"That actually went better than I thought," Alexi admitted, once her sisters were gone.
"You need to have faith in your sisters. They love and trust you. I'm not saying they won't struggle with accepting it, but anybody in the same position would," Aaron said. "Now, we'd better put these little ones down for another nap."
"They're already asleep anyway," Alexi observed. "So when are we going to start interviewing nannies? You know we won't be able to handle them on our own for long, much less anymore. I'm already exhausted and so are you."
"Soon," Aaron promised. "My old friend David Rossi should be able to help, as he has many connections but then so do I."
"So is he immortal or..."
"He's a shapeshifter, but no, he's not immortal, which is a shame, as he's been a good friend to me and we're close. This is one instance I truly wish I could transfer some of my immortality to someone," Aaron said.
"I can guess how that feels," Alexi said. "If I had a friend that was that close, I'd want to give them some of my immortality too."
"Well, as far as I know that's not possible and the person in question would have to accept anyway," said Aaron with true regret in his tone. "Why don't you go take a nap after we put these cuties down for awhile."
"Only if you join me, as you're just as exhausted as I am," Alexi said. "We can take the baby monitor with us, so we know when they start to wake."
Aaron didn't really need the baby monitor as he woke to every little sound that was unfamiliar and he was already tuned into the babies heartbeat. When one of them started to wake he would know it and hopefully, get there before they woke their siblings with their loud cries. Still, the monitor made Alexi feel better, so there was no harm in having one. Aaron understood that Alexi and her sisters had not been raised in their ways, so felt more secure that she would wake up if they needed her if she had a monitor for them.
She would break the habit soon enough Aaron knew, once she realized that she always woke up when her pups needed her, no monitor required.
"That sounds like a very good idea," Aaron agreed. "I'll be happy to join you in dreamland for awhile. Besides, these little ones are going to keep us busy for the next few months so we might as well sleep while we can."
"That's definitely my philosophy until they can sleep through the night," Alexi said with a tired yawn. She followed her mate up the stairs being careful with the single little girl she was carrying. She wouldn't want to drop her after all and as tired she was it was possible.
Aaron snorted in laughter, but didn't actually respond with words, as he continued towards the nursery.
~~~Aaron and Alexi~~~
Alexi awoke suddenly at the sound of one of her babies starting to wail and immediately got out of bed yawning, even as she stumbled towards the nursery. Aaron who had woken as soon as one of the pups started to cry, watched her go and got up in case his mate needed help. By the time Aaron got there however, Alexi already had their son in her arms rocking him gently from side to side.
"Is everything okay?" Aaron asked softly.
"He just needed a diaper change," Alexi explained softly. "Now, that he's all clean and dry he's already drifting back off to sleep."
"Let's go back to bed then at least until the other two wake and also need a diaper change," Aaron said his voice still soft.
"Yeah, we might as well sleep while we can," Alexi said tiredly yawning again, as she put Evan gently back into his crib.
Alexi gladly followed Aaron back into their bedroom and immediately climbed back into her nice, comfy bed, cuddling in to Aaron's naked form, her butt against his cock.
"Good night, sweetie," Aaron said pulling the covers up over them both before settling back onto his pillow, curled up with his mate.
"Night," Alexi murmured, already mostly asleep.
It wasn't long before both were deeply asleep.
~~~Aaron and Alexi~~~
Epilogue
"It's so hard to believe that our first set of triplets are 5 Aaron," Alexi said quietly, as she watched her triplets wait patiently for Cordelia to help them into her car. Each child had a book bag slung over their shoulder filled with everything they would need for their classes. The triplets chatted quietly with each other about all they would be learning at school as they waited causing both Aaron and Alexi to smile indulgently from where they were standing in the doorway.
The two of them had already wished their children goodbye and to have a nice day on their first day at school. All three of the children had been excited to be starting school and had been up early to excited to sleep until their regular wake up time. Aaron had been amused by their enthusiasm, while Alexi had just wanted to go back to sleep.
Since she was heavily pregnant Aaron and Cordelia understood why, so had taken the triplets downstairs to allow Alexi a little time to sleep in.
It was really nice to see the children's enthusiasm for learning, as many children did not want to do anything when it came to school. They just wanted to goof off instead of learning to read, write and figure. Most children also didn't know that as young as they were the teachers would make it fun for their students. There would be a lot of arts and crafts and other activities to go with the learning of academics.
"Yeah, it is," Aaron agreed, even as he put his arm around his mate's shoulder. He had been so much happier for the last five nearly 6 years, ever since he and Alexi had also most literally ran into each other. The time since his children's birth's had gone by so fast it seemed to have literally flown away on wings.
His children were energetic, rambunctious, intelligent and mostly very polite, though they did have their moments, but then they were also very young. They were very protective of each other, especially Evan of his sisters, but then, he was the alpha of his siblings, so it wasn't like it was at all unusual. Aaron remembered being very protective of both Adrianne and of his brother Aric back in the century they had originally grown up. Of course, the same could be said of Alexi's brother Adam of his sister.
"I can't wait for this second set of pups to be born," Aaron said softly, even as he rubbed his mate's very pregnant belly tenderly. "After all, Evan, Jaida and Stephanie are now starting school
"Well, it won't be long," Alexi said, as she kissed Aaron tenderly. "This was a good time to get pregnant again, since our 3 are getting so big."
"Yes, they are old enough to be given chores, help look after their siblings to relieve the nanny," Aaron said.
"They won't mind helping out. They're good kids," Alexi said that, as she unconsciously patted her belly.
"For the most part that's true," Aaron agreed.
"You can't expect them to be perfectly behaved all the time, sweetie," Alexi told Aaron smiling. "They're children after all. They're bound to get into at least a little mischief now and then."
"I never did," Aaron said. "But then, I know we both originally grew up in a different era. There wasn't as much time for relaxing or having fun. But then I know in the time we were originally born kids were very responsible from a much earlier age then today."
"You were the exception," Alexi told him gently. "Even Aric got in trouble occasionally when he was a child."
"That's true," Aaron said smiling as he remembered. "Yes, they're mostly well-behaved kids."
Both Aaron and Alexi watched as the nanny Cordelia helped the triplets into the minivan that she owned, making sure their belts were buckled before climbing into the driver's seat.
Cordelia hadn't been the only applicant for nanny, but she had been the best of the lot. She had been a godsend at a time that they had both been exhausted taking care of their daughters and son. One baby was a lot of work, but three were even more so, and since Natasha their sister-in-law was very pregnant as well, she hadn't been as much help as she had wanted to be. Still she had helped out where she could until Cordelia had been hired and by that time Natasha was very heavily pregnant.
Still Aaron and Alexi would be grateful for all the help they had received and when they had thanked Natasha for her help considering that she was pregnant herself, she had simply said with a faint Russian accent that that was what family was all about.
Cordelia had shown up at exactly the right time, when Natasha wasn't as able to help them out because of her advancing pregnancy.
Cordelia had taken over fast and efficiently and soon Aaron and Alexi wondered how they had ever survived without her. Luckily, they would never have to find out.
Cordelia was simply part of the family, even though she worked for them. It was as simple as that.
"Well, I suppose we had better start cleaning up the mess from breakfast," Alexi said finally.
"Yeah, let's not leave it for Cordelia," Aaron said. "She does so much for us and for Aric and Natasha. I think looking after triplets is enough for her to do without cleaning up behind us too."
"This is why we get along so well because we help each other out," Alexi said smiling. "You're certainly different than most alphas I met before you. I doubt very much that they would've helped their mate cleanup the breakfast dishes or done any of the chores, even taking out the trash, as they likely would've considered it beneath them."
"Now that's a little unfair," Aaron said gently chiding his mate. "There are plenty of alphas just like me out there. I'm sure that a lot of alphas help out around the house so that they're mate and possibly the help aren't overburdened."
"Alright, maybe I'm being a little unfair," Alexi admitted. "David Rossi seems to know his responsibilities and treats Alex well, just like you do me. I'm sure they're more than the two of you out there that spoil their mate rotten."
Alex Blake had mated to David Rossi soon after Aaron had introduced them and so far she had seemed very content.
"We would've heard about it, if Alex wasn't happy I promise you," Aaron said chuckling. "Alex isn't one to keep her unhappiness to herself."
"Yeah, I know," Alexi said smiling, even as she rubbed her belly again. "I really like Dave. He doesn't treat me as if I'm stupid for one thing and I know very well that a lot of alphas do."
David Rossi and Alex Blake had mated three years ago. Aaron was quite pleased that two of his friends had found happiness together. He knew both Dave and Alex had been lonely for sometime, but now that they were together and had pups of their own both had shed their loneliness like a cloak.
"Well let's go clean up the kitchen area," Aaron said finally closing the front door, as Cordelia's car had long since disappeared. She would drop the kids off at school, make sure they they were able to find their classroom since it was their first day and then head out for a few hours of relaxation until the end of school.
This was one of those rare times where Cordelia would have more than a few minutes to herself, but that respite wouldn't last long since Alexi's second set of triplets would be born soon. Still, Cordelia truly loved children, so she didn't mind the work. The fact that she was also a shifter and knew about immortal ones was also very convenient, because that meant he and Alexi had not had to hide anything from her.
The two of them went into the kitchen and began to put things in the dishwasher and then Alexi cleaned the counters until they were sparkling.
"I love you, Aaron," Alexi told her mate softly.
"I love you to, Alexi," Aaron said smiling, as he took her in his arms and cuddled her to his chest. "How are you feeling?"
Alexi didn't have to ask what Aaron meant, as immortals never got sick. Pregnancy though was an entirely different thing.
"I'm fine," Alexi promised her mate. "I'm eager for our boys to be born and I don't need to explain the reason why."
"No, you don't," Aaron agreed, as he kissed her forehead affectionately.
"Still, let's get you off your feet now that the kitchen is all clean. We can have a few hours to ourselves before our children arrive home from their first day."
"That sounds wonderful," Alexi said smiling broadly. "Alone time is rather scarce when you have three small children."
"Yes, it is, even when you have help," Aaron chuckled. "Still, that's what family is for."
"Yeah, we are lucky that we have a lot of help," Alexi agreed, as she and Aaron walked into the den then sat on one of the couches, Alexi on her mate's lap.
Aaron didn't say a words simply held his mate tenderly against his chest, before he started placing kisses along her jawline and neck. He kissed her nose and then her ear.
"That feels wonderful," Alexi sighed cuddling deep into Aaron's chest.
"There's plenty more where that came from little one," Aaron told her and Alexi could tell that he was smiling against her neck.
"I've been so happy since I met you," Alexi told him softly, raising her head to kiss along Aaron's lower jaw. "My sisters adore you and not just because you make me so happy."
"I know and I'm grateful that they do," Aaron said. "It makes everybody less tense because we all get along. Your sisters could at least heartily dislike me and that would put pressure on you, so I'm grateful that they like me enough that they don't cause ruckus every time they visit."
"You won them over when they saw how lovingly you treated their new nieces and nephew and the fact that I was so happy didn't hurt either," Alexi said. "They saw you adored your kids and that you went above and beyond the call of duty by helping me out with our children, so I didn't exhaust myself. A lot of men don't help their spouses take care of the kids considering it the woman's job."
"Sad, but true," Aaron admitted. "Still, I love you so much that I'm happy to help out with whatever children we have."
"And with multiples I need all the help I can get," Alexi added patting her pregnant belly lovingly again.
"This is true for parents around the world. Those that have multiples that is," Aaron said.
Alexi made no comment simply cuddled as close to Aaron as she could, though considering her stomach that was harder than it should've been. She wouldn't be pregnant for much longer though, as she was only two weeks away from her due date, so she could have these babies at any time and then she and Aaron could cuddle much easier than they could at the moment. She also wouldn't mind losing the extra weight as carrying around a single baby was hard enough but much, much harder for multiples. She had to gain so much extra weight so the babies would be healthy that sometimes she felt so stuffed that she nearly felt ill. She understood the reasoning behind feeling so overfull though, as both she and Aaron wanted the pups in her belly to be healthy and not to much underweight.
At the moment life was just perfect. She had gotten her mate back, even though it had taken many centuries for her to be reborn. She had a satisfying career in Aaron's company having quit her old job to come work with her new mate. She had been an up-and-coming advertising exec and had been quite good at her job. She had earned plenty of bonuses, but the pay was much better at Aaron's place of business.
Aaron knew that she wouldn't be completely happy without a satisfying career, being able to support herself and her pups without depending on him for every little thing. Even though he had transferred 15% of his company to her, which meant that she got a check every month that was quite hefty and certainly enough for her to live comfortably on he still understood the need to be active and not just a mother. He didn't mind if his mate worked as it made her happier and more satisfied. It wasn't like he had to worry about her cheating and the kids were taken care of by his brother and his mate as well as Cordelia. It was a very satisfying arrangement all around.
He kissed his mate again on the temple and both of them simply sat there enjoying each other's company until they drifted off to sleep with the sunlight coming in through one of the windows.
Both of them had smiles of bliss on their faces, as they held each other even in sleep never once letting go.