Page 92 of Collect the Pieces

Ivy’s quieter, her body smaller but solid, her serious blue eyes studying me like she’s trying to decide if I’m worthy.

“I’m not sure she likes me,” I whisper.

“Nah, she’s suspicious of everyone at first,” Teller says. “Just like her mom.”

“True,” Charlotte laughs. “Do you want kids, Margot?”

I tear my gaze away from Ivy and search for Jigsaw.

Good Lord, we haven’t been dating long enough to field that kind of question. I find him standing just outside the circle around me, his eyes round with…terror? Whatever it is, it doesn’t look like the expression of a man eager to leave a genetic legacy behind.

Ivy sighs softly, her tiny body going limp against my chest. As if she’s decided I’m a safe place to take a snooze. I graze my knuckle against her peachy-soft cheek.

“I haven’t given it a lot of thought. Someday. Yes,” I whisper. Heat burns my eyes, and I tilt my head, focusing on Ivy.

Do I want kids?Babies are cute, sure. But they only stay babies for a little while. Would I want to raise kids in the same house I grew up in? With all the weirdness and death surrounding them, the way it’s surrounded me my whole life.

No.

The thought—the absolute conviction behind it—steals my breath.

No.

Even before I met Jigsaw, when I pictured a theoretical husband, our future children, I never once imagined us living in that house.

What would I do? Buy a house nearby? Commute to work?

I’ve never lived anywhere else.

Dad bought the property next door and moved himself out. But that was after I finished school, and he knew at least one Cedarwood would be in the home.

Would he be devastated if I left?

“See, she trusts you,” Charlotte says gently.

“They’re so adorable,” I whisper. “How do you get anything done? I’d be busy staring at them all day.”

“We don’t,” Teller says. “They never seem to want to sleep at the same time.”

“Twins are a two-person job,” Charlotte says. “I don’t know how anyone handles triplets or more.”

“Hush, woman,” Teller scolds with a teasing lilt in his voice. “Don’t jinx us.”

Charlotte laughs. “I’m happy and blessed we have our two. I’mnotready for any more.” She reaches up and squeezes Hope’s hand. “You and Rock have been lifesavers, though. Everyone’s been amazing but…”

Hope leans down and hugs Charlotte.

Ivy stirs, her delicate features tightening. She blinks, then her mouth works like she’s preparing for a full-blown scream.

Charlotte immediately leans forward. “I can take her, Margot.”

I carefully transfer Ivy back to her, and the baby instantly settles.

My lips form a weak smile. “Thanks.”

“No, thankyou.” Charlotte rolls her shoulders back. “Feels like I’ve been holding a baby non-stop some days.” She flicks an amused glance at Teller. “We trade off when we need to.”

“You’re doing all the hard stuff,” he says in a low voice.

---