Page 221 of The Broken Aztec Princesses

Chris kissed my temple gratefully and took the box from my hands. We set it on the sink while Bells was going nuts with the hammer in the bedroom. Inside the box was a book. There was no name or title on the binding, and as soon as we opened it, Chris closed it back.

“Nope. I’ve seen the entire Mummy franchise. We can give it to Gamma Zi or Alpha Helios, but we’re not reading from it.”

I giggled at his words but also agreed. I, too, watched enough horror movies to know not to read something I didn’t understand, and those words on the paper were definitely not English or Spanish.

Bells went to sleep by herself that night. I was hesitant, but when she showered and ate a full dinner, I figured the “therapy”session, as Chris called it, was just what she needed. Cory didn’t call me that night, either, which told me he finally had a satisfactory conversation with his twin.

I woke up in the morning to my alarm, and I groaned. I just wanted to sleep some more. It was the first time I got a full night of sleep, and I wanted to enjoy it. After tomorrow, we would have two days of nothing but driving.

“It’s time to get you fed, Little Warrior. You and our little one,” Chris tried to get me out of bed.

“Half an hour,” I grumbled.

“Don’t people usually ask for five minutes?”

“I’m not dumb. I can’t go back to sleep in five minutes,” I countered, making him chuckle at my shenanigans.

“Come on, let’s get you up and ready, before I tickle you.”

“You wouldn’t dare.” I opened one eye and glared at him.

He lifted his hands, letting me know he was more than ready to come through with his threat.

“You used to be nice.” I pouted and sat up.

He pulled me into his arms and kissed my temple.

“I’ve never been called nice, Violet.”

“That’s not true. You’re very nice,” I assured him, then so he knew I was still annoyed, added, “Usually.”

“What did the janitor say when he jumped out of the closet?” he asked.

I snuggled closer to him, my annoyance disappearing.

“What?” I asked, already smiling in preparation for the punch line.

“Supplies!” Chris shouted and started tickling me.

“Ahh! No fair! Stop!” I laughed, twisting, trying to get away from him, but it was futile. My warrior was merciless. “Mercy! Mercy! I’m going to pee my pants!” I screamed through the laughter.

Chris laughed and stopped, rolling us over until I was sitting on top of him. “Will you choose me today, Little Warrior?”

“After that?” I asked, faking mock outrage, then I smiled and leaned down to kiss him. “Of course I do.”

“Then, let’s go make breakfast,” he replied.

“Ugh, fine. But, I want eggs over easy today.”

“Nope. Has to be well cooked.” He shook his head.

“But—”

“It’s only for a few months, Violet.”

“Then, I better get extra bacon,” I grumbled, laying my head on his chest.

“That I can do,” he said, standing with me still on top of him, and carrying me to the bathroom. He kissed my cheek and went to grab fresh clothes, while I brushed my hair. He came back in just as I finished brushing my teeth. I changed while he got himself ready, and then I let him drag me down to the kitchen.

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