t right now. Let me help while you’re here. It’s why I agreed to this in the first place, so everything wouldn’t fall on your shoulders and you’d have some space to breathe.”

Ethan reasons.

this part.” I argue, feeling my throat

think he’s going to refuse me again, but after a few moments of contemplation, he simply kneels down beside me and reaches

“Don’t do that, you don’t get to do that anymore.” I object, even as the soothing

anything for him to care about me

answer my own question as my wolf whines in the background. It’s pity,

sorry.” Ethan sighs. “I was only trying to

help if you hadn’t hurt me in the first

Ethan says

words hang in the air. We work the rest of the evening in a silence so heavy I feel the weight of it bearing down

try and keep the pups out of my room in the moring so I can sleep in. I want to tell him not to bother, but the truth is I’m beyond exhausted, so I go without

my favorite holiday than I am today. For the first time I’m not mourning Paisley’s absence, but having my children together doesn’t

me his prisoner I retreated inside myself, and when I finally left I hardened my heart against him and any other man

fact that I was already awake and crying. Instead I feign sleep, playing the same game we always play when the pups are particularly excited about something. They clamber around me

my covers. “Mommy!” They whisper again, shaking my arm, trying to pry open one of my eyes.

I roll over, slinging my arm out over the pups and trapping at least one wriggling little body beneath me. “Mommy, wake up!” They exclaim, giggling delightedly. “It’s

a bit more, groggily cracking one

Wha’s happening?”

Christmas!”

sitting up now and stretching. “Are you sure, wasn’t that

from bed. I’m surprised when he single handedly manages to budge me, pulling me

a few years I won’t stand a chance, he’ll

to see

that case, I suppose

the room. When we reach the living room Ethan is already awake and cooking breakfast. I smell coffee brewing, wishing I could have a cup but knowing the