Page 116 of Knot in Bloom
“Cam-Cam, look!” Emma Rose says proudly, pointing at the elaborate sandcastle. “Big!”
“Look at him,” I breathe, watching Lila carefully adjust Mitchell’s blanket. “He’s so tiny.”
“Want to hold him?” Lila asks, and before I can answer, she’s gently transferring the sleeping baby into my arms.
The moment Mitchell settles against my chest, both twins go absolutely wild, kicking and squirming like they’re trying to reach their new cousin. I gasp at the sudden movement, and immediately feel a wave of protective concern from all three of my alphas through our bond.
“Whoa there, ladies,” Dean says with a grin, noticing my wince. “Jealous already?”
“They’re just excited,” I say, but another particularly strong kick makes me shift uncomfortably. “Though I really wish they’d decided to arrive on their actual due date.”
“You’re officially overdue?” Lila asks sympathetically. “I remember those last few days with Mitchell feeling endless.”
“Three days overdue,” I confirm, rubbing my free hand over my belly. “Which is practically unheard of with twins. The midwife keeps saying any day now, but apparently these two are as stubborn as their mama.”
“Statistically speaking, less than five percent of twins go past thirty-seven weeks,” Julian observes quietly, settling into one of the porch chairs while keeping a watchful eye on Emma Rose and Cameron, who are now building something elaborate in the sandbox. “Though I suppose statistics don’t account for Quinn family determination.”
“Everyone keeps giving me helpful suggestions about how to encourage labor,” I continue with a wry smile.
“Mrs. Woodbury swears by spicy food,” Reid says, pressing a gentle kiss to my temple. “Though I’m not sure Sadie’s stomach could handle that right now.”
“Aunt Maeve suggested long walks,” Caleb adds, now supervising the children’s construction project. “But she’s been waddling more than walking lately.”
“I do not waddle,” I protest, though the effect is somewhat ruined by the fact that I’m currently unable to get up from the swing without help.
“Of course not, love,” Levi says with barely contained amusement. “You gracefully penguin-walk.”
Everyone laughs, including me, though I try to look offended.
“Well,” Lila says with a mischievous glint in her eye, “there is one method that’s supposed to be particularly effective for starting labor...”
“Don’t,” I warn, knowing exactly where this is going.
“I’m just saying, sex is a perfectly natural way to?—”
“Sex is what got me in this position in the first place!” I exclaim, which makes everyone burst into laughter. Even baby Mitchell stirs slightly at the noise, though he doesn’t wake.
“She’s got a point,” Callum observes dryly. “Three alphas, one omega, twins on the way. The math checks out.”
“You’re all terrible,” I say, but I’m grinning as I carefully transfer Mitchell back to Lila. “And these babies will come when they’re ready.”
As if summoned by my words, one of the twins delivers such a strong kick that I gasp and press both hands to my belly. Through the pack bond, I immediately feel my alphas’ alarm and protective instincts flare to life.
“Okay, maybe sooner rather than later,” I amend, which earns me concerned looks from all six of my pack members.
“Everything alright?” Dean asks, immediately moving closer.
“Just very pregnant,” I assure them, though the pressure in my lower back is definitely increasing. “They’re just reminding me they’re running out of room in there.”
Reid’s hand finds mine, squeezing gently, and through our bond I feel his steady calm trying to soothe my discomfort. “Want to head inside? Maybe take a warm bath?”
“In a minute,” I say, watching our extended family scattered around the yard. The love flowing through our pack bond from Levi, Reid, and Caleb wraps around me like a warm blanket, making even the pregnancy discomfort bearable. Cameron and Emma Rose are now covered in sand but absolutely delighted with their creation. Lila looks radiant holding her son. My three alphas are relaxed and happy, taking turns making sure everyone is comfortable and entertained.
This is what happiness looks like, I realize. Not perfect moments or flawless planning, but messy, chaotic, overwhelming love that somehow makes everything feel exactly right.
“I love this,” I say softly, leaning into Reid’s warmth while watching Levi join the children’s sandbox project and Caleb help Dean unload more baby supplies from the truck. Through our pack bond, I send them all my contentment and gratitude, feeling their answering warmth flood back to me.
“Just wait until there are five babies running around,” Lila grins, adjusting Mitchell’s blanket. “Our kids are going to grow up thinking they have the biggest, most loving family in the world.”
