The Luna and her Quadruplet Pups by Jane Above Story

Jane

When Ethan and I arrive back at the penthouse we find Devon and Nina sitting on the sofa while the pups zoom around the living room in front of them. Devon has an arm slung over Nina’s shoulder, which surprises me, but I can’t focus on them because the moment we walk through the four little bodies come hurtling at our legs.

Mommy! Daddy!” The pups cry excitedly.

Parker is the tallest and fastest, so he reaches us first, leaping up into Ethan’s waiting arms while I intercept Riley, whose small size lets her bound weightlessly across the room. “Hello my love puddles.” I greet them happily, kneeling so I can also hug Ryder, while Ethan effortlessly scoops up Paisley, even though his arms are already full with her brother.

“What have you been up to? Were you good for Devon and Nina?” I ask, marvelling at Ethan’s strength despite his recent recovery.

“We were sooo good.” Riley confirms. “Nina was sad so we cuddled her.”

“And then Devon told us we could get ice cream if we promised not to eavesdrop.” Parker adds, and I notice some chocolate stains around his mouth.

“So we played games in our rooms and then we went and gots the biggest sundae in the whole world, Mommy.” Paisley continues, squirming free of her father’s hold so she can come kiss me hello.

She yawns wide as she snuggles up against me, and I brush my lips over her soft cheek. Suddenly it’s very clear why they were so energetic when we walked in I know a sugar high when I see one, and I also realize my babies are about to crash. In truth, I’m fairly exhausted myself -between growing my baby, running with Ethan and surviving the onslaught of his lust, I could easily collapse where I stand.

“Well it sounds as if you’ve had quite the afternoon.” Ethan observes with a tight smile, and I know his thoughts are lingering on Riley’s comment about Nina. I follow his gaze to the pair on the couch, seeing that Nina’s cheeks are flushed with slight color. I realize they need time alone to talk, so I suggest something we all need.

“Yes, and it’s almost naptime.” I announce, finally able to get my hands on Parker as the pups rotate through our arms. “So why don’t you thank Devon for filling you with sugar and then we can go lie down in your fort.”

withs us

thought I might.” I reply, ruffling his hair. “Your Daddy chased me around

questions slyly, poking my foot with her little paw.

How bout this?”

around my feet, coming up with more and more new items and textures to test against my toes and heels. It’s pure silliness, and quickly falls apart when they find a feather to tickle me with – still, it got them to me lie down. I’m convinced the promise of my company is the only thing that persuaded my hyper pups to actually take a nap, and soon they’re fast asleep around me. I nod off quickly as well, and when I wake

the door behind me. I’m still groggy, and want nothing “more than to go crawl in Ethan’s lap, but when I find him he’s standing at the counter with an odd expression on his handsome face. I stop when I see tears in Nina’s eyes, unsure of whether I should retreat. However when Ethan sees me, he ushers me closer with a wave. “Jane, Nina has something she’d

to expect, let alone what to do or say.

to face me, a strange sort of resignation on her features. “I owe you an apology.” She says, shocking me

stammer, glancing at Ethan, who offers

the future that I thought I wanted.” Nina’s lashes fall shut, regret heavy on her tongue. “I’m coming to realize that I was wrong about a lot of things, but

but there’s no denying the pain on her lovely features. I also don’t miss the way she says “the future I thought I wanted.” I know better than anyone what it’s like to move through life in one direction, only to have my path suddenly be taken away

to pull Nina into my embrace. She gasps in surprise, and it takes a moment for her to return my embrace but once she does, she squeezes her arms around me as tightly as I’m

I both chuckle, and I simply squeeze her tighter. “I’m sorry.” I murmur gently.”If anything good comes out of all this then maybe it

her voice slightly muffled by my hair. I look up at

focused on the woman in front of me, too preoccupied with wondering what this means for my

can be friends one day… even

swipes tears from her eyes. Footsteps sound behind me, and I tum to see Devon leaning in the doorway. He looks past me to Nina, tenderness filling

She closes the distance between them and rests her small palm in his, and together they retreat from the penthouse, promising to be

with more than a little confusion, but then Ethan is there, pulling me close. “I feel

ways.” He answers with a shrug, dropping