Page 22

Sully

Baby steps. Progress was made in baby steps.

None of us thought that our announcement would make a rapid change in Haenvale, so no one was disappointed when there was a lot of back and forth over who would control this land until it was clear the Haenvale Alliance had this all in hand. They wanted outright ownership now that faith in the town was lessened. Playing hardball was Trisha’s forte. Soon, the sale went through and the next set of hoops rose for the trust to jump through.

There were the licenses, the insurance, security. In short, the town didn’t make it easy for the Alliance to get shit done.

Orson was the one to step in. While his trip with Baxter wasn’t the smoothest, they learned a lot about each other and were determined to make their relationship work, especially since I was pregnant and mated to my alpha. I never asked him if Baxter was his mate. That was his secret to tell when he was ready. Not that it mattered, they were committed to each other and very much in love.

Perhaps his parents saw it as a way to elevate their social standing, but they supported him in his crusade to get the park up and running. They also wanted him to claim the Pallas cat omega he was in love with as his mate. They put money and political clout behind the Alliance now Orson’s dad was running for mayor.

The park finally opened mid fall. Stone had returned to take charge of running the place. A perfect job for the gargoyle now he wasn’t working in policing the tear. I was glad he was back to meet my mate before we became parents again. He bonded with Imri and the kids easily, slotting into our lives like he’d always been there.

I’d finished working at Rosie’s at the end of the summer season. The pregnancy made it uncomfortable to be on my feet a lot, even with the adjustments they made for me, like a stool behind the counter to rest on between orders, meaning I had to quit with a couple of months until my due date.

Carrying twins would do that to you, though .

Yeah, two babies. Imri was over the moon about it, and honestly, so was I. We had a lot of work ahead of us, but with my family helping out and our kids at home lending a hand where they could, I knew everything would be fine.

All of the kids were thriving. They didn’t start school until after the summer, and it was a huge adjustment for them. We were just grateful Rowan had his license to drive them. Imri had gotten him a little car from Cress’ dad again, much to the irritation of Cress.

I loved having my independence and realized I missed working less than a week after giving it up. Imri was the one to encourage me to find something I could do that would balance well with family life.

“Come work with me,” Trisha suggested. “Just a day or two in my office a week. You can start your own accountancy firm.”

I was certified, having taken all the tests in college. Supernatural schools were very different from human ones, or at least they appeared to be in the movies and books I’d come across. It’s how I could have two degrees at only twenty-three, I’d had my birthday in September with everyone around me to celebrate it .

Trisha’s office was a relaxed place. She didn’t work there all the time, preferring to meet some clients in Rosie’s, or just work through lunch there herself. I could take the babies to work with me if I wanted, or leave them with their dad, because Imri worked at home improving the inventions Uncle Malik had been working on before he died.

“Sweetheart, you need to focus at work. I’ll take care of the kids,” Imri insisted when I floated the idea of taking the babies to the office with me.

So that’s how I found myself with a tiny office at home and a part time space in downtown Haenvale. I shared the space with Trisha and a couple of other businesses. They all hired me on to do their books, gaining me my first clients after my parents.

Yeah, once they came around, they were fully on board. My mom video called Ellie and Farah at our first scan while Imri just stared at the screen, tears running down his face. We had all the kids there to meet their siblings, taking one of their first visits into Haenvale now that we knew their magic was settled enough.

Their tutor loved them. All three were her prize students. She believed Rowan had a future in teaching magic, if that’s what he wanted to do. He was developing spells under her care, further increasing his control.

Our eldest was going to be published in magic journals! His wards were revolutionary, and he was in great demand.

“I’m not leaving you and Dad,” he swore when the first government summons letter came for him.

“No, but you’re not missing out on this opportunity either,” I told him. “Dad will go with you. I’ve got Sandy and Berry to keep me company for the week, okay?”

“What if you need help?” Rowan’s anxiety was something we were working on. Getting him a therapist, one for all of them, was high on our list.

“Gran and Gramps are only a short drive away.” My parents had chosen what they wanted the kids to call them. “Gaga and Noona are just looking for an excuse to move in for a couple of months.”

Rowan grinned. We’d agreed Imri’s moms could come stay for a while just before the babies arrived and for about a month after. Now that they were retiring, passing their businesses on to Imri’s siblings, they had plenty of free time. As much as we would have liked them to move to Haenvale, they had other grandchildren in New Boston. Besides, it wasn’t that far of a drive.

I had about six weeks before the scheduled c-section for the twins when Rowan and Imri flew to New Washington for discussions with the government about his warding skills. It gave me time to get the nursery the way I wanted and spend some quality time with the younger two. My dad came every day to make sure I wasn’t overdoing it, and to drive the kids to school. My bump was too big to make the drive comfortably everyday.

“Poppa!” I heard Sandy shout when he came into the house. It was finally decorated to our taste. Both Imri and I had similar visions of what our home should look like.

“Poppa?” Berry repeated, obviously looking for me.

“Nursery!” I called back to them. I was sitting in the middle of the floor surrounded by little onesies. They’d all been washed, ready for the little ones to arrive.

Thundering steps came up the stairs. Sandy reached me first, skidding to a halt on the hardwood floor .

“No running in the house,” I reminded him.

“Can Robbie come play in the treehouse and stay for dinner, please?”

“Only if his adult can drop him off and pick him back up again, alright? Let them know I can’t drive just now.”

“Thank you!” Sandy rushed off to make a call.

“Poppa, can I have a friend stay for dinner too?” Berry asked from the doorway. School hadn’t been as easy for her, compared to Sandy, but she had made some friends and was adapting.

“Sure thing. Same rules.” I struggled to get to my feet.

“Here.” Dad took my arm and hoisted me up. “No more sitting on the floor.”

I rubbed my rounded stomach with a sigh. The babies wriggled inside me. Grabbing my dad’s hand, I placed it where I could feel their feet.

“They’re really active right now,” he remarked with a soft smile. I was glad he and my mom were playing an active role in our lives.

“Yep, playing with my bladder, too.” I laughed. Pregnancy was great and all, but I was looking forward to having my body back.

“Probably missing their daddy. You shouldn’t have let Imri go off with Rowan this close to your due date. It’s not good for you to be without his pheromones for so long.”

“It’s barely been three days, Dad. I’m fine.”

“Mom agrees I should stay here until they get back, just in case.”

To be honest, it sounded like a good idea. “Okay, Dad.”

It was just as well my dad came to stay with us. Being apart from Imri began to take its toll on me by the fifth day, leaving Imri with no choice but to return or risk us getting worse. Neither of us wanted me to spend time in the hospital.

He and Rowan told the government they would have to visit Haenvale next time they wanted to talk to our son, because he wasn’t leaving his family vulnerable if he could help it. They needed him more than he needed them. Our eldest was in demand !

I was so grateful they returned quickly. As soon as Imri was home and wrapped around me, I felt worlds better.

“You’re alright,” Imri had soothed that night once everyone was in bed. “Rowan was glad to come home early. He hated New Washington. I don’t think we’ll be visiting New Boston any time soon.”

“Are you sure? I feel like I damaged his chances with the government. A contract with them would set him up for life.”

“Sully, he’s nineteen.” His birthday was in October, and we’d celebrated it by having a small event at Rosie’s. “He’s only just in college and has got a lot to learn about who he is or what he wants in life. The last thing he needs is a big contract dictating what he can do. This way we can delay any big decisions.”

My alpha had been against the trip in the first place. I’d convinced him we owed it to Rowan to at least talk to the government. Maybe I’d put too much pressure on all of us.

“Shh, Sully, it’s fine. He got a lot out of it. You were right to push him to check it out. If we can make it work, he’d never have to worry about money. I just hated to be away from you. So did Rowan.”

“Yeah?”

“Yes. By your side is where I belong.”

Feeling marginally better about needing my alpha and eldest son home early, I fell asleep.

With twins coming, I was told a caesarian was my best choice. One of the twins was sitting in breech position and they couldn’t turn her.

Imri was with me for an appointment because my ankles were swollen and I felt really uncomfortable with over a week to go before the surgery.

“Hmm,” the midwife said thoughtfully. “I’m not liking these numbers, Sullivan.”

“Sully, please.”

“Well, Sully, I think we should get those babies out today if we can.”

“Today?” Next to me, Imri tensed up.

“Yes. You’re showing signs of preeclampsia. It’s important we ensure both yours and the babies’ health by getting them out of there. I need to make a call. Check if there’s room for you to go up now. Do you need to make arrangements?”

I looked at Imri for guidance. “I’ll go call your parents, ask them to look after the kids. Then I’ll call my moms and get them to hit the road a bit sooner than planned.”

“Will that be okay?” I wondered anxiously. Getting to meet the babies sooner was fantastic, but I was scared, too.

“Yeah, it’ll be fine.”

Imri squeezed my hand, then left the room to make his calls. The midwife picked up her phone to call the hospital.

I tuned out, going into my head, so worried about what was about to happen, I jumped in my seat when Imri returned and touched my shoulder.

“Mama said they’ll be on the road in an hour. Your dad is going to take the kids out for dinner, keep their mind off of it until they can come visit. Are you okay? Do we need anything?”

Shaking my head, I answered, “No, the hospital bag is in the car already. Mom said it was best to have it ready well in advance. ”

“Smart.”

“Sully? The hospital can fit you in later this afternoon. They’d like you to head over now for observation, alright?”

“Okay.”

The hospital was clean, bright, and welcoming when we arrived. I was quickly taken through the necessary paperwork and checks. Then it was time to get into my gown to be wheeled into the operating room.

Imri held my hand the entire time I was numbed and cut open. He watched with wonder as the first of our twin girls was pulled free. The sensation was strange, a tugging feeling without any pain. Hearing her petulant cry was worth the long months, the sickness, and discomfort.

I cried when her sister’s cries joined hers. The bed was adjusted so I could see them both get weighed and checked over. Then we’d get to hold them.

“Here you go, Poppa,” the doctor laid Aspen into my arms. Another handed our other daughter, Hazel, to her dad.

“Hello Aspen, I’m your poppa.”

The little baby in my arms rooted around, already looking for her first feed. Hazel began to fuss, too .

My mate handed me Hazel. “Hello Hazel, I’m your poppa.” Her scent was slightly different from Aspen’s. The only difference they had, since they were identical, though I’m sure only me and Imri would be able to tell which one was which.

I fed them while the doctors took care of the rest of the procedure and healed me until it looked like I’d given birth a week ago, not minutes before.

“You’re amazing, Sully,” Imri said with love in his eyes as I fed both girls. “I’m so glad you didn’t give up on us.”

“Me too.”