Page 34 of Awaiting

“I’ve got them,” Alex replied, allowing a smile to form.

???

“What are you doing in here again?” Alex asked.

“It’s just easier,” Bexley spoke. “I can be here if they need me.”

“And you couldn’t at least bring an adult-sized blanket and a real pillow this time?” Alex smiled at her.

“I figured you’d come and wake me since you can’t seem to stop checking on them, either,” Bexley replied.

Alex had just gotten out of a long shower after such an amazing day with Bexley, and when she’d come to check on the twins, she found the woman lying on the sofa, with her phone in her hand and yet another stuffed animal under her head.

“I’ll be right back,” Alex told her before walking away and returning with a blanket and a couple of pillows. Then, she dropped the blanket on top of Bexley and handed her one of the pillows. After she put the other one on the back of the sofa, she said, “Scoot over.” And when she sat down on the sofa, she took Bexley’s legs and placed them over her own. “Better?”

“Are you staying in here, too?”

“Not all night. They’re going to be all right, Bex.” Alex took the blanket and spread it over Bexley’s legs and her own lap. “We have the baby monitors. So, we’ll stay for a bit, and then I’m seeing you off to bed.”

“I just worry about them,” Bexley said.

“I know. It’s sweet.” Alex smiled softly at her. “So, are you reading the email again?”

“Email?”

“From your ex-girlfriend?”

“Oh, no. I’m reading work emails. I’m on a sabbatical, but I’m still checking in,” Bexley explained.

When one of the babies stirred, Alex said, “I’ll check.” She stood, walked to Julia’s crib, and found her staring up at her. “Hi, sweetheart. Did you wake up?” she asked softly so as not to wake Tor. “It’s not time to be awake yet, baby Julia.” Alex smiled down at the little girl and rubbed her belly. Julia looked like she was about to cry, so Alex added, “Okay. Okay. I’ve got you.” She picked Julia up and rubbed her back slowly, trying to keep her from crying. Then, she sat in the rocking chair and began to rock. “You should go get some sleep, Bexley. I can handle this.”

“You know what I wish?” Bexley put her phone away and slid her hand under the pillow.

“What?”

“That the tabloids that seemed so interested in you reported on this; how you are with them.”

Alex smiled at that.

CHAPTER 12

“How’s this?” Alex asked.

“Yeah, that’s good. Thank you,” Bexley replied. “Be honest, though: does this look like a classroom?”

“It has tables, and you’ll be at the front of the room. I’m not sure what makes up a classroom, but this seems like one to me,” Alex said, taking a long drink of her water.

“I’m not a teacher. I don’t know what I was thinking agreeing to this,” Bexley admitted.

“What are you talking about?”

“I was a TA when I was in grad school, but that’s it. That’s my experience. What made me think I could teach these students?”

“Bex, you’re one of the best at what you do. Of course, you can teach them,” Alex told her, placing the half-empty bottle on the table toward the back of the would-be classroom. “This is just nerves. You’re going to be great.”

“How the hell am I going to explain that there’s a Princess in the back of the room?”

“You can tell them I’m here because I’m interested in starting a similar program. I promise, I’ll just sit in the back. I won’t get in the way,” Alex replied. “Are you worried I’ll be a distraction? If so, I can go. I don’t want to mess this up for you.”

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