Ivan changed back to his wolf form and rested next to his wife and babies. Hours later Marcus picked Amy up and carried her to their room.
She was exhausted, but it was a good feeling. Marcus cuddled her in his arms as she fell asleep. He held her as he lay awake throughout the night. He was thinking of how lucky he was, but at the same time, he was afraid of the future and knew he had to deal with Victoria for the last time. He always knew it was his responsibility to kill her, and recognized that he owed her the end she wanted. The thought of Victoria’s death no longer brought sadness. It brought completeness and was something he should have done long ago. He looked at the woman in his arms and knew he could not live without her. Nothing and no one would take her from him.
When she began to stir, Marcus picked her up and carried her into the shower.
“I could wake up like this every day,” she said and began kissing his chest as the water washed over them.
Their time in the shower was shorter than normal because Amy wanted to see the babies. Marcus laughed, as he lay on the bed ready for his daytime sleep. He watched her leave the room and was content.
She ran down the stairs. She didn’t see Alba by the puppy’s box and was surprised when she peered inside and saw the babies sleeping. They were miraculous beings and she gazed at them in awe.
Alba walked into the room on two legs. She was wrapped in a lush bathrobe. Amy put her arms around her friend and hugged. “You’re even more beautiful than I remembered and so are the babies.”
“I will agree with you on the babies, but it will be a few months before my figure is back to normal.”
Ivan came in behind Alba and wrapped his arms around her “figure”. “I think you’re perfect just the way you are. How are you feeling?”
“Better now that I’ve had a shower. I’ll need to change back soon for feeding but it feels good to be upright.”
Amy leaned over the box and couldn’t take her eyes off the small beings inside.
“You can pick them up up. Enjoy this time before you’re chasing them everywhere and wanting to strangle the little heathens.”
Amy laughed and picked up Sierra. She nuzzled her face against the small sleeping body. “You are precious. I don’t believe a word your mother says. You will always be cute, beautiful and the perfect lady.”
They all laughed and Ivan said that he would remind her of those words.
Alba took off her robe and changed back when the puppies started making mewling sounds. They spent a quiet and restful day watching the small miracles and lazing around the house. At sunset Marcus joined them and the clan drifted into the house as their duties allowed.
Alba and Ivan’s sons arrived first. They were captivated with their sister. Amy held Roland so he would not feel slighted. Alba was not concerned. The boys had never had a sister and their fascination was understandable. Roland would soon get his share of their attention.
Roland latched onto Amy’s finger and she laughed. By evening, most of the clan was in the house and an impromptu party was underway.
The real celebration would occur when the pups were one month old. They would have a naming ceremony and be officially accepted into the clan. The ceremony required that the pups be past their first change, which would happen sometime in the next few weeks. Over the next two days their eyes would open. Amy believed that this time before they changed was going to be the most special.