Chapter 209
After finally showing Ethan and Lorax out the door–a process that required Ethan stealing ‘ste leit
goodbye hug for both me and the baby tasters“-I tank into the couch with a contented sigh, terning this pere moment of entidade. Thour absolutely inseparable, and equally attached to m
Imided to myself, remembering how Ethan had cupped my face before leaving, his thomb gently tracing my las he whispered, Be ** The tenderness in those green gold eyes still took my breath away sometimes. This morning, had spent tax mitivtes with his hand van my betty, quietly to the twins about their “very important mission to mod cande moming too much trouble today, his large hand splayed prote Lars had pied him immediately, pressing his ear against me and gizzling when he felt hi
I ran my hand absently over my rounded belly as I padded to the kitchen. At eight months pregnant,
replaced by a near–constant hunger that had me riding the fridge at all lows. I propped some head in the aster and pulled on the parbage. Erhan had bought yesterday–the man seemed convinced I needed to eat my wright in protein daily.
As the baron sizzled in the pan, filling the apartment with its mouthwatering arma, I found myself kumming indily, for marke
fife in a hospital bed, uncertain if (d mer hold my babies in my arms, flow, here I was, in a sun–filled kitchen, preparing breakfast
performed their morning acrobatics. Sometimes the sheer normality of it all struck me as miraculvert.
The toast popped up just as a particularly enthusiastic kick landed squarely on my ribs. “Easy there, little was, I murmund, sharing my palm against spot. “Save some of that energy for when you’re actually out in the world.”
By the time Zoe texted that she was on her way up, Fd polished off my breakfast and changed into one of the few nothies that will fir black leggings and one of Ethan’s t–shirts that hung comically large on me but at least accommodated my belly. Id given up on style months
Zedd
other knocking, instead using the they werd ghen her for emergencies. She burst through the door with bay sad whithwind energy, tak nedlas rups in hand. Oor look at me and she let out an exaggerated growt
“Aria, I know I’ve said this before, but serionly–training camp? in your condition? the thrust one of the rugs toward me “Der all, hallora
remembered the extra cream and suger
I accepted the coffee with a grateful smile, “What would 1 do without your.
“Probably drink regular coffee and give birth to twins with supernatural caffeine posers, the returned, dropping her beg on the rounder, der eyes traveled over my outfit with a critical squint. “Please tell me you’re not wearing that to the camp.”
I glanced down at my ensemble and shrugged. “What’s wrong with it? It’s comfortable and functional
“You’re the Alpha’s mate, for crying out loud! You can’t show up looking like gre zaided the lost and fond bin: She marched past por toward the bedroves, calling over her shoulder, “You have five minutes to finish that coffee while I find something borderline presentable.”
I laughed, settling onto a barstool, Good luck with that! Nothing fits anymore
Her
muffled voice carried from my closet. “Challenge accepted
True to her word,
merged minutes later triumphantly holding a flowing twic and stretchy pants that somehow managed to look Both combatable I had to admit, her fashion sense was superne to mine pay nm my best days..
“This is why I keep you around,” I said, taking the clothes.
“And here I thought it was for my scintillating operation and unwavering loyalty, de replied dryly. “Hurry up and change. The one we get to ramp, sover I can watch you terrify those corky new recruits whide waddling like a pregnant dock.”
I thonwa sork at her, which the dodged with practired pair,
Dore dressed, we made our way to Zor’s car, my pace considerably slower than it had been six months ago. She offered her arm with rated gallantry
Speaking of which,” Zoe suit as she helped me the passenger seat, “when wartly are you two tying the in
the perfect
waiting until after the twins are born and things settle down a bit
Chapter 209
Zoe made a sound of disappointment as she pulled onto the main road. “That could be months! I need an occasion to wear something other than training grar.” She flashed me a sideways glance. “Speaking of wedding plans… I don’t mean to pry, and tell me to back off if I’m crossing a line, but… are you inviting your father and his family?”
The question didn’t surprise me; I’d been wrestling with it myself. After Ethan arrested Marcus and Bella, my father had fallen into a deep depression. He couldn 1–or wouldn’t–believe that one daughter would try to murder the other. Bella remained in Shadow Fang’s detention facility, and Marcus had been lobbying Ethan for her release, claiming she deserved a second chance. Ethan, to his credit, had firmly refused each time.
“I havent decided yet.” I admitted, watching the scenery blur past the window. “But even if I invite him, I won’t ask him to walk me down the aisle. That banor has been forfeited.”
“Who would you choose instead?” Zoe asked, genuine curiosity in her voice.
I considered for a moment. Probably Lea. He was there for me during those years in the human world when I had no one else. He never asked questions, just offered support when I needed it most.”
“Leo?” Zoe’s laugh filled the car. The poor guy will be heartbroken–escorting his secret crush down the aisle to marry his best friend. Talk about rubbing ult in the wound.”
I jabbed her with my elbow. Stop it. The feelings between me and Leo were never romantic. We’re like siblings.”
say so,” she sing–songed, clearly unconvinced. “But I’ve seen how he looks at you when he thinks no one’s watching.”
I changed the subject, eager to shift attention away from myself. “Enough about my complicated life. You practically dragged me out today saying you needed to talk about something. Something about David, perhaps? I raised an eyebrow, giving her a knowing look.
Zoes cheeks flamed bright pink, the blush spreading down her neck as she gripped the steering wheel so tightly her knuckles turned white. Her eyes widened in panic, darting between me and the road
“I never said- she started, then stopped abruptly. I watched her internal struggle play across her face–her teeth worrying her bottom lip, her breathing quickening slightly. She opened her mouth, closed it, then suddenly blurted out in a rush: “Is it possible to get pregnant from just one night? Just hypothetically speaking.”
