I still remembered when Lucian held Bella for the first time in his arms, my husband cried at the sight of our little girl. And every night when he tucked her into bed, he would whisper how much he loved her, just like he did with Luke, kissing both of their foreheads before leaving the room.
I bent down to Bella's level and touched her straight hair.
— But why not, my love? — She grimaced, wrinkling her nose.
— She is very annoying and keeps taking my toys.
— Those aren't reasons.
Megan nudged me.
— Bella's right, Bruce's daughter gets on my nerves.
— Megan!— I scolded my twin. — Please help me here.
I looked back at Arabella and adjusted the crown in her hair, removing the strands trapped in her skin, finally, I held my girl's delicate face.
— My love, I already explained to you that you can't push people away without even getting to know them well. It's only the second time you've seen Hannah.
Bella didn't seem to want to take my advice.
— But I don't like her, Mama.
I took a deep breath and nodded.
— Okay, I won't force you to play with Hannah if you don't want to, but if you give her one more chance, I'm sure you won't regret it.
Bella made a spoiled pout.
— I do not know.
— Just try. If it doesn't work out, that's fine.
She was reluctant but eventually agreed, kissing me on the cheek before running off to where the other kids were gathered playing. I pinched my twin when no one was looking, and she jumped up, staring at me in disbelief, eyebrows raised.
— There! What is this for?
— Don't talk bad about one child to another, that can influence Bella.— Megan grumbled, rubbing her arm.
— I just told the truth. Hannah is boring.
I clapped my hand on my forehead. Megan didn't change.
— I want to see you when I'm your kids.— Megan was suddenly serious, avoiding my eyes.
— That's not going to happen, you know that.
I shrugged.
— We're proof that miracles do happen, Megan, don't give up hope.
I emptied my juice glass and set it on an empty table, approaching the couches where my parents were chatting with my uncles, Rebecca, and Aiden. Ethan and Ellen played with their friends. My mother held Helena in her arms and smiled as she talked to her. Dad missed drooling on his granddaughter.
— I'm starting to feel jealous, — I joked as I approached.
Mom laughed, patting Helena's hand.
— Helena is so laid back, she reminds me of you when you were a baby, — Dad commented, his eyes sparkling.
— Wait till you hear her crying all night, — I grumbled.
I took the free spot next to Lucian, and his arm instantly brought me closer. I laid my head on his shoulder, kissing my hair next. Luke came running towards us and threw himself in my lap, sulking.
— What happened, honey?
He looked at me, and he had a big pout on his lips.
— The little princess spoiled our play.
Bella came running right after, and Lucian sat her down on his lap.
— Is that true, Arabella?
She furrowed her delicate brows.
— Luke wouldn't let me play.
— It was a game for boys, not for princesses!
— I don't mind!
Luke flicked his tongue at Bella who retaliated by smacking him on the head. I decided to stop that mess before those two continued to fight and caused a fire at their birthday party. They were only five years old and had a power that scared me.
— Luke, Bella is your sister, and she likes to play with you and your friends, it's not right to exclude her. We've already talked about this.
He opened his mouth to retort but then shut up.
— And Bella, know how to talk to your brother and not just end the game or beat him up. It is not right. Now, make up and go play together, and I don't want any more fights.
Luke and Bella were reluctant, but it didn't take long for them to settle down and go back to running and playing with the other children. They fought like Megan and me, but they were as close as could be.
Lucian's mouth brushed against my ear.
— You are an excellent mother, star, — he whispered in my ear.
I bit my lip, trying to hold in a smile.
— This is only possible because I have you by my side.
Lucian smiled slightly and kissed my lips softly, holding my hand, and joining our rings. He was such an amazing father, and every day I was more sure that I made the right choice. Lucian was nothing like his father once was, on the contrary, my partner was a loving, caring, and fair father. And I was proud of him, and I knew our children felt the same way.
I laid my head back on Lucian's shoulder, watching the house full of important people. Our family and our children would always come first in our lives. Madison brought me Theo, who was yawning sleepily, rubbing his sleepy eyes. I settled my son in my arms, and he buried his head in my chest. I stroked his brown hair until he fell asleep in my lap.
I watched Uncle Dylan dancing with Cassie, his daughter, he spun her on the floor, and she laughed, shaking her head and messing up her blonde hair, identical to her mother's, who admired them next to Athena. Cassie and Bella were best friends, but when they fought, all they had to do was turn the castle to ashes.
Helena started to cry and Mom handed her to Lucian, and as if it were some kind of magic, she immediately calmed down in her dad's arms. Helena opened her blue eyes, identical to Lucian's, and fixed on my face, her little mouth curling into a small smile. I kissed my baby's cheek.
I loved each of my children, their differences and quirks. Of course, living with five children who shared an explosive werewolf gene and powerful magic resulted in a lot of fussing, fighting, and crying, but nothing gave me more pleasure than caring for the family I had built with Lucian.
Because, after all, family always came first.
End!
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