Page 87 of Claiming Charlotte

It was a long road, but after a few surgeries and a few disappointments, the twins came with our second round of IVF. They were both born healthy at six pounds, a boy and a girl.

Gianna was a bit airy like Charlotte in the best way, which explained why she tripped three times while running to me.

Casey was the wilder of the two and already he was a handful.? I lost count over how many times Lottie or I were called into the preschool for hitting someone or being a menace, but him getting in trouble was bullshit, my kids were perfect, so I told the teacher to fuck off and they were kicked out. Whatever. I never told Charlotte why I wanted to name him Casey, but it was my small sign of respect for her father. A thanks for allowing me to love his daughter, even with the mistakes I had made. When he was older I would teach him all the things I wasn’t.

Lastly, Gracelynn or Gracie was our happy accident. She was a happy baby and opted to get more food in her hair than in her mouth. Already screaming when she didn’t get her own way, like the day she took my wallet off the table and cried until I gave it back. Out of all the toys she had. She was the only one of the three that had made me vomit on more than one occasion. If anyone asked me, I would say I didn’t have a favorite, if you asked me in private; I would tell you a story about how this little girl had me wrapped around her finger from the first time I held her.

And of course, after much persuasion, Charlotte brought it upon herself to surprise me with a corgi named Remi. I loved animals, but I knew this dog spited me, fucker would look right at me, staring as he pissed on the floor. Life was good, and I would do anything to keep it that way.

Lottie walked into the kitchen with a puzzled look, before moving her eyes over to the scared girl behind me.

“There was an issue at the hospital, and she needed a safe place to stay,” I said putting the kids down.

She didn't ask any questions, just moved to the stove where dinner was being cooked. While she still ran the organization, she opted to raise the kids and paint. I made sure she understood I supported whatever she wanted to do with her life, and if she wanted to finish her psychology degree, we would make it work. But she declined. There was nothing better than worshiping her pouch and her stretch marks. Fuck, I go crazy for it; she can tend to be a bit insecure about it, but I would always reassure her of how beautiful she was and remind her that those tiger stripes brought our children into this world.

“Well, there's plenty to go around; why don’t you show her to the guest room and shower. You smell like shit, Rowan.” She giggled.

“Hey, I just worked twelve hours, woman.”

She walked over and gave me a kiss, and I laughed.

After everyone had settled down, I joined Lottie on the couch draping her legs over mine, rubbing her thighs softly.

“So, what are we going to do about them?” I sighed, running my hand through my hair.

“I’ve called Thomas and Arthur, Thomas is willing to take her in, if that's what she wants. Are you ready to make your appearance? Everyone will know you’re alive, including Joshua.”

“Well, Thomas kind of already knows” I whispered, kissing her hand. “And I have no doubt in my mind that Joshua knows, he hasn't bothered us; maybe he’s just as tired as you are.”

“You didn’t see the look on his face that day Rowan. I'll call the meeting.” She sighed. “Then, I'll need to set up some interviews.”

“For what?” I asked furrowing my eyebrows.

“A bodyguard, Rowan, you’re whole-body cracks when you get out of bed in the morning.” She chuckled.

A breathy chuckle left my lips as my hand slithered around her neck, and I hovered over her. “You think you’re funny.”

“Do you think we have enough time?” She asked flirtatiously, sucking her lip between her teeth.

I narrowed my eyes teasingly. “Gracie shouldn't wake up for a couple hours. I think I can make it happen. Unless my cracking body gets in the way.”

“When your balls touch the toilet water, then I’ll start to worry. Let me go put the cups in the sink, and I’ll meet you upstairs.”

She wasn’t in the kitchen for a moment when a scream sounded, and the cups crashed to the floor. I jumped from the couch running into the kitchen when I saw my kids who were supposed to be in bed, and Lottie laughing uncontrollably.

They both wore white masks that looked oddly familiar, and I raised it over Casey’s head letting it rest on top of his waves.

I knelt laughing. “Where did you two find these?”

“In your room, Dad.” Casey huffed.

“No! I found them, so finders’ keepers.” Gianna countered.

“There’s two, so we each have one, you dumb shit,” he replied back with a laugh.

“Casey, we don’t call people names.” Lottie scolded.

“Dad calls you names all the time mommy, and you don’t yell at him.”

---