It was ten o'clock before they got all the paperwork finished, and Sue was fairly bouncing in the passenger seat of Jacob's truck when they pulled into the driveway. She had been given a clean bill of health and just had a small bandage on the side of her head. While Jake pulled Billy's chair out of the back and set it up, Sue hurried into the house. The twins were playing on the floor in the living room, and they both made a beeline for her. She sat right down on the floor and pulled them into her lap, laughing and kissing them. "This is the best medicine ever!" She beamed up at Leah. "How can I thank you, honey - you and Jake?"
"It was our pleasure, Mom. You know how crazy we are about these kids. They've had their baths and breakfast, and I was hoping you'd get home before nap time."
"That's perfect," Billy's voice came from the doorway. "Your mom can rest while they take their naps."
"Don't you start on me, Billy Black," Sue warned. "I've done nothing but rest for two days, and I'm sick of it!"
Sue didn't want to let them go, but when Will fell asleep in her arms and Leilani could barely hold her eyes open, she let Leah and Jake put them in their cribs. They gathered up their belongings and left shortly after. Sue settled onto the couch with Billy, relaxing into his arms. "There really is no place like home," she murmured, cuddling into his side.
"It's nice having you home, in my arms again," Billy agreed. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her deeply, and she responded immediately. Her arms snaked around his neck as she returned the kiss, and his hands slipped under her sweater.
She grinned wickedly and moved one hand to his waist, fumbling with his zipper. "I never thanked you for taking such good care of me, did I?" Sue purred. She reached inside, her fingers closing around his...
"Anybody home?" Paul appeared in the doorway and blinked, backing out of the room quickly. "Ummm...sorry." He chuckled softly and called from the kitchen, "Rachel made you guys dinner and asked me to drop it off. I'm leaving it right here - on the counter - see ya!" And they heard the back door close gently.
Sue groaned. "I guess Leah didn't lock the door behind her. And I have a feeling we are NEVER going to live this one down."
Billy laughed. "Let's make sure the doors are locked and continue this...conversation in the bedroom."
Sue headed for the front door and twisted the lock, then did the same with the back. "I hope Paul didn't spoil your surprise," she grinned, waiting while Billy transferred to his chair and helping him push it toward the bedroom. "And all along I thought you were trying to get me to take a nap!"
Leah called in the morning to see how Sue was feeling. "I'm not interrupting anything, am I Mom?" she asked with a distinct snicker.
Sue sighed. "Have you been talking to Paul?"
"No," Leah replied. "Actually, Jake and Paul were on patrol together last night. Paul told Rachel, and Jake told Seth…"
"Okay, okay, I get it!" Sue laughed. "The whole pack has heard the story by now?"
"Yeah, pretty much. Sorry, Mom, but that's why you can never tell one of us a secret. Or have sex in front of one of us," she giggled. "Seth says he won't be home for lunch - he has an appointment with his shrink."
Sue chuckled. "Good one, Leah. I'll write that one down for my book. But seriously, thanks for checking in. I'm feeling fine, and the babies are still asleep. Is it possible they grew in the time I was gone?"
"They're always growing, Mom. But noticeably? I don't think so, in two days. Now don't overdo, okay? Call me if you need a hand with anything."
Sue shook her head. "I really am fine, and Billy's here too. We'll try to take some time out from fooling around to give the kids a bath later. Bye, sweetheart." She snorted and ended the call. Billy was wheeling himself into the kitchen for his morning coffee, and she smiled at him. "Looks like we're a legend, my dear husband - whether we like it or not." She kissed his cheek and went to the stove to make breakfast.
Jacob was watching Leah's face as she chatted with her mother. As soon as she disconnected, he grinned, shaking his head. "That was one for the books. Poor Paul. And did he tell you what was in the casserole?"
Leah shook her head. "No, but Rachel doesn't do that much cooking. When we have a family party, she usually makes...oh no." Leah started to laugh. "Her grilled Italian sausage with sweet and sour peppers?"
Jacob laughed. "Bingo."
Leah walked across the room and settled on Jacob's lap. "Thanks for helping me the last couple of days, Jake. It just makes me want a baby of our own even more."
The room was silent as Jacob hugged Leah to him. "Babe?" he whispered.
"Hmmm?" She leaned her head against his shoulder.
"How would you feel about a...litter?"
"Jacob Black, what are you talking about?" She held her breath, listening carefully. And there it was - faint, but strong and steady. A heartbeat. And another. And… "Three?"
He nodded. "Sounds like three to me." He kissed her triumphantly. "Never say never to a lady wolf!"