Page 204 of Beneath the Blue Moon

Tell her to go away.

EJ and Luke.I’m touched, but right now I need to deal withHelena.“Shh!”

Ethan moves forward and helps me into the couch.He placeshis hand on my belly, but they’ve gone quiet.

“What is it?”he asks.

“They want to know who the mean lady is.”

We both turn to Helena, and I know Ethan is about to ask herto leave.

“What does she mean?They who?”Helena asks.

That’s right; we haven’t told anyone about being able toread the babies’ minds.I turn to Helena, summoning every ounce of dominanceI’ve managed to learn from Ethan, adding a little of my own.

“My children.I can read their minds, and they want me tosend you away.”

“Ethan, do you really believe—”

“I can read their minds, too.”He cuts her off.

She stares back in shock and confusion.I look up at Ethanand motion toward her.

“Show her.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

He clenches his jaw and beckons her forward, taking her handand placing his free one on my belly.He can extend his mind-reading ability toothers through touch, so she will be able to hear everything we hear.

“Children, roll call.”

They begin to move around restlessly because, for somereason, they love to do this.Ethan does it with them almost every day.

Ethan Matthew McKenzie Jr!

Luke Victor McKenzie!

Kyle Bryan McKenzie!”

Katherine Fiona McKenzie!

Petrified, Helena tugs her hand from Ethan’s grip.She takesa few steps back, gawking at me like she’s seen a ghost.Without a word, shefalls to her knees, weeping.Nowthat, I didn’t expect.

“I’m sorry.I’m so sorry.I was wrong.”

I look down at her, and my heart softens just a little.ThisHelena seems far removed from the one I know.I know what it’s like to lose achild.She lost Kyle, and Ethan has no contact with her at all, so it’s likehe’s gone, too.I also know what it’s like to lose a mother.They may not havebeen close, but it can’t be as easy as he makes it seem.I don’t see myselfever being close to her, but the least I can do is be civil… and Ethan, too.Helooks over at me in disbelief as he reads my mind.

Surely you don’t expect me to—

Fix it, Ethan.I’m going back upstairs.

I take one last look at her, sobbing on the floor.All her regalityhas disappeared.Now she just looks pathetic.

“Get up, Helena.I can’t promise anything but… I’ll try.”

She raises her head, tears glistening in her eyes.Behindthem, I see hope.