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“You and Seb are very similar, you know,” she says thoughtfully. I narrow my eyes. “There’s so much hidden under your layers.”
“You’ll find we’re all very similar,” I counter before smirking. “Until you see us naked, that is. There’s three mediocre cocks, and one so?—”
“Do not talk of your appendage when you’re holding the baby,” Maia says, shaking her head at me. There’s no true heat to her words, and she even gives me a small smile. “But I think that I could stand to be a little less… uptight when it comes to you all and Phoebe.”
“I’d agree.” I pat the small infant on the back gently, like her mama was doing just before, and she lets out a very large burp in my ear. Definitely has her mother’s manners. “Uptight isn’t a good look on you.”
“It’s not?”
“Don’t go fishing for compliments. Not when you don’t like the way I compliment you.”
Maia lets out a laugh. “Compliments of the mind are so much better than compliments of the body.”
“But when one’s body is as perfect as yours, surely, some leeway must be given.”
“You’re a sneak, and I’m not putting up with it,” Maia says, wagging her finger my way.
“No?” I lean forward, still holding onto Phoebe, and tuck her hair behind her ear, cradling her cheek in the palm of my hand. “That’s what you say, but I get the feeling this is just the start of our next chapter.”
“Maybe,” Maia says softly. “I promised I’d try and let you in when it comes to Phoebe, no matter how hard it is and how much it goes against my instincts. I won’t go back on that unless you make me.”
“We won’t give up until she gives us everything,” Fluffy says.
“We won’t do anything to break this trust you’ve given us,” I say softly. She nods. “And, Maia? You doubt your ability to parent, but you’re one of the strongest women I know. That might not be worth much, since I don’t know many women very well, but you’re magnificent. The intrinsic way you protect Phoebe, your willingness to explore the supernatural despite knowing nothing about it… your stubbornness, and your empathy, and your bravery are things I admire about you.”
She blinks back tears and gives me a hesitant smile. “If it weren’t for the fact that you insulted her father—repeatedly—I think you’ve started Phoebe’s birthday out in one of the best ways.”
“You love him.”
“I do,” she murmurs before shrugging. “I’m so angry at him, so, so angry, and I don’t mean to hurt you… but I do love him, yes.”
I figured as much, and honestly, if he wasn’t already our enemy, this would solidify Ryan as top of the list. He’s already taken one Wolfe from me—he won’t take away another.
“We might not be the most demanding of the Wolfes,” I reply. “But we are the most patient. We can wait out her grief.”
“And then teach her how to truly love,” Fluffy finishes.
13
MAIA
“What do you need, little butterfly?” Alex asks, putting his pen down to give me his full attention. I’m hesitantly hovering in the doorway of his home office, and I can see how busy he is. I hate to interrupt, and I hate even more feeling like I need to ask permission for something.
Alas, this is the position I’m in.
“Um, it’s… I was meant to have an appointment on Monday, but they’ve moved it up to tomorrow,” I say, crossing my arms in front of my chest. His eyes drop down, and his eyebrows raise, likely at realising Phoebe’s not with me. “It’s our last appointment with the community midwife, and it’ll take place at my house.”
“Oh. Fuck.” He runs his hands through his hair, leaning back in his seat. It’s a very large office chair, fitting his frame perfectly, but doesn’t seem to have wheels. His desk is a large mahogany with three computer screens on it and lots of paperwork scattered in front. The scene reads stressed, the man very overwhelmed, and I hate that I’m interrupting for something I can easily do myself.
I have no idea what the paperwork is, or even what these guys do for work, but it’s clear that Alex is very busy.
He seems to pull himself together and nods. “We’ll make sure that one of us is going to be there with you, even just to sit upstairs. Time?”
“Eleven.” I sigh, looking at the state his office is in. “Do you need to be there?”
“Our presence will be needed if anything goes wrong with Phoebe. She shouldn’t be upset during the appointment, but if she were to shift, we’re going to need to handle that.”
“Fair enough.”
