I lifted her chin, smiling into her teary eyes. “You have to let him live his life, my darling girl. And I’ll keep an eye on them. He’ll be back for Christmas.”
“I know.”
“I’m here, Mommy!” Noelle called out. “I’ll help with the babies!”
I scooped her up, sitting her on my knee. “You’re gonna be the best big sister ever,” I teased her, loving how she spread her tiny fingers across Alex’s stomach.
“Are they playing today, Mommy?”
“They were, but I think they are having a nap.”
“Ooooh,” Noelle whispered. “I’ll be quiet.”
I grinned against her head. She was still beyond adorable. “Don’t you wanna show Mommy what we got?”
She clapped her hands. “Can I, Daddy?”
“Yep.”
Alex smiled. “What have the two of you done now?”
“We went shopping!” Noelle crowed.
I met Alex’s gaze over Noelle’s head.
She smiled tenderly at me, shaking her head. “Dylan . . .”
I lifted one shoulder. “We enlisted Jodi’s help.”
“That’s even worse.”
I laughed and handed her a bag containing her favorite chocolates. She loved the new outfit Noelle had picked and chuckled over the multicolored sneakers that lit up when Noelle walked on them. Noelle’s sweet laughter drifted down the hall as she ran to hang up her new dress and no doubt stand in front of the mirror, tapping her feet.
When I handed Alex the flat bag, she frowned in curiosity, then gasped in delight at the contents. Jodi had found websites with lots of baby furniture and designs and printed them out. She also typed up links for places that carried the hundreds of items it seemed babies needed. Part of taking Alex to Toronto with me had been to take her shopping there, but between my work and her exhaustion, it never happened. Thanks to the internet, though, I could bring the shopping to her. Jodi knew Alex’s tastes, and she helped me choose some sites that carried the sort of items she knew Alex would like.
I leaned forward and kissed my wife. “We’re staying here in our home, so decorate the room at the end of the hall for our children, Alex. Whatever you want for them is yours. Jodi will come to help you if you want, and Michael will make any changes you need made and paint it. Okay?”
She cupped my cheek and nodded, her eyes brimming with tears. “Thank you, Dylan.”
“Thank you, my darling girl, for knowing what was right for our family. For knowing me.” I turned my face to press a kiss to her palm. “You’re my everything, Alex. I love you.”
She smiled—the warm, wonderful smile I so loved to see. The one she had for me and me alone.
“I love you too.”
Thick, white snow swirled outside our windows, the wind ferocious in its intensity. Wet, heavy clumps of drifts surrounded our home, the storm so intense, I couldn’t see the ocean and beach that normally greeted me. I knew tomorrow I would be using the huge snow blower I purchased, and that once again, I would be grateful for investing in the massive SUV we owned. It was the closest I could get to a minivan without actually having to drive one. Alex still did, the one big difference being it was new, well-serviced, and very safe. It held the most precious cargo in the world—my family.
Inside our home, it was warm, safe, and dry. The storm that raged was muted by the heavy building protecting us. My Noelle slept soundly—completely unaware of the storm outside, her wild curls spread on her pillow, making her odd snuffling sounds. I grinned as I tucked her feet back under the covers, knowing ten minutes after I was gone, she would have kicked them off again. Leaning down, I brushed a kiss to her forehead and left her room, leaving her door ajar in case she did wake and was frightened.
I passed Seth’s room and paused in the doorway. His bed was neatly made up, the room spotless—everything in its place, except for the boy. Happy and busy in Toronto, he loved his new world. Even though we spoke almost daily and Skyped all the time, I missed his cheerful disposition and our easy camaraderie. And I really missed having another male in the house—I was entirely outnumbered now.
I moved down the hall to my intended destination. In the nursery, I checked on my two tiniest daughters. They were both asleep, their little fists curled under their cheeks, the storm not bothering them in the least. I traced
my finger over the downy cheek of our eldest twin, Joy. Born ten minutes ahead of her sister Hope, she weighed a whole pound more, and she was already the ruler of the nursery and the house. Her cry was distinctive and loud, and her temper rivalled mine. Her younger, tinier sister, rarely cried, seemingly content to let Joy take the lead and make sure someone looked after all their needs.
I couldn’t stay away from either of them.
Hope’s little arm shifted, her fist opening, and she bleated a tiny sound. Without a thought, I scooped her into my arms and sat in the rocking chair, holding her close. She nuzzled into my chest, her warmth seeping into my skin as we rocked. I knew she was fine, but I couldn’t resist any opportunity to hold her or her sister. Alex often came in to find me dozing in the chair, both the girls nestled on my chest as I slumbered.