Axoular, who had taken over the kitchen, put a plate of spaghetti in front of each child. We liked to eat as a family, but it was difficult with so many of us. We frequently ate in shifts, with the four of us hanging out until all the kids were finished.
I'd also grown much closer to Tammy. She was enthralled with the babies, just like everyone else. We spent a lot of time talking, and she told me many stories about the guys as kids. I enjoyed learning more about them and growing closer to her.
When the dinner was cleared up and the kids were in the theater room watching a superhero movie, I asked Tammy to watch the babies so I could talk to my guys.
We gathered around the pool, the summer heat a comforting friend to Axoular and me. Elias and Anthony didn't ever seem fazed by heat or cold. “It's time to go on the offensive,” I said.
“Not yet, Coya. We’re having such a nice time here. The kids love it.” He took a sip out of his mug. “And I've been in touch with Michael's mother. She's offered the place to us as a home.”
Axoular and I had southern-style sweet iced tea. I arched an eyebrow. “She was very sweet, especially to let us come in here and take over while she wouldn't even be here, but living with her? I don't know.”
“No, I think she means to give us the house and move.”
I'd never lived anywhere but Tennessee. Moving had never even crossed my mind.
“That's something to consider once we're safe. I'm not totally opposed to the idea.” Who would be opposed to living in such a grand place? “But what about right now?
Elias shook his head. “I say wait. We've got time. We aren't being hurt by being here. We're safe.”
Anthony nodded. “I agree. Dumadi will surface eventually.”
Axoular sipped his tea. “I've thought we should hide and wait since the twins were born. I can't fathom risking them.”
My shoulders slumped. I couldn't stand the feeling of being trapped, hemmed in. Dumadi had me stuck.
“Riley, what would you be doing right now if Dumadi was dead, and the threat was gone?” Axoular, ever my voice of reason asked.
“We'd be in Tennessee, spending time with the babies, recovering, planning our futures.”
“How is that different from what we're doing here?” Anthony asked.
“You're right. We have been taking this time to enjoy our children and recover. It just rankles that it's forced and not by choice.”
“I agree, but we can't let that push our hand too soon.” Elias reached over and squeezed my hand.
We finished our drinks and used the rare time with no babies to hop in the pool just us adults. Having a few moments to ourselves to flirt and kiss was amazing.
I swam toward the deep end, intent on doing a few laps while I could. As I crossed over the rope separating the deep end from the shallow, something grabbed my foot and pulled me under. I sucked in a breath just before going under and whirled around underwater to see who was after me. The chlorine stung my eyes, but I didn't care when I saw Elias behind me.
I pushed my foot forward then jerked it back, freeing myself. I knew he could move fast enough to stop me, but he was trying to play fair. I pushed off of his chest toward the other end, coming up for air.
When my nose hit fresh air and I breathed in, I smacked into something hard and smooth. Opening my eyes again, I looked up into Anthony's grinning face. He was lounging against the wall, and I'd gotten turned around under the water. If not for him, I would've smacked into the concrete wall.
Grabbing me under the arms, he braced himself on the side of the pool and threw me halfway across the water.God, I love being with such strong men. They make me feel like a tiny princess.
I squealed my way through the air and hit the water with a smack. We played like that for several more minutes, then dried off and changed to go relieve Tammy. The twins were a lot for one person to handle.
That night, after bedtime stories for the little kids and hugs from the big—Stephen gave us a salute from his spot on the couch in the movie room—we got the babies settled in their bed in the room next to ours. I took a long bath, washing the chlorine out of my hair. The guys had already taken showers, but I'd waited until they were gone so I could shave and trim everything properly and pamper myself.
Once I was hair-free in all the right places, I walked out into our bedroom to find them splayed across the bed watching a movie.
They didn't even look away from the TV. Elias's nose twitched. “You used that orange-scented soap I like.”
That was all the response I got. I looked down at the teal negligee I'd snuck into the bathroom. It lifted my breasts beautifully. I'd pumped right before my bath, but they were still extra plump compared to before my pregnancy. Under the breasts it fell to my panty line, concealing the pooch I carried. It was worse since the twins, though I'd really not gotten nearly as big as I would've expected, carrying two.
My thong was lace and left nothing to the imagination. I might as well have gone without, but I knew the scrap of material would serve its purpose, turning them on quickly.
I cleared my throat, tossing my damp hair over my shoulder. I wanted to look great for them, but I drew the line at fixing my hair and makeup.
