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 futurein 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 hadplenty 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 forwardto having my body back.
