A month passed and my parents were coming to visit. They were coming early and I wanted to puke. I was scared, I was nervous, I was every emotion in the book! Their early trip also fell on the same weekend that Zachary and Scott were coming to visit.
Hannah was pregnant, she was so happy and I was excited for her. Garret was nervous but joyful. Benlyam and I were slowly teaching the babies to swim, with an instructor, of course. At first, we were just teaching them basic survival methods for safety but we decided to take lessons. It was so adorable to see them kick in the
water.
The twins were six months and were starting to mock the sounds Benlyam and I make. It was so precious, I just wanted to squeeze them. But I couldn't, they'd probably get hurt, and I'd hate myself if they were ever harmed.
We were both with the twins in their nursery, playing with them, and enjoying our time together. Lana was puffed up on her tummy, curiously looking around. She spotted Benlyam and laughed out.
He was playing with Layton but turned his attention to Lana at the sound of her giggles. Layton started to cry, trying to kick him with his small, sock-covered feet. I
frowned.
"Give," I held out my hands and Benlyam gracefully handed him over to me and he scooped up Lana.
"Hi, baby girl," he cooed at her and she giggled again. "Fu- shoot, you are cute. Little honey drop," he kissed her forehead and she grabbed at his face.
I looked down at Layton, he was looking at Benlyam and Lana.
"Layton," I called softly. He recognized his name and looked up at me, smiling, his dimples popping out. "How's my baby boy?" His eyes watched my lips, he subconsciously tried to mouth what I said.
God, I love him. I love all of them. My family.
I looked over at Benlyam who was now laying on his stomach, copying Lana's position. I smiled. She was rocking on her knees and Benlyam leaned forward to kiss her
head, she'd giggle each time.
I felt a tug on my hair and frowned at Layton. "No, sweet boy," I grabbed his hand and lightly removed my hair, he stared at me, saddened. His lips parted and he started to cry. They both quickly learned what 'no' meant and hated when we told them it. I always gave in, Benlyam tried to get me to ease off of it but I couldn't. He usually didn't give in.
"Sheesh, Flower, breaking his heart," Benlaym joked, reaching out his hand to rub my knee, Lana's curious eyes following. I bit my lip as I cradled Layton, he didn't want to quiet down, instead, started to kick my arms.
"Shh, Layton, baby, it's okay." He reached to my hair again, I brushed it behind my shoulder so it was out of reach to him. He cried again. He wasn't getting my hair, he liked to pull and I wasn't having that today.
('Give him a toy, he'll be okay.')
Listening to Sage, I quickly grabbed one of his red toys and his face relaxed as he yanked it from my hands. I huffed at him as he stared up at me with his big eyes.
"Little brat," I playfully scolded and he smiled. His toy fell out of his mouth into my lap and he tried to grab my hair again but I took his hand in mine. "Layton, baby, we don't grab hair," I softly told him, his eyes on my mouth.
"Don't listen to her, Lay, we love to grab her hair," I glared over at Benlyam as he cracked a smile at me, winking.
"Not appreciating your jokes, Bee," I blinked at him as he laughed, Lana copied him, interested. Layton wiggled his hand in mine, trying to release his hand.
"Who said they were jokes, Flower?" I blinked at him again, biting my lip to hide my smile, he beamed when he saw that.
I turned my head back to Layton who was frowning at me, his big blue eyes shining.
"Aw, Layton..." I smiled at him and he copied my expression. "Want your toy?" I put him on the ground by my legs, sitting him up.
He babbled as he reached out and grabbed his toy that I moved, teething on it. His one hand holding it in place and the other grabbing his foot. I brushed his dark baby locks as I kissed his head.
Layton was in his own world, enjoying my touch and his toy.
"Lana, you are so cute, baby," Benlyam tapped her nose and she blinked at his finger, then reached to grab it. "Honey, look at her eyes. They're just like yours, I fuc-"
"Hey! Watch your mouth," I frowned at him and he chuckled.
"Sorry, Flower," he sarcastically apologized.
"If they pick that up from you, I'll hurt you," I raised an eyebrow.
"I'd love that, Flower. Maybe save it for the bedroom," my mouth dropped and I went to smack his arm but he grabbed my hand before I could, kissing the top, winking
at me.
"You're going to give them bad habits. Hitting?" He shook his head and I smiled at him, rolling my eyes. "Anyways, what I was going to say. Look at her eyes, Flower. I love them so much, looks just like you."
I shook my head, giving Layton another kiss as he dropped his toy again, quickly picking it back up. “Okay, Bee."
"Lana, look at mommy," Lana just stared back at him, hearing her name and loving that her daddy was calling her. "Aw, you're so sweet. Look at mommy, baby," he pointed in my direction and her eyes happily followed his finger.
"Yeah Lana, that's mommy, look," Lana smiled at me when Benlyam moved his hand. "See? She has those eyes, so fricking precious," he kissed her cheek, "my little honey drop."
She laughed when he kissed her again, bringing her hand up to his face, almost falling completely over on her back but Benlyam lightly grabbed her. Layton turned to look at his daddy, interested in the noise.
He dropped his toy again and reached to him, crying out for attention.
"You want daddy, Lay? Yeah?" Layton waved his arms at him and I kissed him as I gave him over to Benlyam.
We played with them till they got hungry, we were slowly weaning them. They both enjoyed soft carrots the most, it was so precious to watch.
Benlyams brothers were coming over tomorrow, staying in the house. The day after that my parents were coming, they were staying in the pack house. I respected that, and somewhere in me, appreciated the fact that they weren't staying in his house with us.
That day came quickly.
I wasn't ready. I panicked about what to wear and decided with a grey sweater and some black jeans with Benlyam's help. I was so unbelievably nervous. What if they didn't like me?
They left for a reason....
I kept repeating Benlyam's words in my head, 'it'll be okay, don't overthink it'. Easier said than done. I was currently holding both my babies to calm myself, even if they were kinda heavy. I was lightly bouncing, they both enjoyed it.
"Okay, Flower, come on. They'll be fine, Scott has them, honey." Benlyam tried to grab Layton but I stepped back, turning away.
First, I wasn't going to leave my kids alone with Zachary and Scott yet, I didn't know them that well. Hannah and Garret were on their way. Second, I was procrastinating because of how anxious I was.
"No, no. Hannah isn't here yet, or- or Garret," I told him and he nodded.
"Okay, Flower, okay. We'll wait, you know they'll never hurt our pups, honey." He kissed my forehead, wrapping an arm around me for support.
Zachary walked into the living room area, nodding towards Scott that was sitting on the sofa, watching some movie he was engrossed in.
"Hey, Lee, Violet," I looked at him in acknowledgment. He sat on the sofa, looking at the twins then back at me. "Violet, I've been thinking, Scott and I need to give you a nickname."
He still has yet to hold either one of the twins. Scott has, Zachary hasn't. We haven't warmed up yet. This is their third time visiting us.
I looked at him, confused for a second. "Benlyam is Lee, we call the twins whatever, but Scott and I were saying how we don't have a nickname for you."
"It's true," Scott nodded. "We haven't thought of one yet, it'll come."
I gave a forced, polite smile. "You can call her by her name." Benlyam ignored.
"Chill, man. No need to get your panties in a twist, so fuc-" he looked at the twins for a second who were eyeing his lips, trying to copy sounds, "so tense," he reworded.
"Don't cuss in front of my kids," Benlyam growled out at Zachary who put his hands up in surrender.
"They'll be fine with us, Violet. You have nothing to worry about," Scott added lightly, turning back to his movie. I was worried, we never left them alone, we were always with them. Besides with Garret and Hannah, they were like second parents with us.
I trusted them both immensely, I was warming up to Garret, Hannah told me he was happy about it.
In his office, doing work, the twins would be there as well. In the kitchen, living room, walks, anywhere. Except when we went on runs, I kindly asked Hannah to watch over them, because as I said, I trusted them.
Almost on cue, there was a knock at the door before I heard it open.
"We're here!" I heard Garret's voice announce and a way of dread washed over me.
I didn't want to leave yet, I wanted to cry, actually. Hannah and Garret came into the living room and greeted everyone, and I was always happy to see Hannah.
"Alright, Violet, you can let go of them, they'll be fine, honey," Benlyam rubbed my shoulders and gave a kiss to both of the twins. "See you guys soon."
I bit my lips, hesitating to let them go, Benlyam had to take them from me. I gave them kisses before Benlyam dragged me away and out of the house. I was walking slowly down the porch steps as I held my hands together. Benlyam tilted his head at me with a small smile.
"Anytime now, Flower," he said lightly. I was so nervous, I wanted to puke, and cry, and everything else.
"I'm going," I muttered as I slowly stepped down. Benlyam wrapped his arm around me and kissed the top of my head. My stomach was jumping and Sage kept telling me to calm down.
I stopped walking and Benlyam halted, looking down at me, confused and concerned. I bit my lip as I looked at the ground.
"Lyam," I let out shakily, "what if I s-stutter in f-front of them" I cringed as I did. They're going to hate me... I felt my eyes water. My chest so heavy and I felt a growing
headache."I-I already a-am, Bee, they'll think I s-stupid."
"Hey," he called out softly as he lifted my chin up to him. My teary eyes met his blue ones. He held my shoulders, "Violet," he frowned, "it's okay, Flower. No one will think you're stupid, I'll say something if you want," he offered.
During his speech, my hands started to wring my wrists, a habit that Benlyam hated. His eyes dropped down to my hands and I felt dread and anger take over him, his hand quickly left my shoulder to grab my hands.
"No," he let out quickly, bringing my wrists up to kiss them. "Don't, Flower, everything is going to be okay, Flower," he held my hands in one of his as his other grabbed my chin lightly.
I bit my lip to stop myself from crying and Benlyam took a collective look at me before sighing out. He pulled my against him, my cheek resting against his shoulder as he let go of my hands, but keeping one.
"It'll be fine, Flower. I'm here for you, you know that. I love you, and fuck them if they say anything to you. You're fine, a beautiful, blooming Flower. My Flower," he ran a hand down my back.
I sniffled, keeping in my tears.
"I'm scared, Bee," I admitted against him. I was quiet.
He kissed the top of my head. "Don't be, Flower. I'm here for you." His embrace felt so warm and I felt so protected. I want to stay here forever.
He didn't pull back until I calmed completely down. He pressed a soft kiss to my lips. I dabbed my eyes with my sleeve, trying not to ruin my make-up because that would be embarrassing.
I glanced down at my outfit before I looked back up at Benlyam.
"Do I look skinny?" I asked him, checking his face for any answers that might deceive his verbal response. I chose a sweater with Benlyam's help because I didn't want to look like a skeleton in front of them. I was trying to get my weight up, but it was hard.
"You look perfect, Flower," he kissed me again and wrapped his arm around my waist, and started to walk. "I like this sweater, I'm going to buy some more," he spoke
mainly to himself. "It's soft," he mused as his hand rubbed the fabric.
I shook my head, "I'm good, Bee."
We neared the pack house and walked out to the calm patio. I slipped out of Benlyam's grip to grab his hand instead. There was a couple sitting with their backs to us at a picnic bench a few meters away.
I squeezed his hand as my stomach started to flip.
('There's nothing to be nervous about, Violet. Nothing will happen, you can handle yourself and mate is here.')
Sage's words eased me as I glanced up at Benlyam who pressed a quick kiss to my forehead.
"Milan and Mara Taylor," Benlyam called out as we neared them and my stomach pulled. They both turned around, bowing their heads at him.
A sense of familiarity washed over me as I looked at the man. My father. My mind tried piecing together now and my life years ago, only a few moments came back.
His face broke out in a huge smile, his smile wrinkles showing, his brown eyes became teary.
"My baby girl," he whispered, choked up and I felt my heart tug.
I don't like it when people touch me, I had very valid reasons why, and only certain people were allowed to. I'm not sure what was different this time because I let my father come up and pull me into his embrace, Benlyam silently allowed it and I wrapped my arms around him.
He was fit, obviously, for a werewolf, he would be. Not as big as Benlyam, he's mentioned that his area didn't have warrior packs, so they weren't as buff. Taller than me, about Benlyam's height.
My arms hugged into him and I felt his body shake slightly before he pulled back. A tear leaked from the corner of his eye and a small shower of guilt started to trickle
in me.
('It's okay, Violet, he's happy!')
"My Violet," he smiled. "Oh, baby girl, I missed you so much, I thought you were dead, baby girl," he pulled me back into his chest, hugging me.
I thought you were dead?
Um... I? Dead? Why not 'we'?
He released me and Benlyam wrapped his arm back around me. I looked over at the woman, my mother. She didn't have the same warm feeling, her gaze seemed to
scrutinize me.
The way she was looking my body up and down made me want to cry, instead, I just pressed into Benlyam. I felt his bitterness towards her as his grip tightened around me.
"Alpha Derek," my father respectively bowed his head. Benlyam nodded in his direction but didn't say anything.
My mother kissed her teeth as she looked me up and down again. She brought her cold eyes to mine with a disapproving, slightly scornful stare.
"Violet," she stated and I felt Benlyam get irritated. He subtly pulled me closer to him, his feral, dominant side wanting to come out because of how she looked at me. That side wasn't too fun, especially if you're on the receiving end, I've been there too many times to know. I didn't have anything to say so I just nodded.
"Well, we have a lot to talk about! How about we sit?" my father suggested, breaking the evident tension and I, again, nodded.
I felt pressured and thought if they heard my voice, they'd continue with their dislike. Benlyam and went around to the other side of the table and sat quietly as my parents did the same. My father seemed a lot more appreciative and open than my mother, who was sitting up straight with her hands collapsed together in front of
her.
"Violet, what would you like to know first?" my father lightly asked me and my mother shot him a glare.
Before I could answer, she cut me off, holding out her hand to Benlyam. "Alpha Derek."
Benlyam shook her hand, but inside, he was pissed at her but he didn't want to lash out at her because she was my mother. He also shook my father's hand to be polite in front of me.
She shook his hand but glared at me?
Benlyam's hand on my knee gave a small squeeze.
..."It's okay, Flower."...
I swallowed and told myself to calm down before I spoke so I wouldn't stutter and embarrass myself.
"What- um... what would you like me to c-call you?" My voice came out slightly shaky and I put my hand over Benlyam's, resting on my knee. I saw my mother silently scoff at my stutter.
..."You're fine, Flower. Doing just fine."... He gave another small squeeze to comfort me.
"Whatever you're comfortable with," my father spoke out, "if you want to call me father, dad, or Milan, I'm fine. I just want you to be comfortable," he nodded with a
smile and I nodded.
"Milan?" I questioned, really asking for approval and he shook his head.
"That's fine by me."
I gave my attention to my mother but she beat me to words.
"Mara." Her voice was crisp, short, curt. Benlyam didn't appreciate it.
"And you can call her Luna," he snapped right back at her and I took a deep breath, grabbing his hand from my knee to hold.
She started at me for a moment then looked at Benlyam, "Yes, Alpha," she nodded. "I'll tell you what happened," she turned her neutral self back to me, her brown eyes glistening with a mean emotion.
I nodded.
"We're obviously your parents, but, we didn't want you," my heart dropped and my heart stung. Benlyam growled but I rubbed his hand for him to calm down. That was very straightforward... I didn't like that, not one bit. Whenever Benlyam I talked about some things, we'd ease into it, he did it mainly for me because he knew I was still unbalanced with some things. Even if I was getting better, I haven't fully recovered yet.
"Let me rephrase that," Mara corrected, bowing her head at Benlyam's warning growl. "You came as a surprise to me and Milan. We weren't ready for kids, we were freshly nineteen and still just fiances."
So, they're about forty...
"And we were seeing the trouble of raising a child when you weren't ready, and we didn't have stuff for three." she was monotone the whole and it made me feel guilty like I did something wrong, but I knew I didn't.
"I had some family members in a different territory of Ohio, so Milian and I took the opportunity to go over, but we couldn't take you because my parents didn't know we had a child. Especially a bastard like you because we weren't married yet when I had you."
...Benlyam and I weren't married and we had kids...
...I wouldn't ditch them...
I felt Benlyam squeeze my hand.
"And because we weren't mates, they would've probably made me abort it if they knew because you were conceived out of wedlock. So, because I didn't want to just throw you to a pack of rogues on the way, I talked to Alpha Christopher," Benlyam and I have kept ourselves away from his name. So hearing it for the first time in a while, I'm not even sure how long, wasn't too pleasing.
I flinched and desperately tried to play it off so they wouldn't think I was a weak 'bastard' who couldn't do anything and it would give them justification for leaving me. But, I thought of something. I didn't care if they thought I was 'weak' because they left me. Either way, Benlyam let out a deep, dark growl at Mara. The table shook.
"You will not say his name in our presence!" he growled at her and I saw her eyes narrow at me for a split second before nodding her head at Benlyam.
"Yes, Alpha. I apologize." Mara spoke out, then brought her disapproving gaze to me. She didn't look at Benlyam like that, and I was her daughter... "Back to the story, we left when you just turned nine in his possession because he said he'd take care of you and we trusted him, of course." She didn't sound the least bit remorseful, did she know what he did? "That's about it. He was a close friend of mine and I knew you'd be fine with him."
Did she really just say that?
Honey... ha... no.
I felt my brows furrow, did she just not know? Please tell me...
"Did you k-keep in c-contact with him?" I asked, fearing the answer. I hated that my stutter was coming out. I kept telling myself to just calm down, but it wasn't too
easy.
I wanted Benlyam to hold me and kiss away all my stress until I calmed in his arms. But we couldn't do that right now, Benlyam knew that's what I wanted and he was pissed he couldn't. Actually, he could but he wasn't in respect for my parents, the little that was left.
I saw Milan start to shake his head 'no' but, she nodded, "for about two years afterward. After that, honestly, I didn't care to," she shrugged. I blinked at her, I felt the anger rising in me. Instead of yelling at her, I felt it was best to make a snide comment, Sage was more than happy to.
"At least I'll be a better mother than you," I muttered as I glanced down at my lap.
...Did I stutter?...
Benlyam gave my hand a proud squeeze and I looked back up to see Mara's furious stare at me.
"What was that? You have kids?" she gritted out and I felt livid. Those are my kids. Lady, I don't give a fuck who you are, no one is going to speak with that tone about
our pups.
"Is there a problem with that?" Benlyam growled out. She pressed her lips together and stared at me.
"Last time I talked to him, you were sixteen and he said you weren't getting pregnant so we both assumed it was a fertility problem. Bonus, actually," Mara spoke like she was having a casual conversation about the weather and not about the fact that she knew her teenage daughter was getting raped.
I felt Benlyam's hand shake in mine and I moved it in between my thighs, he immediately grabbed my leg to calm himself. I noticed Milan also tensed at Mara's words, he seemed genuinely disturbed at what she said.
Were they not on the same page? He stayed silent through-out the conversation, Mara was the dominant one?
"What w-was that?" I choked out. "You knew your child was getting s-sexually abused by this 'friend'," I brought my shaky hand up to do a finger quote, "and you did a-absolutely nothing? And- and you think it's a 'bonus' that I wasn't able to reproduce? What the hell are you on?" I felt my voice raise but I didn't care. Sage was pissed, Benlyam was pissed, and I was pissed.
"Go fuck yourself," I spat at her and I felt Benlyam's hand leave my thigh, wrapping around my waist to pull me into him.
She kissed her teeth and glared at me, then shrugged and stood up. "Well, this wasn't that warm. I'll be in the room," she spoke to Milan before walking away.
I felt the guilt come down on me and I pressed into Benlyam. I looked up at Milan who had glossy eyes full of regret.
Benlyam went to go say something but I beat him to it.
"A-aren't you going with her?" I just wanted to be alone with my mate. I wanted to be sad in his arms and let him take care of me.
"I'm sorry, Violet. I didn't know that she was in contact with him," he frowned and my thoughts were confirmed, they weren't on the same page. "I managed to call him around your thirteenth birthday, but he told me you passed," he coughed on some tears and I felt my heart tug.
"You're mother, Mara, was never too into the idea of parenting. I was excited and overjoyed when you were with us, but she wasn't and if you didn't see," he sarcastically widened his eyes, "she's quite controlling. Can't argue with that. I'm really sorry Violet, I truthfully didn't know." He bit his lip as he shook his head and I tiled mine, leaning on Benlyam's shoulder.
"It's okay," I mumbled out but he waved it off. He was right, none of this was okay.
"It's not, Violet. I'm so sorry I wasn't there for you growing up," I nodded. "So," he dabbed his eyes and cleared his throat, giving his attention to Benlyam. "Children? You're treating my daughter right?"
That warmed my heart at the thought of being cared for. Benlyam felt my mood get better and I heard him chuckle.
"I am," he smiled to Milan and I felt at peace, like my mother didn't just ditch me again. I was going to ignore that for now, for as long as I can today.
"Kids?" he asked and I felt my face flush, realizing what he meant. Can't get to the destination without driving there...
I nodded and moved my eye contact to my lap. I didn't even have to look to know Benlyam was smirking.
"Twins," he clarified and I got happy at the thought of our angels.
...I love them so much...
"Twins?" Milan repeated. "How old?"
"Six months," I added, glancing up. "Layton and Lana." He smiled.
"That's perfect. I'm so happy for you, Violet. And mates?" Benlyam naturally squeezed me into him at the reminder. "Truly a special gift."
I felt confused. "A-aren't you and Mara mates?"
He shook his head, "No, no. Not everyone has a mate, we just fell in love and ended up getting married," he shrugged off. "Some fights, but," he rolled his eyes.
I lightly laughed and he smiled at me. I like him. He wasn't rude like Mara, he was genuine and warm.
We talked for a few more minutes, I was enjoying his company, but we also had our kids to get back to. We eventually stood up, parting our ways, and saying temporary goodbyes.
"Maybe you should come over tomorrow?" Benlyam suggested, shrugging. "You can meet our pups."
"I'd love to!" Milan nodded.
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