Page 54 of Triplets for the Dark Elf

Miothro shifts his shoulder, hiking Indie up against his side so he can throw the woman a small wave.

Her smile widens when she catches sight of me. “You must be Annalise! It’s so nice to finally have someone else around who will understand how to deal with these two.”

At that, Imris pokes his head over her shoulder, coming up from behind her. “What’s this about?”

I have to laugh. “Not to mention the multiple babies thing.”

Charmaine brightens right up. “Right! As soon as Imris told me Miothro gave you triplets, I thought to myself—”

“There must be something in the water,” I finish for her, my own smile coming over my face.

“Exactly!”

Imris rests his chin down on Charmaine’s shoulder. “I think they’re making fun of us, brother.”

Miothro snorts. “Apparently.”

I shift my arms around Maeve, trying to keep her from wiggling right out of them as the sounds of children’s laughter can be heard coming out of the house. “Ready to meet your cousins?”

“Yeah!” they all chime in together.

“Oh,” Charmaine coos. “They’re all so precious. I remember that stage. They’re all so snuggly and cute.”

Imris grins. “They only get more rambunctious with age.”

“Guess we’re in for it,” Miothro says, squatting to set both Indie and Hazel down onto their feet. “Because they’re already giving us a run for our money.”

Imris snickers. “Sounds about right.”

“Mimi?” Hazel grabs onto her father’s sleeve. “We go inside?”

“Mimi?” Imris mimics.

I bite the inside of my cheek, seeing Miothro’s cheeks flush slightly. “We’re… working on it.”

“Do theyallcall you that, brother?”

Miothro groans at him, earning another hearty laugh from his brother. “Don’t.”

“Oh, that’s so good. Mimi. I’m going to be using that.”

Charmaine shakes her head at both of them before looking at me again, sighing softly. “I’msoglad you’re here.”

I know she means it in a different way, but the words still hit me hard.

I’m so happy to be a part of this family. Even though I hardly know Charmaine, I can already tell we’re going to be good friends. Dealing with both brothers is already going to be a bonding experience in of itself, and now that all of our kids are going to be raised together, it’s going to solidify our bond that much more.

I smile back at her, feeling for the first time in my life, like I belong.

“Me too.”

Inside of the house, I hear a familiar voice yell, “Do I hear more grandbabies?”

All four of us laugh.

As Miothro stands, he wraps an arm around me, pulling me into his side to place a gentle kiss on my forehead.

“Come on, they’re all waiting for us.”