Page 116 of The Married Alpha And His Arrow: Vol 2

She told me, “I was on a mission during your baby shower, but I got you a present. I just couldn’t come to your shower. I didn’t want you to think I was avoiding it.” She set it down and abruptly turned towards the stairs.

No way. She flashed upstairs with me behind her. Noel was halfway down the stairs himself. I smiled at them while Edgar’s jaw dropped. Charlotte jumped into Noel’s arms. Noel said, “Hi, I’m Noel.” She pulled back, “Hi. I’m Lexi’s cousin, Charlotte.” Noel’s eyes shot to mine.

I assured him, “Cousin on my dad’s side of the family. She’s not your cousin.” Charlotte looked back at me, “Huh?” Noel said, “Apparently I’m Lexi’s Aunt Lizzy’s son.” Charlotte pulled back, “Shut the hell up! Really? Damn.” Noel nodded.

Edgar nervously asked, “You’re Jordan Scott’s daughter, aren’t you?” Charlotte nodded. Edgar sighed, “Oh boy….” Noel frowned asking, “Dad?” Edgar explained, “Jordan, rightfully so, has no love for me.” He stepped forward and went to take Charlotte’s hand. He said, “I’m Edgar Calvert.”

Charlotte smiled softened, “I see. Well, you and my dad don’t have to get along. You and me, we can start fresh. I’m a big believer in giving people chances. I don’t think we should be defined by our biggest mistakes. Goddess knows I don’t want to be defined by mine.”

Noel touched her cheek tenderly, “You’re amazing.” She smiled, “I am pretty freaking great. I turned eighteen right before all of us met Lexi.” I didn't know that. I said, “Speaking of, I need like a cousin's birthday calendar.” Charlotte laughed, “That’s fair there’s a lot of us.”

Charlotte asked Noel coyly, “Wanna go back to your place or mine?” Noel said, “I…. I’m not ready to meet my mom’s family. I don’t know if I will ever be. I don’t know much, but I know they hurt Lexi and Heath. Lexi and Heath, well I didn’t know we were actually family, but they’ve always been family to me.”

Charlotte said, “Fair enough. Only the kids are worth knowing in my humble opinion. That’s true about some of my own family too. Some of the adults are ok. They are ALL quite cranky right now as it is.” I snorted.

Noel questioned, “Why?” Charlotte turned beat red and ducked her head. I offered, “Haley was upset because I was upset.” Edgar snorted, “What charm did she put on them? The ones she pulled on Noah after he found his string was Sally were something.”

I didn’t know she’d done anything to him. I answered, “They can’t perform sexually. No matter what they do or how hard they try. The women have toys that don’t let them orgasm, but they are compelled to keep trying to use.”

Noel threw his head back and laughed. Edgar reflexively covered himself but didn’t look shocked. Noel gathered himself and asked, “Until when?” I winked answering, “Until the twins are a month old.” Noel’s jaw dropped.

He reverently stated, “Damn. She’s definitely something.” I laughed, “That she is.” Charlotte teased, “So your place?” Noel frowned and looked at his dad. He asked, “Is our place ok?” Edgar said, “I’m not sure if it’s been cleaned after I was stabbed and attacked.”

Noel yelled, “YOU WERE WHAT?! Stabbed? When did that happen? Who the hell stabbed you?” Charlotte put her arms around Noel trying to calm him down. Edgar sighed, “I was stabbed last night after your mom left to meet Lexi.”

Noel gritted out, “By whom?” Edgar said, “Gerald.” Noel ranted, “I’ve always hated that guy! He’s such a creep! How can a healer be an attempted murderer! You’ve never done anything but be nice to him!” Edgar sighed, “He tried to kill me because Gerald is Hanson, son.”

Noel went stiff as a board. He said, “You can’t be serious.” Edgar admitted, “I wish I wasn’t.” I texted Heath asking if the Calvert’s house was clean. He texted back saying he’d asked Haley to come by and conjure them a new house. He didn’t want them to have to deal with the memories in their old home. It was a good thought.

I told them, “Heath had Haley come by the Shroud. You have a new house. Heath will be waiting by the entrance with the keys.” Edgar and Noel both looked relieved. Charlotte commented, “Older cousin with the save. That’s on point.” I laughed and she gave me a hug.

I told her, “He’s a good one.” Charlotte said, “I can sense that. I don’t think the War Goddess would give me a bad one. It does seem she wants our family and your mom’s connected for some reason.” I agreed, “It certainly looks that way.” Noel gave me a hug, then Edgar. They flashed out the door.

I called Heath and when he answered I said, “Noel, Edgar and Noel’s string are heading your way.” Heath laughed, “Another wolf?” I chuckled, “It’s not a wolf.” Heath happily asked, “Did I get a fairy?” I laughed, “If you get a fairy, it will be through James.”

Heath snorted, “A fairy and James together? No, the man needs someone to calm him down, not rile him up.” I conceded, “Good point.” Heath asked, “So who is Noel’s string?” I teased, “Wait for it….” I heard Heath say, “No fucking way.” I squealed, “YES WAY!”

Heath warned, “You know Uncle Jordan might just lose it.” I said, “She’s his little girl, he will get over it and live.” Heath didn’t sound convinced, “I’m sure he will eventually. Gotta go.” I quickly asked, “Hey, are you ok? After going through Hanson’s, who was also Gerald, things?” Heath sighed, “It’s some disturbing stuff. I’ll talk to you about that later.” I agreed, “Ok.” He hung up.

The week flew by. Heath was so busy we’d barely touched base. I had to put all that aside today because I knew my best friend would be a nervous wreck. It was insemination day. I walked into the hospital. I saw several people sigh in relief.

I laughed asking, “Where is he?” One nurse jumped up, “I’ll take you TeleTed.” We were walking through halls to an elevator. Once the doors closed, she told me, “He’s very nervous, Luna.” I said, “I’d imagine he is. He gets very mother hen about things when he’s nervous. Also, please call me Lexi.” She nodded, “Yes Luna Lexi.” I laughed, “Just Lexi will do.” She nodded.

The second we got off the elevator I heard Ted yell that Joanie needed a different pillow. The nurse sighed. I assured her, “I’ll find him.” She scampered back into the elevator as if the floor were hot lava. I used my speed and found Ted.

I looked around the room and noted I should’ve got here sooner. Matt looked up and his eyes lit up. Joanie was trying not to laugh. Matt said, “Thank the goddess. My prayers have been answered. Ted, look who's here.” Ted whirled, “Is it someone with Joanie’s new pillow? This one is awful! There’s no support whatsoever!”

I asked, “Ted, when did you paint this hospital room blue?” Ted whirled around, “Lexi?” He flashed over to me. He hugged me, “You remembered.” I pulled back and slapped his chest, “Of course I remembered. The room is blue.”

Ted said, “I asked the day Joanie agreed to our timetable what room would be hers prior to the procedure. It was white and sterile looking. Blue is a calm color.” I teased, “Not for you evidently. Come on sit down. Is that orange juice?” Joanie answered, “Yes, it is.” She took another sip.

Ted said, “Citrus fruits are great for boosting fertility.” I reminded him, “So are Fairy Hackura Princesses who agreed to help this take.” Ted sighed and sat down. Matt and Joanie were visibly relieved by that action. I said, “Ted, your little one will be on the way soon.”

Ted admitted, “I know. It’s just that all I can do is make everything perfect for Joanie here. She’s giving us this great gift, and everything NEEDS to be perfect for her.” I smiled, “She’s getting your little nugget too. I’m sure Joanie thinks the room color is very nice.”

Joanie agreed, “It is better than sterile white.” Ted sheepishly admitted, “It’s good you think that. The procedure room is also blue.” I laughed, “I would expect no less.” Ted said, “I can’t believe I didn’t check the pillows. My first official Beta Male decree is going to be this hospital gets better pillows. I mean come on; you have to admit that they literally have no fluff. Would it kill them to get some support? If you’re in the hospital, they could at least give you a better pillow.”

I thought about the one I’d been on and had to agree, “They were pretty awful. No support whatsoever.” Ted shouted, “RIGHT? See Matt, they are bad!” Joanie laughed, “I don’t need a new one right now, but he’s right. These suck.”

---