Page 46 of Briggs (Paranormal Council Enforcers #16)

“Yes,” Todd said. He was now standing beside me, and when he reached for Willow, I stopped him.

“Go sit on the bed and get comfortable. I’ll bring her to you,” I said with a smile on my face. Todd looked at me like he wanted to say something, so I just leaned in and kissed him on the forehead quickly. “It’s all right. Once you’re situated, I’ll bring her to you.”

Todd hurried to the bed, and after moving the pillows, he climbed on and sat and waited. I was about to pull the bottle from Wrenley’s mouth when John was suddenly there. “I’ll hold it while you take her to him.”

“Thank you,” I whispered. John took over holding Wrenley’s bottle while I carefully picked up Willow and took her to Todd.

“Which one is this?” he asked. “You didn’t put them back in anything color coded.”

“I haven’t had a whole lot of time,” I said. “This is Willow. I noticed there were anklets on them when I was changing them. I’m thinking it was Dr. King’s doing.” I watched as Todd found the little bracelet on Willow’s ankle and smiled.

“That was so sweet of him. I always thought he couldn’t stand me and I was just an irritation that caused him more work, but he couldn’t get rid of me because the council wouldn’t let him,” Todd said absently.

I reached out and touched Willow’s head before I went back and rescued John. I really liked the young alpha, but he looked like he was overwhelmed a bit. “Thanks, John,” I whispered.

“I don’t think I’m ready to feed them or anything. What if one of them chokes or something? I wouldn’t know what to do.”

I continued to smile. “It’s all right. I appreciate all of the help you’ve given me this morning. Did you want to go back to sleep? It’s still incredibly early.”

John glanced over at Todd, who was talking quietly to Willow. “I think that might be best. Can I see them again later?”

“Why couldn’t you?” I asked as I picked up Wrenley.

“Okay, then. I’ll try to go back to sleep,” John said. He left without another sound, and I managed to think to grab a pair of burp cloths before I joined Todd on the bed.

“I wish I was that graceful,” Todd said as I joined him.

“What do you mean? You’re graceful.”

Todd sighed and leaned his head back against the headboard before he looked my way. “I feel like there’s a medium-sized rock in my stomach still. I can walk, but I thought I’d not feel pregnant anymore. I guess I was wrong.”

I made a mental note to message Dr. King in a bit about that.

I was sure it was absolutely normal, but I wanted to make sure.

“You gave birth four hours ago. You’re not going to bounce back instantly, sweetheart.

It’s normal to feel like you do.” I glanced down at Wrenley, who had slowed her sucking considerably.

I knew that human newborns didn’t eat much the first few days, but we had shifter babies, two adorable little cheetahs that were just as perfect as their omega daddy.

“You make beautiful babies, Todd,” I told him.

Willow was apparently finished with her bottle, and Todd set the bottle between his legs and grabbed a burp cloth before he moved our daughter to his shoulder and started gently rubbing and patting her back.

I wasn’t surprised to hear a tiny burp that was quickly followed by a louder one.

Not with the way she had been crying when I’d first returned to the bedroom.

“You know, they’re part you too. I’d say we make beautiful babies together.”

“Fair enough. But you did all the hard work.” The pregnancy had been difficult on Todd.

He’d had to deal with a lot of extra emotions because of his past trauma.

Did I regret our daughters? No. But I absolutely didn’t wish for Todd to have to go through what he did with his hormones.

His had been “extra,” and although we’d been able to help, I’d seen how much my precious mate had suffered.

“Do you want to talk about anything?” I asked.

Todd sighed again and looked at me. “I don’t know what happened. It wasn’t uncommon for me to wake up shifted before. That’s why John and Tracy weren’t living with me. That and I really don’t have my life together.”

I tilted my head a little, contemplating.

“I’d say you’re doing okay. You have a mate, I’m pretty sure you love me, and I know I love you.

” Todd smiled. “It’s okay that you shifted.

It wasn’t the best timing, but you’re back in the form that is helpful when it comes to feeding our twins.

You’ve been working on things. You’re learning so much when it comes to computers and programs,” I told him.

We’d been working together in the evenings.

It was something that was natural for me, but I had a computer programming degree.

Todd struggled, but we’d discovered it was more that he simply couldn’t read everything.

We were going to get him some tutoring to fill in what he’d missed.

And he’d started some online courses, and I knew he was doing well with those.

He’d most likely take some time off for a month or two, but he knew I would support him working on it as much as he felt comfortable with.

“I don’t know what happened,” Todd said, pulling me from my thoughts. “I felt my cheetah right before I fell asleep. He was awake and stretching, but I didn’t think I’d wake up in that form. I’m sorry I let you down. You needed my help, and I didn’t give it.”

I shook my head. Wrenley was finished with her bottle, and I did as Todd had and placed it between my legs before moving her to my shoulder.

“You didn’t let me down,” I told him. “You shifted, you helped, and now you’re helping me take care of our daughters.

It was an eventful night, and I’m sure this morning isn’t going to be our most disorganized. ”

Todd sighed, and when he looked at me, his eyes were watery. He wiped them with his free hand before closing them. “I feel like I let you down though.”

“Then we need to figure out how to make you feel differently. I handled it, and you shifted and helped when I needed you to. Don’t worry about it. Unless you feel like this is something you need to talk to Dr. Swift about. If so, we can get him up here to have a session with you.”

Todd looked thoughtful for a moment before he shook his head. “I want to see him, but I don’t think he needs to rush up here. Waiting for our next scheduled appointment should be fine. Unless I keep shifting, then maybe? I’m not sure.”

“Then we’ll wait for your next appointment,” I said.

I bent my head down and kissed Wrenley’s head.

What little bit of hair she had was light colored, and I wondered if they would end up my hair color or Todd’s.

They both had blue eyes, but that wasn’t surprising since Todd and I both had blue eyes.

“I love you,” Todd said.

I looked over at my mate and smiled. “I know you do.”

“I just felt like I needed to tell you. You’ve been so amazing, and I know I wouldn’t be anywhere near where I am without you.

I certainly wouldn’t have our beautiful little girls.

” Todd kissed Willow’s head before he sighed and snuggled with her.

I understood that feeling completely. We each had a tiny little mini us in our arms, and they were healthy, and Todd was doing well after the delivery. What more could we possibly ask for?