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Then Violet’s bright lyric tone slowly rises and fills the space around us. She hums for a minute, then sings Au Clair de la Lune. Aria begins to kick her little feet, her head and body turning towards her mother.

“Mommy!” She calls, holding her arms out for Violet. Violet wraps her arms around Violet’s neck. Air whooshes out from her, her shoulders lowering as the tension leaves her body. A few tears drop down her cheeks. I lean over and kiss the top of her head, then grab a few children’s books from the bookshelf and set them on the coffee table for them before going to the kitchen.

“Alright, druzhishche. Tonight we’re going to make Violet’s favorite. Made it for her birthday this year; it’s all she ate until it was gone.” Dean gestures to the counter in front of him. “Mac n’ cheese casserole with broccoli and tender pulled chicken thighs.” He throws an apron at me, and I catch it. “Shirts off, let's get to it.” He does a little dance. I roll my eyes, tie on my apron, and meet him on the other side of the counter.

I can’t help but enjoy the atmosphere while we cook. Pru sits quietly in Cal’s lap, allowing him to massage her hand to keep her demons at bay. Caius and Lucy sit at the table in the corner playing chess, observing more than participating in conversation. It’s been nice getting to know my brother. It turns out, we don’t hate each other. Dean feeds Dahlia pieces of dinner as we work, brushing his fingers over her cheeks and kissing her hand across the counter. She’s been wearing her gloves less, and he’s been helping her eat more. By the time we’ve finished, the warmth and smell of the casserole fill the kitchen.

“Hey guys,” Violet says as she walks through the door, holding Aria on her hip with one arm and holding her hand with the other. “This is Aria.” She smiles and kisses the top of Aria’s head. Everyone greets our daughter with smiles and waves while she continues to cling to her mother.

We eat and talk for another hour; Violet focused on making sure Aria has her fill. Afterward, Pru and Cal clean the kitchen, and we move to the family room. I set myself at the piano, enjoying the sight of Violet rocking our daughter, her head resting on Violet’s chest. The fire crackles in the corner, illuminating the space in a warm glow. Bonnie and Snowdrop cuddle together in her bed, sleeping from a full day of exploring the property.

Our friends. Our family.

This is how it is meant to be.

All of us.

Together.

Epilogue 2. Two years later.

Violet

“We did it,” I say, closing the twins' door behind me. They each have their own bedroom, but having them together is easier while I’m tandem nursing.

It’s tough at times. But after our loss, having twins has been incredibly healing for me.

“Wow. That’s the first time we’ve gotten them all down at the same time.” Cain’s leaning against the wall outside the door. He never leaves me out of his sight or space for long, and never unless I’m with our friends or the dogs. Even when I wake in the night to feed Harmony and Timbre, he comes with me. Helping to change them, or rock them, or just to watch over me.

Cain shifts his weight from the wall, wraps his arm over my shoulders, and pulls me in with a kiss on my forehead.

“What should we do with this time?” We could have five hours, or five minutes.

“How did your appointment go?” He trails his nose down my cheek, placing a kiss on my neck.

“Good… All clear.” I tilt my head to give him better access. Cain brushes his lips over my neck and my shoulder, sending chills down my spine. He grips my waist and walks me back into our room, locking the door shut behind him. He stalks forward one step, two.

“Ah!” I stifle my yelp as he grabs my nursing gown, pulls it over my head, and tosses it to the floor.

His gaze moves over my body. My body that’s changed so much. My middle is soft from carrying the twins, my breasts twice the size they were. I feel self-conscious at times, but when he looks at me like this, with hooded eyes biting the corner of his lip, I can’t find a care. I love the way he looks at me.

Like he will mark me.

Use me.

Devour me.

Grabbing my shoulders, Cain throws me down onto the bed. I prop myself up on my elbows and watch him undress. Revealing his muscles, his scars, his tattoos. His skeleton hands still do something to me, making my stomach twist when I see them wrapped around my body. Or teasing me, playing my body with the expertise he has when playing the piano.

“These are my favorite,” his voice rumbles as he traces his fingers over my stretchmarks. One time he was watching me shower; he caught me looking over the scars. It’s like he could read my thoughts on how I was struggling. He joined me under the water and kissed every one of them.

Cain climbs on top of me, and captures my lips, sucking and biting. Again and again, taking my air. And I go after him with the same energy, my hands feeling over his body like an addict finally in reach of their drug.

We’ve fooled around since the twins were born, but nothing like this.

“I’m nervous…” It hits me when he starts rocking his hips, his hard cock teasing my aching pussy. Riah said everything looks good. I can go back to regular activity. That doesn’t change that this almost feels like our first time all over again.

Cain fists his cock, moving the tip over my clit, down to my entrance, and back.