Chapter 151
I return to the bed and sink onto the mattress. My body gives in instantly, like it’s been waiting for permission. I close my eyes for just a second–or that’s what I tell myself–but sleep catches me fast.
I wake to the sound of giggles. The kind of laughter that fills a room like sunlight.
When I open my eyes, Nova’s face is the first thing I see. She’s leaning over me, grinning from ear to ear.
“Hi,” she chirps.
I blink, disoriented. “Hi p>
“You were sleeping,” she says, like it’s the funniest thing in the world.
I push myself up, careful with my arm, and realize Nolan is on my left, sitting cross–legged on the bed. His calm gaze meets mine, the complete opposite of his sister’s energy.
“We were told to call you for dinner,” he explains in that serious little voice of his. “But we didn’t want to wake you p>
My heart softens instantly. They’re so sweet and I hope they remain like that. That nothing and no one will corrupt their goodness.
“Aaaw, thank you, Nolan,” I murmur, smiling at him. “I really needed that map p>
He gives a shy little shrug, eyes darting away, but there’s something so gentle in his expression that my chest tightens. Before I can stop myself, my hand moves on instinct. My fingers brush down his cheek, tracing the faint dimple that forms when he tries not to smile.
Realizing what I’m doing, I pull back, my throat tightening. “Sorry,” I whisper, my hand dropping to my lap.
I can’t stop the heaviness in my heart. Touching them and being with them feels so natural. Like they’re supposed to be with me and me with them.
I have no right to touch him like that. These are Noah and Chloe’s children, not mine. Noah would hate it if he saw how close I’m getting… but I can’t help it. Not when they already feel like a part of me.
Nolan just shrugs again, his cheeks tinged pink. “It’s okay,” he mumbles. “I don’t mind p>
That small, earnest response nearly undoes me.
Before I can think of what to say, Nova leans in, curls bouncing, eyes wide with curiosity. “Do you feel much better now p>
I smile through the ache in my chest. “A lot better. Especially now that I’ve seen you two p>
Her whole face lights up. She scoots closer until her tiny nose almost bumps mine. “Yay! That’s perfect,” she whispers, then plants a quick kiss on my cheek.
I blink in surprise, the warmth from her kiss spreading through me.
“That’s a fairy kiss,” she declares proudly, sitting back with a grin. “It’ll make you feel even better p>
I can’t stop my smile. They’re just so precious.
“It’s working,” I tell her, pretending to stretch my arms dramatically. “See? I feel super strong already p>
Nova squeals, clapping her hands. “Told you it works, Nolan p>
He rolls his eyes, but his mouth twitches into a smile. “That’s not magic, Nova. That’s just germs p>
She gasps. “Fairy germs p>
He groans. “There’s no such thing as fairy germs p>
“Is too p>
“Is not p>
I can’t help but laugh at their bickering. Reaching out with my good arm, I pull Nolan in first, then hook Nova close until both are tucked against me. Their small bodies are warm and soft, and for a moment, my troubled heart settles.
“Alright, you two,” I murmur, my voice soft but firm. “No more arguing, okay? You shouldn’t fight so much with each other p>
Nova pouts. “He’s bossy, and a know it all p>
“And she’s annoying,” Nolan mutters automatically.
I smile, brushing my thumb across Nova’s curls. “Hey. You’re twins. That means you’re a team. You’re supposed to take care of each other p>
They exchange a glance, then look away, but their little shoulders touch in a quiet truce.
And as I hold them close, I can’t help thinking how easily they’ve wrapped themselves around my heart and how dangerous that is.
But I don’t think about that for long because of a sudden shift. Almost as if all the warmth has been sucked from the air.
I glance up and see Noah standing at the door. He’s leaning against the frame, arms folded across his chest, watching us. His face is unreadable, but there’s something there, just beneath the surface. Something that looks a lot like anger. Or bitterness. Maybe both.
My breath catches. The twins don’t notice; Nova’s still giggling softly, while Nolan traces patterns on my cast… but I do and whatever that look is. Whatever storm it hides. It’s aimed right at me… And for a moment, I can’t tell if it’s because I’m holding his children… or because he wishes it was Chloe instead… or maybe both. 2
Evelyn M.M