Shadow Watcher (Darkness #6)(39)

“Useful, this human.” Toa turned that eerie gaze on Paulie. Paulie’s brows furrowed. “I didn’t realize working with a human that had been a criminal could be so advantageous. Sasha does stumble upon some gems.”

“Just gotta roll with it, human,” Charles muttered. Dealing with Toa could be polarizing. “He’s always that weird.”

Dominicous was about to speak when the most angelic sound graced their conversation. An infant cry.

“Jonas, if you tell anyone I cried like a bitch, I will kill you in your sleep.” Charles wiped his face.

“I would still kick your ass, even asleep, weakling.” Jonas’ eyes were glassy, too.

Eventually a different baby cry drifted through the door. Still everyone held silent. It wasn’t over yet.

Another uncomfortable wait passed before one of the smiling women walked out of the inner room. “Mommy and babies are both fine. A boy and a girl.”

Charles could not help the huge smile. Nor the tear dripping down his cheek. The pressure of emotion on his chest was a welcomed one. He couldn’t wait to hold one of those squirmy little infants.

* * *

I woke to softly filtered light. Genevieve was standing beside my bed holding one of my babies. “Time to feed, Sasha,” the woman said in a hush.

Stefan climbed out of his side of the bed and came around to take the blue wrapped baby from Genevieve. We’d decided to name him Savion. Genevieve then turned back to her helper for the pink wrapped baby, Sabrina. The tiny little thing was handed down to me.

“Ladies first, Savion.” Stefan kissed him on his forehead before staring down at me with an expression dripping love.

It was only a week since having the babies and still my body felt like I’d been through a gruesome battle. I’d been visited by probably everyone in the whole world. Flowers and teddy bears and candy and bottles of wine all littered the suite. Charles and Jonas lingered constantly, always with their hands out to hold the babies. Dominicous and Toa were always first, though.

I was shocked that Toa was totally into kids. Totally into kids. I couldn’t remember ever seeing him smile, but when he held Sabrina, his white chompers showed in full force. He played and laughed, bouncing her around the room. Dominicous did the same with Savion

It was clear that my children would never know what it was like to be lonely.

My kids wouldn’t grow up like Paulie or me. They wouldn’t be awarded to the state with nothing but a “good luck.” They wouldn’t scratch and fight their way through life, seeing imaginary people and wondering if they were insane. They wouldn’t spend every second just surviving. No, they’d be loved and cherished, helped and supported through each stage of their life, regardless of who was looking after them.

That thought had me crying in joy every time I thought of it.

After I had fed Sabrina, I let Stefan take her so I could feed Savion. “How’s my beautiful girl?” Stefan said with a smile. He kissed her nose. “You look like your mama.”

“Poor thing,” I muttered, trying to get Savion to latch. The little guy just wasn’t into it. His sister—easy. She took it nearly immediately. He just wouldn’t stay on.

“Here, Sasha, let me help.” The nurse leaned down to help me.

“Stefan, can you walk her away?” I hated when he watched while I worked at the boobs. It made me feel awkward.

Without a word, he bounced Sabrina toward the window. “Will you like the darkness better, or the light, little girl?” he asked in a soft tone. “Like your mama, or your daddy?”

After I finally got Savion to latch, I watched Stefan with our daughter. He took to parenting within the first moments of Savion’s life. He had taken his son and helped wash him while Sabrina was being born. He insisted on holding them both until I was ready. I’d never seen him so happy in my life. He had glossy eyes and a serene expression as he rocked two quiet babies in his arms. As the nurses finished with me, he said, “I love you so much, Sasha. Thank you for giving me the gift of our two beautiful children.”

Fate had chosen well with Stefan. I couldn’t have picked better myself. Every day I thanked God for him. Every time he kissed me, or kissed our babies, my heart swelled and I felt an answering love through our link. Life was bliss.

Chapter Twelve

Two months after I’d had the babies I was on my way with Jonas and Charles to the shifter compound in the woods. I’d left the babies in the care of two nurses, who would be the kids’ nannies. Delilah had been right—there was a huge benefit to having a baby with these people. You got free daycare and nannies. It was a mother’s dream.

Which Delilah would know soon enough when she had hers.

“I miss them already,” Charles said in a whine. “Sabrina smiled at me, did you see that? Before we left. I think she likes her scarf, even though you won’t let her have it.”

“That was gas,” Jonas growled from the driver’s seat.

“You’d smother her with that thing, Charles!” I leaned back and closed my eyes. While there was a day crew to help with feedings, I woke up every time I heard a baby cry. I was hardwired to get all stressed out when it happened. I had help, had a mate that helped, and still I was exhausted. I could not imagine doing it alone.

I hadn’t even bothered to ask about the Ferrari everyone had kept from me. Though now I knew why Stefan never drove himself anywhere.