Page 14 of Alpha Awakening
“One first of many.”
Turning on the music, Blake turned onto the highway leading south. As expected, traffic was a breeze, and the drive was easy going. Niev read for the first hour, then she watched the landscape pass by until the sun disappeared behind the horizon.
“Blake?”
“Yes, beautiful?”
“When the twins arrive, will you stay home with me for a few days?”
“Of course.”
“I know your mom will be there and all, but I would feel better if you were there too.”
“I’ll be by your side.”
“I’m afraid they’ll look so much alike that I won’t be able to tell them apart,” she admitted.
“Maybe we can find something to tell them apart at first. Maybe we can dress them differently until we know them better.”
“Better not bathe them at the same time,” she laughed, but he could feel darkness wrap around her.
“What is on your mind?”
“What if we really can’t tell them apart? Especially when they get older and they may choose to wear the same clothes. I would feel awful.”
“I think every parent of twins fears that. It crossed my mind many times too.” Knowing his touch would calm her, he again reached for her hand and caressed her knuckles with his thumb. “As they grow, they’ll develop different personalities. One may prefer to be held and carried while the other might like to be bounced. One might walk before the other or one just crawls more. Emlyn might love potatoes while Aruna will want the carrots.”
She looked at him, with surprise as if she hadn’t expected his words.
He grinned and quickly explained, “I read about it. I was worried too.”
She lifted his hand to her lips and kissed the back of it. “Thank you.”
Trying to take her mind off her worries he quickly asked, “How are you feeling? Need to stretch your legs or find a restroom?”
“Maybe within the next hour.”
Though they weren’t in a rush, he wanted to get as much distance covered as possible before he needed a break. After their first stop Niev fell asleep, her head resting against the glass, her hand still holding his. After over six hours on the road his eyes became tired, and he parked in front of a diner.
Rubbing her eyes, Niev gazed around a little confused. “Everything okay?”
“Yes, I just needed a break.”
Her eyes fixed on the clock. “Oh no. I didn’t mean to sleep for so long.”
He chuckled. “What else would you’ve done?”
“I should’ve kept you entertained.”
He laughed and opened the door. “How about we stretch our legs a little.”
“I’ll drive next so you can rest a little. I just need the GPS.”
“I’ll add the address before we drive off.”
He walked around the car and helped her out. Next to the diner was a small gas station with a shop attached. He followed Niev inside where she chose a few snacks and a cold drink. He had always appreciated her independence, and right now even more than ever.
It had been a while since he’d traveled this far, and his body wasn’t used to it. The past few times he’d been far off the territory he’d run as a wolf. Sitting still in a car while driving down dark, isolated streets was even more tiring than running for miles.