Page 48 of Abundant Moon
Chapter 26
THREE DAYS LATER
Robyn watched the twins nurse, knowing it was the last time. While the idea of walking away from these precious pups should have upset her, it didn’t – just as Jack said. She wasn’t sure how Luna arranged it, but her desire to stay faded steadily over the last few days, replaced by a desire to resume her own life. She felt... what did she feel? Guilt? No. Disappointment? No again. Regret? Still no.
If any one word described her current thinking it might be contentment. Yes, that felt right, along with a strong sense of satisfaction; that of completing an important task. It seemed a strange way to describe offering the intimate use of one’s body for six months, but that’s what she’d done. She could honestly say the majority of the experience was pleasurable. Shelikedbeing spoiled by her temporary mates and bringing the joy of children into William and Jack’s home - especially so late in life.
Lastly, came the realization she’d lived her life primarily for herself up to this point. Becoming a Triad Mate would have never crossed a selfish person’s mind, had it not been for Luna’s intervention, but the experience changed her in ways still being discovered. Increased empathy for one, though she remained sassy at heart. She’d also come to appreciate the interdependence of shifter life and the utter need for her packmates - one of the things which drew her to Gladstone in the first place, unrealized at the time.
All things considered, while William and Jack gained offspring, she learned some important life lessons. The icing on the cake were two beautiful children to enjoy, spoil, and send home to their parents - all without angst. Such a gift only came from Luna, and she determined to send up a word of thanks at the next full moon.
As the faster pup, Marie finished nursing ahead of Kiah. Both were asleep now and she nudged them closer to her body, drawing in their unique scent. It required a concentrated effort, but she sussed out the distinct aroma of their parents, including herself, minus Jack’s True Elder underscent. A casual sniff would tell a stranger the babies belonged to Jack and William, even if they noticed her scent within it. Exactly as it should be.
Naming of the pups had been the subject of much debate, especially after Jack revealed they were a boy and a girl. First, the men agreed that since they did not share the same last name, neither would the children. Second, they declared the boy an Eby, and the girl a Campbell. Subsequent discussion went downhill fast. With the confidence of an attorney, William declared his position.
“It’s obvious. We’ll name them Jack and Robyn.”
Always the most patient, Jack waited while Robyn objected.
“No way! You arenotnaming her after me and that’s final. There are millions of other choices out there – pick one!”
Before William could counter, Jack quietly voiced his own opinion.
“I am flattered, my love, by your desire to name our son after me. However, I prefer to call him Hezekiah, after my mentor.”
Robyn gaped, eyes nearly popping out of her head. William beat her to the punch.
“Jack, we simplycannotgive him the name Hezekiah! It’s at least two thousand years out of date, and other children will tease him. We must choose something else.”
The debate went on for days, causing hurt feelings all around until Robyn sat them down and proposed a compromise.
“William - since your daughter will be a Campbell, why not call her Marie, in honor of your sister?”
William agreed with teary eyes, having never considered the idea. One down, one to go.
“Jack, if we shorten your son’s name to Kiah it still honors your mentor without giving the poor kid a complex.”
Pleased with the unusual name, Jack accepted - settling the children’s first names. As a compromise all around, Marie’s middle name would be Robin and Kiah’s would be Jackson. Lacking a better solution, and eager to put the acrimony aside, the three of them agreed to the naming scheme and moved on.
Robyn chuffed at the memory now, though at the time it caused them a considerable amount of grief. The pups were spared undesirable monikers and the adults all got at least part of what they wanted. Someday, she’d share the story with the kids and they would thank her for intervening.
With one final affectionate lick, Robyn yipped to get her mates’ attention. They were in the living room, in human form, waiting for her to finish the feeding, and hurried in to see what she needed. Robyn stood, leaving the sleeping pups where they were and walked over to the closet – resting a paw near the doorknob. Jack knew what she wanted.
“Do you wish to go now, Robyn?”
She yipped her assent and then dragged a baby blanket from the pile over to Jack, dropping it at his feet. He got the idea, and both he and William scooped up a pup, diaper, and blanket, carrying them to the other room. They closed the door to give her privacy, and she shifted, causing the babies to do the same. They wailed in distress with the sudden unfamiliarity of transforming for the first time. While Robyn dressed and collected some of her things, the men discovered through trial and error how to diaper and swaddle an infant.
The crying ceased by the time she opened the door, walking out into the living room to find William and Jack sitting side by side on the loveseat with babes in arms. William looked up with misty eyes.
