Lanie


    “Why wouldn''t | like it?” | asked as calmly as | could.


    I


    Ste shrugged. “If | made you say something silly, then Izzy and Allie wouldugh at you. You wouldn''t like them tough at


    you, would you, Mother?”


    “If | said something funny, | guess | wouldn’t mind.” | took in a deep breath, m entally preparing for words | didn’t mean to say to


    tumble out of my mouth.


    Ste’s brows drew close together. Her expression screwed up in concentration. | braced myself.


    “Abba!” Ste cried and got up from the couch to run to Mason.


    | was now “Mother,” but he was still Abba. That made me smile. Ste was a little girl with three fathers, but Mason was the one


    she’d known first. There was more than a biological tie between them. He swung her


    up in the air and then down with a small groan.


    “Won''t be able to do that much longer,” he said to me as | also got up to greet him.


    | wasn’t sure if he wanted to kiss me, or honestly, if | wanted to kiss him, but when he pulled me against him, sweet relief flooded


    me. | closed my eyes and let him hold me close. His lips brushed my temple.


    Oh, how | loved this man.


    And he loved me, too. | could see that in his eyes when he pulled away to quickly kiss my lips. He mouthed ter” and added a


    wiggle of his eyebrows that made meugh.


    Mason turned to the twins and the melting cartons of ice cream. “What''s this? None saved for wow, you two must''ve been eating


    a lot of ice cream. Look how big you got.”


    He shot a look at me over his shoulder and his eyebrows raised. It was kind of startling to see he


    they were changing.


    “They''ve almost caught up to you, Ste my star,” Mason said. “How was school today?”


    For a moment, | tensed. Mason loved our daughter. | would never doubt that. But | knew he was worried


    after what I’d done with Greyson. | didn’t want him getting upset about Ste. | needed more information firs


    Ste looked at me. Then she smiled brightly. “It was great, Abba. Miss Janice let me go into the reading


    group. Do you want to listen to me read?”


    can''t


    Mason gave me a startled look. “Reading? Already?”


    | shrugged and tossed up my hands. “Apparently so.”


    “We''ll go in my room and do it,” Ste said, lowering her voice. “So the twins don’t feel bad, since they


    tread yet. They’re still in the baby group”


    “Right of course” Mason met my puas ansin as we channad silentmunication 1/2


    “When did she start reading?” He thought to me.


    “As far as | know, this morning,” | replied through the mind link


    “Abba,” Ste said impatiently, tugging his hand.


    “Did you see Xander and Zane?” | asked as he let our daughter lead him away.


    “Yes. We''re good,” Mason thought back, although his attention was fixed on Ste and her description of something she’d read in


    the encyclopedia.


    Through the open door, | could hear her reading to him. | helped the twins get cleaned up, just finishing as the door opened


    again to reveal Zane and Xander. Both of them wereughing, arms slung over each others shoulders. Relief swept over me.


    They obviously weren''t fighting anymore,


    “Papa!”


    “Daddy!”


    The twins ran to their fathers. Zane scooped up Isaac, and Xander tossed ina high into air, catching her easily as she


    shrieked withughter. He snuggled close to her.


    “Hello, love,” he thought to me. “About earlier...


    | cut him off with my reply through the link. “Never mind. I’m just d you''re all back home. We''re all


    together.


    “Daddy, y with us!” ina shouted, squealing with delight as her father tossed her again.


    Xander caught her in one arm, cradling her against his broad chest. “As you wish. What do you want toBelongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    y?”


    Isaac squirmed to get down from Zane’s arms and ran to the bookcases along the wall. Whoever had supplied these rooms for


    us had been thoughtful enough to provide a bunch of kid-friendly board games. Isaac picked out Weasels and Swings, an old


    favorite | hadn’t yed in ages.


    “Stellie! Come y! Abba! Come y!” ina shouted as Xander put her down.


    | was reminded again of Ste ying Hide and Seek Of my sister, of my childhood. But for now, | was present here, with my


    children and my mates. Instead of letting myself be haunted, | chose to focus on the blessings the Moon Goddess had bestowed


    upon us all.


    | was going to be grateful for this peace as long as | could...because | knew it couldn''tst forever.