Page 43 of Monstrosity

The women efficiently herd children toward various bathrooms while the men clear tables and start moving toward the room they holdkirkjain—their meeting room.

Rio stops me before I can follow the exodus of women and children. "You good?"

"I'm good," I assure him, reaching up to straighten his collar unnecessarily. "Go do what you need to do."

He glances around, then pulls me into a quick, hard kiss. "I love you."

"Love you too. Be safe."

"I'm just going to a meeting, baby."

"Yeah, where you guys plan God knows what," I point out. "My request stands."

He grins, that rare full smile that transforms his face. "Yes, ma'am."

The next hour is devoted to baths and pajamas.

Each one of the rooms upstairs have an en-suite bathroom and we all go to each member’s room.

For example, I’m with the girls in Rio’s room, where Vail goes to Vanir’s with their kids.

Magnolia shows me where they keep extra towels, bubble bath, and the collection of rubber ducks that seem to multiply every time someone looks away.

"You're handling this well," she observes as we wrestle Cali into pajamas.

The five-year-old has decided she's a mermaid and doesn't need clothes.

"Even I need pajamas even if I'm a mermaid," I tell Cali firmly. "Mermaids get cold on land."

"That's true," Cali concedes after a moment of thought. "Ariel needed a dress when she got legs."

"Exactly." I manage to get her into her favorite unicorn pajamas while she's distracted by the logic.

"Not everyone adjusts this quickly," Magnolia continues once Cali runs off to find Florencia. "Some women can't handle the reality of club life when it hits."

"I've had years to see how this world works," I reply, gathering wet towels. "And honestly? The love I see here, the loyalty, the way everyone protects each other... it outweighs the danger."

"That's the right attitude." She pats my shoulder. "Come on, let's get these monkeys settled for movie night."

The media room is set up with blankets and pillows everywhere, creating a giant nest on the floor.

Someone's made popcorn, and juice boxes are distributed with the seriousness of a communion ritual.

The kids pile in, my girls naturally gravitating toward some of the other children they know.

"What are we watching?" Florencia asks, claiming a spot between two older girls who immediately make room for her.

"Moana!" someone calls out.

"We watched that last time," another voice protests. "Let's watch Coco!"

A debate ensues that would rival any UN negotiation.

Finally, Starla makes an executive decision. "Finding Nemo. No arguments."

"But we've seen it amilliontimes," Elfe protests from her spot on one of the couches, beer in hand.

"Then make it a million and one," her mother retorts. "Or you can go to bed early."