Avery’s eyes glaze. “Sophie Elise Alexander.”
“It sounds good.”
“Just like it was meant to go together.” My wife admires our daughters. “Sadie Caroline and Sophie Elise. Both are lovely and immortal flowers without a single physical defect. They are perfect and worthy of being brought forth in Eden.”
She’s quoting The Scarlet Letter and she couldn’t be more right. These babies are perfect. I suppose every parent feels that way about their children but they can’t all be correct. At least we aren’t plagued with the unfortunate circumstance of being wrong about our children’s perfection.
It’s been three days since we welcomed our twin daughters into the world and today we are bringing them home to the Savannah compound. It’s almost noon so the family is asleep–except for the Brennan crew–and we find them waiting for us in the living room.
Chansey swiftly rises from the sofa to greet us. “I’m so happy you’re home. I’m beyond ready to meet these little ladies.” Both babies are in their carriers and I place them on the couch side by side. “I’m sorry I wasn’t able to make it to the hospital to see you but I couldn’t leave my sick babies.”
I guess being half vampire wasn’t going to keep our children from catching the common cold. “It’s okay. We totally understand.”
“Are they feeling better?”
“They’re on the mend but they scared me to death the night after these two were born. Both of them were making this weird sound when they were breathing. I called Dr. Knight and she rushed over. Turns out it was just croup. We took them outside in the cool air and it cleared right up.” Chansey shakes her head. “I’ve never seen Curry so scared.”
I don’t have to imagine his alarm because the worry I experienced over Sadie and Sophie’s delivery was still fresh on my mind.
Chansey stands over our new editions. “They seem so tiny. I can’t believe mine were this small only a few months ago.” She touches Sadie’s cheek and then Sophie’s. “My goodness. Curry told me they didn’t look a thing alike.” She looks up at us. “I thought he was exaggerating but I see now he wasn’t.”
Thank the gods they aren’t anything alike.
Curry takes another look at the babies. “They’ll never mix these two up. That’s for sure.”
“So, who is who?” Chansey asks.
Sadie stirs in her carrier and cries as if on cue to be the first one introduced. So far, she has insisted on doing everything first. “This little darling is Sadie.” Avery unbuckles our crying daughter and lifts her. “She’s the one with the robust appetite but I’ve learned I have about thirty minutes before Sophie will start in wanting to eat too.”
“Mine do me the same way but it’s better to keep them on a close schedule. James Grady got mixed up once and I felt like I was constantly feeding one of them. It took two days to get him back to his normal routine. It was exhausting.”
We definitely didn’t need that because it already seemed like Avery spent half of her time nursing. “We’ll be sure to remember that and please feel free to pass along any other tips you may have.”
I look at my watch and note that it’ll be two more hours until their feeding time. “Want me to take them for a little while so you can catch a quick nap before time to nurse?” Avery’s body has been through a lot recently. I offer to care for the babies often because I want her to have as much rest as possible. Although I’ve become incredibly human over the last few months, I’m still able to tolerate lack of sleep much better than her. Plus, I love the bonding time I get with my daughters.
Her eyes dance. “Oh, that would be lovely. Thank you, baby.”
Avery manages to get two hours of rest before feeding time. She’s already awake and smiles as she rises to a sitting position when I enter our newly finished quarters with the babies. “My body is on their schedule as well. It knows it’s time to nurse because I feel like I could burst.” She scoots until her back is against the headboard and gets into position before I pass Sadie to her. “Chansey’s going to help me learn how to nurse them at the same time.”
“That would save so much time.” I watch my wife nurse our daughter and I’m still amazed by this new experience. I can’t believe this is my life. It’s too good to be true.
Evening comes and the occupants of the house rise from their slumber. Everyone is present in the living room to see our babies and I realize for the first time how much our family has grown over the last year. Eight new members have been added to our previous count of six but there’s a new face standing in the crowd and it’s one I don’t recognize.
He’s a tall man with broad shoulders and flaxen hair. His eyes are golden–and captivating. I’ve never seen irises that color. I make the connection and realize why. He isn’t human.
“I have someone I’d like to introduce,” Sebastian says. “This is Anteros.”
The room is hushed but he breaks the silence. “Good evening.” His voice is soft, yet authoritative. The way it commands attention leaves no room for doubt. It’s reminiscent of a different time–and place–but I can’t identify either. “I’m sure my presence at your compound is a surprise but I’ve come because I wish to meet my daughters and their mates and children.”
Agápes are called daughters of Anteros because he is their creator but I wonder if his words imply something more.
He walks toward Chansey and hugs her. “Chansey. You are my daughter because I’m your creator.” He releases her from his embrace but continues holding her attention. “I chose your family because of your grandmother’s history as a blood swan. I knew you’d be raised in a loving environment that would nourish and prepare you to love and accept Curry as your mate. And I couldn’t be happier with the way you have embraced your life as an agápe. You are a wonderful wife and mother and you make me a proud maker.”
She’s mesmerized by him. “Thank you.”
Curry appears lost but extends his hand. “It’s very nice to meet you.”
He spends a little time speaking with Chansey and Curry while looking at the babies and then moves on to us. “Avery. I’ve watched you from afar for so long, my child. It’s so delightful to finally meet you.” He takes her into a tight embrace. “And hold you in my arms.”