As I ate my yummy goodness, I couldn’t help but reflect on what had just taken place. We finally closed the book on Michael Halstead. Doyle Kessler was going to be next. I didn’t have to worry about him because it was an easy case against him-attempted murder, attack against two packs, killing of several wolves, threatening to kill the Alpha Queen and Delta Female, terroristic acts against a pack, attack on armed transport, and many more crimes. His punishment was death and he knew it.
I couldn’t help but think when would we be leaving to go back home? I mean I love being here but I want to go back home. I’ve been here for over a month now. I miss my own home. I waited until everyone was present to ask that all-important question.
“Hey Dad, when are we going home?” I asked him quietly.
“Well, we thought we’d go home tonight if that was okay with you and Anthony,” replied Dad. “We didn’t want to rush you.”
“That sounds perfect. No, it’s not rushing me. Don’t get me wrong, I like being here. I just miss my own home. With Michael being in our rearview mirror, I want to get back to a sense of normalcy. I need that,” I explained to everyone.
“No, I get that Mellie. You’ve been through a lot. Your emotions that been through a lot lately. You need to get grounded again. The only way to do that is through your normal routine,” advised Uncle Vladimir.
“I’ve already made the arrangements for our travel. We will leave here tonight at 9 PM. This will allow us the weekend to reverse our sleep patterns to our regular schedules,” noted Dad.
“Now, I believe we all need to have lunch and then you need to prepare for your travels tonight. Sound like a plan,” suggested Uncle Vladimir.
“Sounds like a plan,” I replied.
We all gathered in the dining room for lunch. Then we retired to our rooms to start the arduous task of packing to return home. I didn’t realize just how much stuff I had accumulated over the course of a month for Austin. We had to get two more suitcases just for him.
With everything packed and ready to go it was now time for dinner. Where did the time go? Seriously? Didn’t I just start packing like an hour ago? I’m already tired and want to go to sleep. I know I need to eat so I can feed Austin but I’m just too tired to do anything at this point. Seeing this, Anthony picks me up and carries me to the dining room for dinner which elicits chuckles from everyone.
“Don’t worry Mellie, you can sleep on the plane. I’ll help take care of Austin,” Mom announced once we were all situated at the table.
“Thank you, Mom. But I’ll be okay. It’s just been a long day and I …” was all I was allowed to say before Anthony interjected.
“And now you have to start taking naps in the afternoon again. You are growing not one but two babies inside of you. You need to rest in the afternoon. We will make sure of it. No arguments. Now eat your dinner my love,” cooed Anthony with a soft smile on his face.
Everyone chuckled at his playful interjection of what would happen from now on. He made it sound like he was teasing with me but he really wasn’t. He was really telling me what I was going to be doing from now on. No questions asked. No arguments allowed. Period.
“Yes, my love. From now on every afternoon, I will take a nap to refresh myself to help the babies grow healthy and strong. I promise,” I stated as I crossed my heart with my index finger as a sign of my commitment to him.
“Wow, she’s promising to do better. I can’t wait to see this play out,” Dad sarcastically stated to everyone.
“Oh, stop it, Troy. She’s doing better this time. You’ll see,” cooed Mom as she watched me eat my dinner. “I already see an improvement in this pregnancy over the last one.”
All I could do was smile at Mom’s last comment. I want to make Mom proud of me. I don’t want anything to happen to any of my babies-not if I can prevent it. I will do everything in my power to make sure both are born healthy and strong this time.
We finished dinner. Uncle Vladimir and Aunt Freya drove with us to the airport. I hated that we had to say goodbye to them but I would be seeing them again soon. I was just glad to be going home to my home but I also dreaded the long plane ride home. Yuck.
Alpha Richard joined us on the plane ride home which made sense really because we were all going to the same place. Once we all got settled on the plane, Austin needed to be fed again. I nursed him and he once again settled down to go to sleep. I got comfortable on one of the couches and went to sleep tucked closely next to Austin and Anthony.
I don’t remember much about the plane ride. I slept off and on through the entire ride. I was somehow moved from the couch to the suite in the back. I nursed Austin when he needed to be and then diapered him, but after that, Mom took care of him. I somehow fell right back to sleep afterward. Mom said it was because I was pregnant and I was tired. Okay, whatever.
When we arrived, we still had over an hour to drive home. I don’t even remember the drive home. I remember waking up in my bed next to Anthony.
“Good morning, my love. How did you sleep?” asked Anthony after he kissed me.
“Um … I guess I slept good. I don’t remember very much of the trip home. How did you sleep? How are you doing today? Sorry I wasn’t much help to you my love,” I professed as I cuddled with him.
“I slept very well next to you as I always do. No worries my love. You needed the rest. Come, let’s get a shower. Dr. Adams wants to perform a check-up on you and Austin today. So, we need to get up and get you something to eat. What do you say? Hmm?” inquired Anthony with a wolfish grin on his face.
“Okay, we can do that. Where’s Austin? I know he probably needs to be fed,” I asked Anthony.
“Your Mom already took care of him. Come on, I need to take care of you,” purred Anthony.
“How did my Mom already take care of Austin? I need to nurse him,” I inquired totally confused at this point.
“She gave him a bottle of formula. Dr. Adams said to give him formula as a supplement because you cannot sustain him and the babies you are carrying. No worries my love. Come on, let’s go,” purred Anthony once again.
“Okay,” I replied still feeling unsure of the formula and everything else. I allowed Anthony to lead me to the shower.
We had our shower-and no sexy time because I wanted to get to Austin as quickly as possible. We got dressed and went to have something to eat. We made our way to the pack hospital so we could have our check-ups. Austin is growing healthy and strong just like his daddy. I, on the other hand, need to put on some weight according to Dr. Adams. I need to take it easy and not stress out so much.
Okay, I’ll get right on that Dr. Adams. I explained that the trial took a lot out of me. Now that it is over, I can calm down and relax. Thus, we are now back home where we belong. I promised to take it easy and take naps in the afternoon.
Oh, that was not good enough for Dr. Adams. Oh no! I’m having TWINS which means that I need twice the calories. I need more sleep. I need a nap in the morning and afternoon. What?! Can we compromise? I can take a nap in the afternoon for now and as my pregnancy progresses, I will incorporate a nap in the mornings. This is what I asked him. He said he would think it over. He thought it over for a whole two seconds before he vetoed that.
WHAT THE HELL PEOPLE! So now I have to take a nap in the morning and afternoon along with eating snacks, so I am eating six meals a day. How in the world am I supposed to eat all this food? I am going to look like a blimp before I give birth to my twins.
I just looked at Anthony who looked at me and said in our link, ‘I will love every inch of you. Don’t you worry baby. You are my everything, you are my love, my heart, and my soul. Don’t you ever forget that.’
Now how can I be upset when he goes and says stuff like that? Huh? I just want to jump him when he says stuff like that. My wolf was panting for her mate at this point. She wanted to jump him right here and right now.
‘Down girl. I’ll take care of you shortly. We have to get home or in a secluded spot before I can take care of you. You know I’ll take good care of you,’ purred Anthony in our link.
‘I know you will,’ purred my wolf. She was desperate for him to show us some love.
We left the pack hospital and went to the pack house to see Alpha Richard. He wanted to see us after our visit. He needed to know what my status was and what to expect over the next couple of months. Many changes were on the horizon. Many changes indeed.