The Luna and her Quadruplet Pups by Jane Above Story

Chapter 196

Jane

My dreams are deep and hazy. When I wake, I can’t remember any of them. They slip through my fingers like water, and I’m left wondering how I fell asleep in the first place. The last thing I remember, I called Ethan to tell him Paisley was missing.

Paisley! I j3rk up, rising to a sitting position on the rest stop couch where I’ve apparently been napping. I frantically look around the room, searching for my pups, but especially my youngest. When I don’t see them, I push myself to my feet, stumbling out into the brisk daylight. As soon as I walk outside, I see Devon and Ethan standing over a puppy pile. Parker, Riley, and Ryder are on the ground, curled up around their sister – giggling and wrestling.

As soon as I see Paisley, I’m crying. Why do I feel like I’ve been crying a lot today? I don’t even remember most of the morning.

“Paisley!” I exclaim, rushing to join the pile. I drop to my knees in front of them, untangling Paisley from her siblings and dragging her into my arms, before welcoming the others to join us.

“Mommy!” The sweet pup cries, wrapping her plump arms around my neck. I rock back and forth, weeping into her neck and k!ssing every inch of skin I can reach. Only once she’s been thoroughly smothered, do I offer my other babies the same affection, squeezing them all so tightly they begin to complain. “You scared me half to death!” I tell Paisley, ignoring Parker and Riley’s attempts to wriggle free from our hug ball.

“I’m sorry, Mommy.” She professes, tears swimming in her beautiful eyes. “I didn’ wanna scare you. I just wanted Daddy so bad.”

“I know, angel.” I murmur, hating to know how badly she’s hurting. “I know you’re having a hard time right now. I am too, but you can’t run away from me. You can’t put yourself in danger that way.”

“Jane.” I look up to see Ethan looking down at us, a pained grimace on his face. “We need to talk.”

Oh Goddess, not another scolding. He was helpful earlier when I called him, and he clearly found Paisley like he promised, but now she’s safe I’m almost certain I’ve got an earful coming my way.

I’m not ready to hear what a terrible mother I am again, I don’t need to be reminded.

“Do we have to?” I inquire softly, still cuddling my babies.

“Yes.” He answers gently, glancing at Devon.”

Devon can watch the pups in the meantime.”

around the children

today. In fact, I don’t think I’m ever

dates… who really needs education or socialization? I’ll keep my pups safe at home until they’re grown.

voice low and even as he interrupts my thoughts. “No one is ever going to run away, ever again – right?” He adds, directing his words to

nod their heads in agreement, staring up

argue, still clutching them.

me, pulling

Mama bear, it’ll

to calm my inner animal. The sun is setting at their backs, and I realize how much time has passed since I realized Paisley was gone this morning. I must have slept all afternoon. “I– what happened?” I ask anxiously. “The last thing I remember, I was on

very still, “Which

any sense of this. “Did we speak

“After you called to tell me about

brains

thought we were back in the city when the traffickers first took the pups. You didn’t know where

these facts. My thoughts immediately jump to Riley, Ryder

scene we must have made – me having a mental breakdown in front of my four year olds. But I can’t remember any of it, how

have to talk to them, I have to explain!” I’m

Jane. And Devon

me and I convinced you to take

I fell to pieces that way – at a time when my daughter was missing and my other pups needed me to be strong, I was a blubbering mess. Shame and guilt battle for

collapse. “How has it come to this?” I gasp, “This isn’t me! I’m

to bear scars from your traumas – if anything it shows you’ve survived against all

Is this the same man who’s been telling me I’m not fit to be a mother and I need to blame myself for everything that’s gone wrong lately? Has he actually lost his mind, or is there something

welling up inside me. “Why are you being nice to me?” I inquire, narrowing my eyes at him.

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