The Luna and her Quadruplet Pups by Jane Above Story

Jane

“I’m worried about Paisley.” I murmur, glancing at Ethan before returning my eyes to where the pups are running along in front of us. It’s boxing day and we’ve taken a family shopping outing. At the moment Paisley is hand in hand with her siblings, but her moods have been almost as variable as my own since yesterday morning.

After receiving Linda’s gift, I’d dissolved into sobs and Ethan pulled the pups away to give me some Space, making more explanations about pregnancy hormones and wild emotions. However when he tried to remove Paisley from my arms, she clung to me like velcro, refusing to budge. “It’s okay, Ethan.” I insisted, wrapping both arms around Paisley and pulling her the rest of the way into my lap, “let her stay.”

My mind resurrected the memory of the night Paisley came to me in the bath, asking if I left her behind because I didn’t want her. I remembered the way she cried then, and yesterday felt as though we’d switched places. After she begged to stay with Ethan I needed to hold her and cry with her, to know she still wanted me, to know I hadn’t ruined everything.

The difference is that I calmed down after a while, but Paisley continued swinging back and forth between tears, anger and confusion. She would lash out at Ethan and run to me and the other pups for comfort, only to change her mind and beg for Daddy to hold her.

“You’ve been worried about all of them for weeks.”

Ethan dismisses me, but I can see a twitch in his jaw.

“Don’t act like you don’t care.” I snap. “Hating me doesn’t mean you have to be a complete as*s about the kids”

A low growl sounds in his throat, and though I tremble in response, I’m proud of myself. This time last week I wouldn’t have been able to talk back to Ethan at all. I feel so much stronger than I did before, and I’m not sure if that comes down to the pressure being off with the pups, or simply having the time to process everything that’s happened to us.

“She’l adjust.” He says, sounding unsure, “it will be easier after you leave and we’re not pulling her both ways anymore. She’s just overwhelmed.”

“I wouldn’t write off her feelings that easily.” I caution. “It’s not like with Ryder, Riley and Parker, you’re all she’s ever known. She’s never going to stop wanting you, Ethan”

“She’s four -“

“She’ll be five in two weeks.”I remind him stiffly.

“My point is that she’s very young. How much do you remember before the age of five?” Ethan inquires. “I don’t recall anything from that age.

“And that’s really what you want? You want her to target you or repress the memories of you so that she’s not mourning the loss the rest of her life? Is that really better than having you as a long- distance coparent?” I challenge.

are you really requesting this for?” Ethan replies

accuse me of being selfish about our

suddenly glowing in his eyes – however before he can

our conversation, whirling to face the person addressing us. The man is almost as tall as Ethan, with dark cocoa skin and long, curly black hair. His eyes are a striking, metallic silver, and his face could

believe it!” He exclaims, stretching his arms out to

in command, he left for greener pastures. The last I remember seeing him was at my father-in-law’s funeral and

the children. “I saw all the news about the kidnapping, you must be so relieved to have the pups

“I’m Devon, I’ve

when he was little?” Paisley asks,

tell you some wild stories about

taking in her smaller stature and the way she’s hiding behind Ethan’s legs.

I’m going to need some help telling the

I clarify, feeling even more guilty now. He’s clearly been keeping up with us, but I don’t have any idea what he’s been up to over the last decade, or even where he lives. “How long are you in town? I’d love

smiling ruefully.

meet his eyes. He’s looking at Devon with a strange light in his eyes, as if suddenly

the pups,

us?” Devon frowns. “I

tell you.”

She knows it all.”

“I start to say, baffled

on now, you deserve a break.” He continues, apparently pretending to be concerned for me now that

wolf interrupts, he

I correct her, feeling terribly bitter. And

can’t drink coffee.” I remind him sulkily, wrapping

a hot chocolate, the drink doesn’t matter.” Before I can figure out what’s happening, he’s sweeping the pups away and leaving me with Devon, who is

shrug. “I guess, do you want to

small of my back. “Do I want to know what that