Page 129 of Alpha's Redemption

Dion takes about twenty minutes before he returns, using the polishing cloth on the last one. He sets them in little boxes and bags them for me after I check them. Satisfied, we leave and head back home, yet the trip is taking way too damn long. I’m excited to show Everly, but these damn roundabouts!

“Seriously, why do they have so many roundabouts along this straight? Someone needs to complain to the council,” I growl.

Marcus raises an eyebrow at me. “You designed this road to stop the street racers and hooligans. Youarethe damn council; complain to yourself,” Marcus laughs, and I roll my eyes.

* * *

Everly

I anxiously wait for Valen to return while going over bridal magazines with Ava. Dad is making me coffee while I sit and ponder what names he chose. Valarian’s on the floor, watching his sisters squirm in their swings. Every noise they make has him jumping to give them their pacifiers or soothing them. All morning he’s been passing diapers and following me around, wanting to help, wanting to cuddle, and wanting to touch them. They’re his prized possessions—until the diaper changes. Then, he’s nowhere to be seen.

Dad has just set my coffee down on the coffee table when the door opens and Valen walks in. I eagerly look over the back of the couch toward the entry.

“Evie,” Valen says, leaning over the couch. He pecks my lips, looking down at the magazine sitting open in my lap.

“Finally going to start planning?” he asks, and I nod.

“Show me,” I tell him, reaching for the bag in his hands. He shakes his head.

“Grab the girls and bring them into the room first, then you can see,” he tells me, and I pout before hauling my ass off the couch and over to the baby swings. I grab baby A, and Ava passes me Baby B while Valen grabs Baby C.

I’m just glad to be rid of the baby alphabet and can't care less what he names them at this point, as long as they have names. Real names.

I follow Valen into the room, and he places the baby on the bed. I place the other two beside her, peering over his shoulder as he rummages through the jewelry bag.

“Away. You will see in a minute,” he says, shooing me.

I growl at him and sit near the head of the bed, watching as he clasps each one in place. When he’s done, he glances at me nervously.

“Come on, they can't be that bad. Now let me look,” I whine at him. Valen moves aside and motions to them. I hop up, going over to examine the tiny gold bracelets on their wrists. My lip quivers as I pick up the first one's little wrist. I blink back tears, moving to the next. And the last one damn near breaks me.

“You like them?” Valen asks nervously, and I gaze up at him.

“Love them,” I whisper, and he smiles, stepping closer and wrapping his arms around me. I squeeze him tight, resting my head against his chest. “Their names are perfect,” I tell him, looking up at him. He kisses my nose.

Hearing the door moments later, I smile as voices come echoing throughout the place. Macey, Tatum, and Taylor have arrived, along with Zoe, Marcus, Casey, and Kalen. Scooping the girls up, Valen takes two while I grab baby C.

“I think her name is fitting. She is definitely a troublemaker with all her crying,” Valen comments as he walks out to greet everyone. They all chat excitedly while Dad makes himself handy in the kitchen.

“Dad!” I call to him, and he looks over at me. “Come sit,” I tell him. He stops what he’s doing and goes to sit with Kalen on the ottoman.

“No, next to Macey,” I tell him. Valen moves across to where Zoey is sitting with Marcus and hands her one baby.

“Can I look?” she asks all excitedly, clapping her hands before taking her from Valen.

“You can look,” Valen confirms. Zoe does and falls quiet for a second, then nods, choking a little before looking up with tears in her eyes.

“Well, what does it say?” Macey asks impatiently while trying to peer over my father's shoulder.

“Summer Zoey Solace,” Zoey chokes as I hand the next baby to Kalen. He smiles as he looks at her bracelet.

“Now, I said I wouldn't name her after you, but I added a spin on it,” Valen whispers to me.

“Everlyn Valarie Solace,” Kalen states before leaning down and kissing the top of her little head.

Valen turns to my father before passing her over, while Dad shakes his head, tears streaming down his face. He already knows before even looking.

“Your mate sacrificed herself for her grandchildren, and none of them would exist if she didn't,” Valen tells him.

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