noun ~ a reflective surface that typically shows a clear image

NOVA

"Have you spoken to Charlie?" I asked Phoenix.

"I have." Phoenix mused, his chest rumbling with a laugh. "He is very excited to be an uncle."

"I can imagine he is." I muttered.

He squeezed my shoulder, his spare hand trailing through the dark waves of his daughter's hair. They rarely opened their eyes since they have been born, and when they have, they were so dark in colour, I couldn't tell what they would look like. Neither had much hair, but Freddy's lashes were blonde and Annabelle's were dark like her dad's.

"Why don't we just go to the pack house? You can get them all over with then and we can introduce them as part of the pack."

I shook my head immediately. "I can't do that to Charlie, or the others. They are my family, too."

"Okay then." He hummed. "I can invite the lot here tomorrow, and then when the twins are a week old we can introduce them to the entire pack.

"Okay." I agreed. "I think I can handle that."

"It's usually done sooner than this." He admitted. "But I didn't want to rush you, so only if you are sure."

"I am certain." I nodded, looking up into his eyes.

The hazel was bright, but the dark bags beneath his eyes were as heavy as mine. I smiled, leaning into kiss him softly. Warmth burnt at my gut and I pulled away to find his eyes again.

"I love you, you know." He smiled.

"You tell me all the time." I grinned.

"You are a great mother. I think I love you even more now than I ever did."

I raised an eyebrow. "So, you are saying you didn't love me as much before?"

His eyes widened. "No, no, I didn't mean it like that-

"It sounds like you did." I cocked my head. "You said you love me even more than you did, which means you didn't love me as much before we had the twins."

He cursed and I couldn't help but laugh at the panic in his eyes as he tried to come up with an excuse. I knew what he meant and was just enjoying him squirming. My agitation levels seemed to half since giving birth, and I found myself less stressed and more able to take jokes again.

"You're messing with me, aren't you?" He sighed, and I giggled. "This lack of sleep is killing me."

"At least I can proudly say I have a partner who helps me and not just leaves me to do it all myself."

"They're our kids." He tutted. "And there are two of them! Of course, I am going to help."

"You're a great Dad." I told him.

"You tell me all the time." He smirked, repeating my own words back to me.

"Well, you should believe it."

"I will believe it when the kids get through the first few years of their lives." He mused.

I laughed softly, jostling the twins slightly. Annabelle finished and moved away from me, her little hands stretching out of her blanket. Phoenix grumbled, reaching out to place his finger in her palm. She squeezed it tightly, pulling it with all her baby strength.

Phoenix laughed. "Look how strong she is."

He took her from me when I moved her to pull down my shirt, and I admired how gently he held her. His hands were so large that it constantly made me think how much damage he could do and yet, he caressed her like she was glass. She stirred, leaning into his touch.

"She's already using her smell so well." He practically purred.

I grinned as I watch him fawn over his daughter. "You thought you would never hold a baby, and now look at you."

"It's not that I didn't think to. I just didn't want to hold somebody else's." He muttered, shrugging. "I wanted the first baby I ever held to be my own."

I made a soft sound of admiration, my wolf preening in my mind. It took little for our hormones to bounce back like a tidal wave. If I wasn't sleepy, I was agitated, horny, or crying over miniscule things. Just this morning I was crying because I couldn't understand how tiny the twin's feet were.

Celimene was angry or horny. There seemed to be no in-between. I didn't blame her, though; my wolf had been preserving her energy for months now. The birth paired with Phoenix's bag of blood not only healed me but brought her back to full annoyance-I mean, life.

My wolf huffed, puffing her chest up before laying back down. We had not shifted yet, and I was expecting the moment we did. I was healed, but it had been a while, and I feared I may lose control. That was another thing to accomplish with time.

Kate had reassured me it would be safe and Phoenix had supported my concerns, but I hadn't left the house once, and frankly, didn't want to. Kate also said we can return to sexual activities whenever I felt ready, as long as I gave it at least a week, thanks to the wolf genes. It was a bizarre thing to even think about, but the more my wolf gained her energy, the more it seemed tangible.

However, if I wasn't tired, I was aching. Plus, I was still bleeding. Phoenix was going nowhere near there any time soon.

My mate in question rose from his seat, and I blinked back into the present.

"Where are you going?"

"For a nap. You coming?" He smirked.

I eagerly nodded, pushing myself from the sofa to take his hand. With a twin for both of us, we made our way downstairs and into our bedroom. We had attached a cot to either side of the bed, but last night, we found the twins slept better when they were beside each other. Phoenix settled Annabelle in their fist before I slid a sleeping Freddy next to her.

Shedding my clothes, I climbed into the bed in just my underwear, Phoenix doing the same, pulling me into his arms. I felt his face fall into my hair, chest rising as he inhaled. My hands pressed to the warmth of his chest, feeling his heart beat softly beneath his skin.

"Get some sleep whilst we can. I fear we are in for a long night." He mumbled, kissing my forehead.

I pressed soft kisses to his bare chest, enjoying the way he shivered and exhaled shakily. I hoped we got at least two hours. The constant in and out of sleep was more draining than the lack of sleep itself. My mind was always hazy. Zombie Nova having to change to become more human as the days went on.

***

Phoenix and I started our day at a surprising six am. After spending most of the evening and the night in and out of sleep, we gave in by the time the sun rose. As I fed the twins, Phoenix showered, and once that was done, we swapped places.

Exhaustion washed over me, tears pooling in my eyes as I contemplated even bothering. I wasn't sure I could even go on anymore, my body constantly tired and aching.

But I had to. I couldn't sit in my sweat and boob-juice forever.

So after forcing myself into the jetstream, I took a little extra time, waking my exhausted body up with colder than normal water.

Stepping out of the shower, I frowned as I saw myself in the anti-fog mirror. Turning to my side, I eyed the disfiguration of my stomach. Despite having Lycan genes, there were faint white stretch marks across the sides above my hip bones.

My skin was still saggy, slowly deflating from the mass of babies I had to carry. It was strange; I never pictured still having a bump, even after having the twins. I weirdly thought it would just disappear. Although the visuals of my body didn't match my mental image, I accepted it. I had carried two babies, an equivalent of around eleven pounds in baby weight alone.

I knew my body was going to change. It was just hard to understand.

Sighing, I left the room in only my towel and searched through some comfortable clothes to wear. I could go the normal route and wear some of the maternity clothes or I could be normal and wear some of Phoenix's...

Of course, I chose Phoenix's.

Pulling on an old graphic tee he only wore when sleeping, I chose my signature black leggings and socks. I secured my hair in two French plaits down the side of my head; plaits being the best style that would need the least maintenance.

Leaving the bedroom, I followed my nose and found Phoenix and the twins in the kitchen. I lay Annabelle in a bassinet, fast asleep once more, and for a change, it was Freddy who lay awake. Phoenix was busy making toast one handed, and I cooed at Freddy as I approached. His dark eyes watched the empty space, only blinking when I suddenly appeared close.

I inhaled his scent, kissing his nose. We had yet to bathe them properly, wanting to leave their skin the longest to adapt to their new world whilst the vernix on their skin settled. Plus, it meant they smelt of our family, something my wolf was strong for. She didn't like it when they smelt of someone else, so I knew she wouldn't like it if we bathed them so soon.

They were five days old now, and Kate said a minimum of a week is like a God-zone for baby marination. Plus, it gave me and Celimene time to calm our raging hormones.

I felt better, though. I felt calmer.

Today was going to be a big day because my closest were coming into my home. They were going to intrude on the premises, but Phoenix had them promise they go nowhere else but the lower floor. We had agreed on it last night before bed, finding it was the least occupied place of the house.

My wolf didn't like her nest being disturbed, only keeping peace with Pollux from time-to-time. He was our brother, our blood, and so his scent wasn't too imposing. She had claimed he didn't have a large amount of hormones compared to the other wolves, his inner beast rather calm and accepting of their place.

It kind of summed up Pollux, to be fair.

"Feeling better?" Phoenix wondered.

Blinking up at him, I gave him a soft smile. "As much as I can."

He chuckled, sliding me a mug. "Well, grubs up."

"What is it?"

"Use your nose, little pup." He teased, taking his plate and mug in one hand.

I stared at him for a moment, finding him wildly attractive as he juggled both and a newborn. His hands were so large and arms so strong... Ugh. It was only... eight in the morning and was already trying to gain an upper hand on these hormone-driven thoughts.

Shaking my head, I looked back down at my mug and eyed the milky substance. It was like it caught me in time, my eyes widening as my nostrils flared. That sweet yet bitter smell of coffee flooded my senses, and without another thought, I raised the mug to my lips and took a sip. My mouth almost ran dry at the burning taste, but my tonsils and my heart raced with a rush of warmth.

Coffee.

Finally.

I had coffee!

I squealed with delight.

It wasn't too hot that I scolded myself, but I did have to pull away after only one mouthful to smack my tongue against my lips. The toast was next, smothered in Nutella. It melted in my mouth, sugar dancing with the coffee on my tongue.

"You okay over there?" Phoenix laughed.

I moaned dramatically. "Just making the most of this moment."

"Come sit down and make the most of it." He tutted.

I hummed, grabbing both my plate and mug and making my way toward him. He had settled Freddy on his lap, the infant's knees and arms curled up as he slowly stirred on his daddy's lap. He was so tiny.

I cooed at him again, unable to resist his adorableness. His arms were so thin and breakable, legs so tiny and cute...

Phoenix had dressed them whilst I showered, and he was in a blue onesie with white stars. That was another thing I was not as prepared for; the tininess of our babies. Annabelle fit in newborn okay, a little long in the arms and legs, but it didn't swamp her. Freddy, however... Phoenix had to request and purchase premature clothes and have someone deliver them. There were few; most wolf babies being born large or late, so they had to travel to other lands for them.

We stayed in the living area for most of the morning, and I became hyper aware that the others were due around eleven, unable to get comfortable.

People were coming, and I had to be prepared. My stomach was curling with anxiety, and the only thing that distracted my mind was the twins. They did little, just fed, slept, cried and waved their arms around. They were rather calm, and I welcome the peace they brought me. I even managed to fall asleep with Annabelle in her bassinet beside me. Phoenix had taken Freddy elsewhere, his stomach curling as he tried to poop. It wasn't the most glamorous things of parenthood, but when he was gone, I drifted off to sleep again.

It only woke me when Phoenix came up to me and gently stroked my face. I had slapped him away at first, but the crying call of Annabelle drew me back to consciousness. That was her hungry cry. Yawning and stretching, I rose from the sofa and reached for her. My breasts were sore, and ached, but I felt good knowing I was doing it alright so far.

"What time is it?"

"They are already here." Phoenix murmured. "They are downstairs."

"What?" I startled, my eyes widening. "You should've woken me."

"They have been fine, Nova." He smiled softly, running a hand through my hair. "It had only been twenty minutes. I have sated them with tea and biscuits for now."

"Biscuits? Charlie ate them?" I rose an eyebrow.

"Well, he specifically asked for cake, so digestives were what he ended up with."

I laughed softly, rubbing my eyes with my spare hand. "Okay, I will do this, and then we can take the babies to them."

Just as I said that, Freddy decided he wanted feeding from his own bassinet. I had been asleep for around an hour, and must've missed his return. Phoenix passed him over, smoothing my hair again before kissing my forehead. I smiled at him through tired eyes, only to become startled when a flash alerted me to his mobile.

"Did you just take a picture of me?" I scowled.

"No..."

"Phoenix..."

"My love?"

I grumbled. "I am a mess. My hair, my skin, my.. my boobs are out!"

"Yet you never looked so beautiful. Despite what you may think, you are a magnificent, holy creature." He grinned.

"Suck up." I muttered, blushing.

"Motherhood has its challenges, Nova, but you are always beautiful." He shrugged. "Trust me, in ten years, you will be happy to see the so-called mess you once were."

I sighed, knowing he was right. "You better go check their biscuit supply. One packet between seven wolves will not go down well."

"You think I am a novice?" He snorted, pocketing his phone. "They have three packets and two teapots! I am prepared for this, Nova, nothing to worry about."

Question of the Day:
What movie have you watched the most?