✧

Seated in a  rocking chair, Ophelia cradled her rounded and swollen abdomen with a mixture of wonder and affection. Her fingertips gently glided over the gentle curve, a silent connection to the life growing within her. The room was filled with the soothing melody of classical music, creating an atmosphere of calm anticipation as she imagined the moment she would meet her unborn babies.

But as her fingers traced the surface of her belly, her smile of reverie transformed into a look of bewilderment and unease. A distinct imprint of a hoof marred the smoothness of her skin. Confusion clouded her thoughts, giving way to a creeping sense of fear that coiled in the pit of her stomach.

In an instant, a jolt of pain tore through her body, causing her to clutch her abdomen in distress. The pain was as sudden as it was intense, and she struggled to process what was happening. The air seemed to thicken with an electric tension, her heart racing as she grappled with the unsettling experience.

Abruptly, a blinding, radiant light erupted from outside the window. It flooded into the room, casting ethereal shadows and illuminating everything in its path. The brilliance was almost too much to bear, causing her to shield her eyes as she squinted against the intensity.

Through the incandescent glow, a form materialized, gradually taking shape within the luminous halo. The outline of a figure became discernible, shrouded in the radiance that seemed to emanate from it. Details remained obscured, shrouded by the sheer brilliance of the light that enveloped the mysterious presence.

Despite the blinding luminosity, an odd sense of comfort and warmth accompanied the apparition's presence. The radiant entity appeared to glide forward, the light rippling like liquid around its form. Ophelia's gaze fixed on the enigmatic figure, her heart pounding with a mix of trepidation and curiosity.

As the radiant being drew near, its luminous hand extended towards her stomach. A delicate, otherworldly energy seemed to flow from its touch, enveloping her belly in a soothing embrace. The pain that had wracked her body moments before ebbed away, replaced by an uncanny sensation of relief and serenity.

The distant chimes of Ophelia's phone broke the hostility of her dreams, and she emitted a groggy moan in response. Her hand, heavy with sleep, stretched out towards the bedside table to retrieve the source of the interruption. Lifting her head with a slight effort, she managed to answer the call and bring the phone to her ear.

"Hello?" Her voice, still laced with remnants of sleep, carried a sense of weariness. The two young men who were intertwined with her in bed stirred as well, roused from their slumber by the unexpected call.

Tate, curious to be part of Ophelia's pregnancy journey despite his spectral presence, whispered, "I wanna hear." His request prompted an eye-roll from Ophelia as she put the call on speaker.

"Is everything okay?" She inquired, sitting up with Elliot and Tate perched on either side, their ears tuned to the conversation unfolding through the phone.

"Heteropaternal superfecundation," Dr. Garret's voice echoed through the phone, introducing a term that seemed to awaken Ophelia further from her drowsy state.

"Hetero—huh?" Ophelia's fingers rubbed at her eyes as if to dispel the remnants of sleep clinging to her senses.

"Your twins have different fathers," Dr. Garret's voice announced, and Ophelia's alertness surged in an instant. All three listeners – Ophelia, Tate, and Elliot – responded with a harmonious chorus of disbelief and astonishment.

"I'm sorry, how the fuck is that possible?" Ophelia's voice betrayed her incredulity as she hushed the whispers from the boys in the background.

"It's an extremely rare occurrence, maybe one in a million," Dr. Garret explained, her words unraveling the improbable circumstances. "You must have engaged in intercourse with two different men during the same ovulation cycle, within a 48-hour window."

"Yeah, that sounds like me," Ophelia sighed, pushing her tousled hair from her face, earning a shared laugh from both Tate and Elliot, who seemed to revel in the lighthearted moment.

"Other than that," Dr. Garret continued, her tone more professional, "everything else seems to be perfectly fine with the babies. They've passed all the tests with flying colors."

"Um, well, thank you, Dr. Garret," Ophelia acknowledged, her gratitude underscored by the mix of emotions swirling within her. As she ended the call, she let out a long, contemplative sigh, glancing between Tate and Elliot. "What the fuck?"

"We have magical cocks, Elliot," Tate playfully boasted, his grin visible even in his incorporeal state.

"I think you're right." Elliot chimed in with a smirk, the teasing atmosphere continuing.

Ophelia, unable to stifle her laughter, rolled her eyes at their antics. "You guys are infuriating."

Tate's curiosity took a mischievous turn. "So, who was better? Me or Elliot?"

Unfazed, Ophelia retorted with playful exasperation, "Why don't you two find out for yourselves, if you're so curious." As she began to extricate herself from the bed, Elliot and Tate shared a knowing look and acted in unison, swiftly wrapping their arms around her to prevent her escape.

"Oh no, you're not going anywhere," Elliot warned, his tone filled with amusement as they pulled her back onto the bed, enveloping her in their embrace.

As Ophelia found herself ensnared by the playful antics of Tate and Elliot, her escape attempt thwarted by their synchronized effort, a chorus of laughter and light banter filled the air. The three of them seemed to revel in the moment, the weight of their earlier revelations momentarily set aside in favor of this shared camaraderie.

Tate's fingers traced playful patterns along Ophelia's arm, his touch sending a shiver of delight through her. "You see,  we're here to entertain."

Elliot leaned in, his lips grazing her ear as he added, "And perhaps amuse you in more ways than one."

Ophelia couldn't help but laugh, their closeness and banter creating an electric atmosphere. "Double the trouble, how will I ever escape?"

Tate's eyes twinkled mischievously. "You won't."

Elliot's fingers gently brushed a strand of hair away from Ophelia's face. Their moment was interrupted by the playful chirp of Ophelia's phone, signaling an incoming message. As she disentangled herself from the embrace of Tate and Elliot to check her phone, she found a text from her father letting her know that breakfast was waiting downstairs.

Ophelia's mischievous laughter rang through the room, a mixture of amusement and nerves as she shared Joey's message with the boys. "Seems like we've received a breakfast summons."

Tate's anxiety was palpable, his voice betraying his concern. "Your dad's down there?"

"Yup." Ophelia smiled reassuringly.

"And you want us to go down there?" Elliot's question mirrored Tate's unease.

"Mhm." Ophelia nodded, rising from the bed and gesturing for them to follow her. "It's time to face the music."

Tate and Elliot exchanged a worried glance before dutifully climbing out of bed to join her. "I'm terrified," Elliot admitted as they followed her down the stairs.

"He won't do anything if I'm there, don't worry." Ophelia teased, her attempt to lighten the mood evident as they entered the kitchen. Her father sat at the table, engrossed in his phone and coffee, while Moira efficiently arranged plates of food. 

The trio's entrance caught her attention, and her gaze lingered on the boys before settling on Ophelia. A faint smile curved Moira's lips as Ophelia took a seat beside her father, with Elliot and Tate seated across from them. Tension hung heavy in the air, and Joey put down his coffee, his gaze fixed on the two young men before him.

"Do you guys live here now?" Joey's sarcastic question alluded to their seemingly ever-present presence.

Tate chuckled nervously. "I actually did use to live here."

Elliot shot Tate a cautionary look, trying to temper his words. Ophelia furrowed her brow, puzzled by Tate's comment—she thought he didn't remember his past. The boys expressed their gratitude as Moira set plates in front of them and retreated, casting them warning glances.

"Moira, come join us," Ophelia urged, motioning to the vacant seat at the table.

"If you insist," Moira acquiesced, preparing her own plate and taking a seat. As they all dug into their food, the silence became palpable, prompting Ophelia to break it.

"So, the doctor called," Ophelia began, her gaze shifting between her father and Moira.

"Is everything okay?" Joey's concern was evident as he took a bite of his eggs.

"Yeah, yeah, everything's fine." Ophelia waved off his worry before continuing. "Apparently, I have this thing called heteropaternal super..." She stumbled over the term, but Elliot came to her rescue.

"Heteropaternal superfecundation," Elliot corrected, savoring his meal.

"That's when twins have different fathers, correct?" Moira's curiosity prompted her question as she enjoyed her own food. Joey's shock was evident; he knew what the term implied.

"Yeah," Ophelia confirmed with a nod. "It's crazy."

"Let me get this straight." Joey pointed his fork first at Elliot, then at Tate. "You are the biological father of one baby, and you are the biological father of the other one?"

Tate and Elliot exchanged a nervous glance before looking back at Joey and nodding in agreement.

"Perfect," Joey, with a deadpan expression, struggled to maintain composure as he faced the unexpected perpetrators of his daughter's pregnancy.

"Knock, knock." Constance's entrance into the kitchen diverted everyone's attention. She held a bouquet of flowers, disregarding her son as Ophelia stood, revealing her blossoming stomach. "My dear, look at you."

"Hi, Constance." Ophelia forced a smile. Her interactions with this woman were hit or miss, but she chose politeness. After all, Constance was the grandmother of one of her babies. "Always a surprise."

"I've been thinking about you so much, about this-" Constance glanced toward Tate and Elliot with disdain before returning her attention to Ophelia, "ordeal you've been through and being pregnant on top of everything else."

Tate shifted uncomfortably, and Elliot, noticing Tate's discomfort, looked towards him.

"Is everything all right with the babies?"

"They're growing super fast," Ophelia explained, placing a hand on her belly. "I can't stop eating."

"That's a good thing," Constance smiled, walking up to Ophelia and placing a reassuring hand on her arm. "Oh, Ophelia, I want you to know that I intend to be there for you. Whatever help you need."

Ophelia nodded, and the uneasy onlookers continued with their activities in the kitchen.

"I mean, babies are my thing. I have a special gift," Constance continued, earning a scoff from Elliot. She shot him a glare before refocusing on Ophelia. "I know the pain of being doubted by everyone around you. It ravages the soul." Constance, lost in thought, remembered the flowers in her hand and extended them to Ophelia. "Oh, these are for you."

"Thank you, Constance. For everything," Ophelia said, forcing a smile and feeling a genuine warmth toward the woman standing before her as she accepted the flowers.

✧

Ophelia sat at the island in the kitchen, the rhythmic stirring of her tea echoing her contemplative mood. "Moira?"

Moira turned toward the young woman, pausing her counter cleaning. "Yes?"

"Can I ask you something?" Ophelia looked up to the redheaded woman, her hand dropping from the spoon. "And I'm sorry if it's too personal."

"Of course," Moira nodded, casually leaning back onto the counter.

"Do you remember your life before you died? How you died?"

Moira tilted her head in thought before speaking. "Yes, but I won't delve into the gory details; wouldn't want to upset an expectant mother."

"What about Tate and Elliot?" Ophelia leaned forward, her belly allowing her arms to rest on the island.

"I've already told you that I know those boys are up to no good," Moira explained, glancing back at the counter. "Well, I'm not one to belabor a point, but where has the time gone? You must be famished."

Ophelia forced a smile. "Starving."

Moira walked over to the fridge. "Constance dropped by with another delicious delicacy."

Ophelia grimaced at the thought. "Oh, no. Really, you don't have to cook for me. No need to go through the trouble."

Moira turned back to face her, a plate in hand as she shut the refrigerator. "No trouble at all. It's served raw, so you and the babies get the full measure of vitamins." Moira placed the dish down in front of her before opening the lid, revealing a brain. "It's the most nutritious organ of them all. It came from an organic farm."

"You're joking, right?" Ophelia stared down at the organ.

Moira shook her head. "For the babies," she reminded before departing the kitchen to attend to her other duties.

Ophelia huffed, inspecting the dish. While the thought of eating this grossed her out, she couldn't deny that it looked surprisingly appetizing. She pursed her lips, picked up a fork, and speared a piece. Halting at her lips as she considered what she was doing, she took a bite. Surprisingly, it was quite good, so she continued to eat it.

✧

Ophelia scrutinized her reflection, her gaze fixed on her swollen belly. The impending arrival of the twins brought on a surge of anxiety, and an unsettling feeling nestled in the pit of her stomach. "I've been thinking."

"Mhm." Elliot's voice floated from his spot on the bed, where he absentmindedly threw a red ball up and caught it repeatedly.

Turning to face both boys, Ophelia inquired, "How is it you two know so much about this house?"

"We told you, Opie," Tate shrugged, sitting crisscross in a chair. "We grew up in the neighborhood."

"Mmm, okay." Ophelia blinked, moving toward her laptop to pull up a specific article. Elliot caught the red ball, freezing in place as a worried glance passed between him and Tate when they noticed her actions. "Ah ha. There it is." Ophelia turned her laptop around, showing the screen to Elliot. He began to scroll until the headline and photographs stood out prominently. Tate hovered over Elliot's shoulder, a look of despair crossing both boys' faces. 

"You know, I actually believed Billie Dean when she said you two were just childlike souls not knowing what's going on." Ophelia stepped forward, the rush of pregnancy hormones evident as she snapped the laptop closed. "But you've known this whole fucking time, and you both have been gaslighting me."

"Phi," Elliot whispered, closing his eyes.

"It's not like that, I swear," Tate began to panic, his eyes starting to water.

"Oh, so you guys didn't shoot up a college and kill like thirty fucking people?" Ophelia continued, tilting her head to the side.

The room felt heavy with tension as Ophelia awaited an explanation, her eyes narrowed in accusation. Elliot's ball dropped from his hand, forgotten on the bed, as he and Tate exchanged uneasy glances.

"Ophelia, you need to understand," Elliot began, his voice strained. "We never meant to hurt you. We wanted to protect you."

"Protect me?" Ophelia scoffed, her frustration bubbling to the surface. "By keeping me in the dark? By pretending everything was normal when you both knew the truth?"

Tate, usually confident and composed, now seemed vulnerable. "That's all we ever wanted to do is protect you... since we first saw you. We didn't want you to get involved in our past."

Ophelia crossed her arms, a mixture of anger and hurt etched across her face. "I'm already involved. I don't know what the fuck is going on inside this house but It's not good. And the babies... I..."

Elliot opened his mouth to respond, but the words caught in his throat. The weight of their deception hung heavily in the air. Ophelia's patience waned, and her frustration transformed into a steely resolve.

"I can't trust either of you," she declared, her voice firm. "If we're going to face whatever's coming, we need honesty. No more secrets."

The room fell into a heavy silence, broken only by the distant echoes of the house. The trio stood frozen, each grappling with the consequences of the truth laid bare.

"If you ever lie to me again or if I find out there there is anything else you're hiding from me then this is done." Ophelia's stern gaze held both Elliot and Tate captive as she delivered her ultimatum. The gravity of her words hung in the air, emphasizing the fragility of their relationship.

✧

A/N: Sorry for the late update guys xD I got hyper fixated on another story that's pretty much a follow up of this one and I had to pump it out. This is a super short one compared to the others but whatever, only two more chapters to go to wrap this bad boy up.