AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Oh.” I blink. “You don’t have to do that. I’m fine. You guys must be craving your beds.”
“The only thing we’re craving is you,” Kaiden says firmly. “Where you sleep, we sleep, babygirl. We’ve been apart for too many nights. So until we can get a crib that allows Rose to sleep by your side if that’s what you want, we’re all sleeping in here together.”
I’m touched by his thoughtfulness, giving him a soft smile as he goes, leaving Axel and I alone with Rose.
“Are you sad she isn’t yours?” I whisper to him.
He shakes his head. “Never. Like I said, she’s all of ours in all the ways that matter. Same goes for this little one too,” he adds, pulling me against him and sliding his hands round to stroke my belly. “I thought nothing in this world could make me happier than making you mine, but I was so wrong. The joy it brings to me to see you happy with them, to see you with Rose, to build a life and afamilywith you…” he shakes his head and sighs contentedly. “I don’t know how I got so lucky.”
Listening to his heartfelt words, tears well up in my eyes, making Axel smile.
“What?” I ask. He shakes his head but when I press him for an answer, he caves.
“There’s my peony. I always loved it when you cried.”
“You did?” That’s such a weird…Axelthing to say.
“I loved your passion. Loved how it made your eyes even brighter. That day you cried for me…it changed something in me, Odi. No one ever cared enough to cry for me before. Ever since you came back into our lives, you’ve been different. Of course, I understand why, but now it’s like the dam that has been holding those emotions back has finally burst, and you’reyouagain. The girl that I loved and the woman that I married. My soul is complete.”
I rest my head against his chest, relishing the warmth of his embrace. Eventually the others return and join us, but Kaiden’snest bed lies forgotten as we all sit side by side, our hands either touching each other or Rose.
The love we share is immeasurable. The world outside may be filled with chaos and darkness, but within the walls of our home, a sanctuary has been formed – a place where love reigns above all else and can never be broken or beaten.
“Ssshhh!”
My eyes were open long before they crept into Odi’s bedroom, but I stayed put, interested to see how this would pan out.
They’re ballsy, I’ll give them that.
No way would I do what they’re doing; creeping into Odi’s bedroom and risking waking not only Rose, but the mama bear herself.
Brave boys.
Sighing, I roll over and sit up, glaring at them both in the semi-darkness. The blackout curtains in Odi’s room have meant this is the place where Rose sleeps best, but I’m worried that the early morning light streaming in from the open doorway behind the idiots is going to wake them both up.
“Get out,” I hiss, fully prepared to shed blood to protect my wife’s sleep schedule.
The last few days have been tough. Especially trying to navigate the challenges of parenthood together. We’ve been taking turns waking up at night to soothe Rose’s cries as she acclimates to life in a new house, even though Zie’s mum has stayed with us and keeps offering to help us every step of the way. We all want to do this right. We’re all eager to learn.
We’ve been supporting each other through the sleepless nights and the endless nappy changes, between basking in the overwhelming joy of watching our daughter grow.
Odi’s been amazing. But she’s exhausted. And I will kill those assholes where they standright nowif they wake my wife or daughter up.
The idiots attempt to creep back out of the room, but the floorboard creaks. Rose whimpers. We all freeze. I hold my breath.
A second later she settles and I breathe a silent sigh of relief. Swinging my legs out of bed, I stand and grab last night’s boxer shorts from the floor. It’s disgusting, but not as abhorrent as the idea of waking my girls.
My girls.
I like that. It has a ring to it.
I hope the baby in Odi’s belly is a girl too. I want to be surrounded by mini peonies, all as ferocious and as headstrong as their mother. And as kind and as loving too.
I’d never voice this fear to Odi, but I don’t actually want a son. I was cruel and lashed out when I told her that girls were useless. It wasn’t even my voice in my head; it was my father’s. Which is exactly why I don’t want a boy. What if it turns me into him? With girls, with daughters, you have to be softer. Kinder. Gentler.
I hope all of Odi’s children are girls. I hope to keep her pregnant for years, to fill this house so full of joy and laughter that we have to build another wing on it.
But first. Bloodshed.
