Page 48 of Light

Gabriel stopped in the doorway, his gaze moving between his other half, stretched out on the bed, and the tiny form in her arms.

She closed her eyes, humming softly to the infant until his plump lips parted and small noises drifted from him.

The baby in his arms had quieted, but he wasn’t sure what to do with him. Should he take him back to his crib or bring him in? Back. Back seemed like the best option.

“Don't. He’ll only scream for his brother. Bring him to me.”

Gabriel hesitated in the hall, frozen with indecision.

“Bring him before he wakes.”

Her sharp tone cracked like a whip, and he jolted forward, moving into the room. He settled the child into the blankets beside his twin and studied them both.

“They’re perfect,” she agreed, hearing his thoughts.

He looked up, taking in her bright eyes and the dark circles now rimming them. “Adalaide. I didn’t realize…”

She stared at him for one long moment, weighing something before she let out a breath and her head fell back on the pillow, as she closed her eyes once more. “Stay or go. I’m quite tired and will need to be up in a few hours to feed them.”

“I must speak with you. It’s important.”

She laughed mirthlessly. “I have no doubt if it brought you to my door.”

“Adalaide, I’m sorry. Truly. You don’t know what it's like for seraphim. I would have come had I known.”

Her eyelids never cracked as she said, “Tell me your important news so we may both return to our lives.”

He hadn’t thought he’d long for the anger or the bite, but the complete lack of emotion was worse. He moved around the bed, sitting beside her and rested a hand atop hers. Warmth bloomed in his chest, his soul rejoicing at their reunion.

He knew she felt it too, but she gave no outward sign of it. In fact, her breathing had deepened. He leaned closer, inspecting the slow rise and fall of her chest. She was asleep.

Huffing a soft laugh, he slid down beside her, letting his wings drape over the edge of the bed, pressing his body against hers. A deep aching hollowness he hadn’t let himself acknowledge slowly began to recede as their one soul reached out, merging, welcoming him home.

Chapter 32

Gabriel

He hadn’t slept. Seraphim didn't sleep, but he’d settled into a quiet, contented calm, giving himself time to recharge and his soul time to recover from their separation.

Alone with his thoughts, listening to the steady breathing of not one but three other people, he’d given himself time to truly examine his actions. He hadn’t known how long he’d stayed away, but he knew it was a conscious decision, at least on some level, and he wasn’t sure if she would forgive him for it.

Soft snorting sounds were beginning as the blankets were ruffled around. Gabriel sat up, smirking at the miniature human wrestling to be free of the blankets he had wrapped his arm in. He lifted the blanket, freeing the babe just as the other infant punched him in the arm.

“Hey,” he said, giving him a playful punch back.

An ear-splitting wail erupted from the small being and he winced, lifting his hands in a placating gesture. “Sorry, sorry. Shh. shhhhh. Don’t wake your mother.”

“Too late,” she groaned. The words—a repeat of the night before—sent a spear of pain through his chest.

“I’m not awake enough for your feelings this morning. Please make tea.”

Gabriel stood, slinking from the room and the two bawling infants. He ducked through the doorway and into the hall, sighing as he put space between himself and their deafening shrieks.

In the kitchen, he pulled open drawers and cabinets, searching for the items needed to make tea, and he frowned. Thinking back to the last time they’d been in the kitchen brought images of her naked body sitting atop the very countertop he rested his hand against and the feel of her as she moved, her warmth wrapped around him.

Don’t even think about it.

Her thoughts made him wince. I can’t seem to find the tea.

---