Page 35 of Triplets for the Dark Elf

It doesn’t take long after that for them to start climbing on the couch or chairs, falling asleep before their little bodies are even in position. Using magic is draining, and for it being their first time, I might have overdone it. I will definitely have to mention it to Annalise that they may want to sleep longer tomorrow.

But then again, they are kids with endless amounts of energy.

With them taken care of, I face the rest of the house. It is an absolute disaster, and as quietly as I can manage, I start to pick everything up.

I’ve just collected all their toys and started to make my way to the kitchen when Maeve stirs. “Mi…” she murmurs, twisting fitfully.

I can’t chance her waking the other two, so I rush to her side as her eyes struggle to open. “I’m here,” I whisper, scooping her up in my arms. “Daddy’s here.” I cringe as I realize my mistake, but she doesn’t seem to notice as she fists my shirt and clings to me.

I settle on the couch next to Hazel, Indie in the chair on my other side. I let my fingers run through Maeve’s hair, softly soothing her and feeling her body start to relax.

Tonight may have been tiring, but never have I felt anything so satisfying. And exhausting. In fact, I didn’t realize just how tired I was until my head tips back against the cushions.

Unable to stop myself, sleep sweeps in to consume me, and I fall asleep there with my daughter in my arms, the other tucked into my side, and my son snoring softly next to us.

19

ANNALISE

Ihad to stay late to make up for my quota since I wasn’t on time for my shift. I had expected that to happen, which is why I gave Miothro bedtime and dinner instructions. Usually I’m home in time, but I knew I wouldn’t be tonight.

Even though it’s an hour after their bedtime, I still somewhat expect the triplets to be up as I unlock the door. Hazel at the very least. They can be hard to get settled, and I knew there would be a lot of excitement with their dad here with them.

What I didn’t expect was to see Miothro passed out on the couch with Maeve curled up in his arms and Hazel pressed into his side. Even Indie is reaching toward his father from the chair he is in as they all snore quietly.

I pause in the doorway, not expecting the tears that come as I take them in. Fuck, I need to get it together, but there are some moments I am just not prepared for.

This is one of them.

All I want is to climb onto the couch next to them and let Miothro pull me into his side. I could probably get away with it, too, but it would be wrong for both of us.

So instead I force myself into the house, going to Indie first. I notice just how disastrous the rooms are as I carry my boy to his bed, but I don’t mind. I’m just glad they had fun.

I settle him in the bed without waking him, and I go back for Hazel. She stirs a bit more, whispering about snowflakes, which makes me smile. I brush her hair with my fingers until she settles in her bed.

Maeve is trickier. As I try to slide her off of her father, Miothro startles. Luckily, I manage to get her in my arms before he wakes her and he registers what I’m doing quickly.

By the time I come back into the living room, he’s already picking up. I grin at him, cocking an eyebrow. “Fun night?” I ask as I help.

He shakes his head. “Those children are demons.”

“Yeah.” I chuckle lightly. “But they’re cute demons.

“I don’t know how you did it, Annalise. Years of being a single mom? I could barely survive one night. You deserve some kind of award.”

I roll my eyes, even though I love his praise. “It’s an acquired skill. I wasn’t always so good.”

Once the living room is cleaned, we move to the kitchen. I spot a burned pot and lift, looking at him. “What…”

He shakes his head. “I got distracted.” He winces. “And I might have cussed in front of the kids.”

“Did Hazel get onto you?”

His jaw drops open. “Yes! I felt like the child. Especially…”

“Especially?”

Miothro sighs. “Especially when Maeve and Indie started to copy me.”