Path of the Hunters [PART 3]

"Absolutely."

"Mani." Sol appeared at the door. "Crescent's settled in. She's comfortable, and the wound's been covered."

Mani turned to the hedgecat. "Good. You can help Nova get Aurélie on the bed."

Aurélie blew out a breath. She wanted to say that she didn't need help, but her mind was frazzled. Twins. She was having two babies. She looked up. "Nova..."

Nova placed a hand over hers. "Nothing changes. I still live by my promise: I'll watch over you and our children, no matter what."

She didn't doubt it for a moment. "Je t'aime," she whispered.

"I love you, too," he said, giving her a short kiss on the lips. Then, he hooked an arm under hers, bringing her arm to support his shoulders. "Sol, get ready to move the wheelchair. Ready, Aurélie?"

She nodded. "Oui."

"Here we go!..." With a grunt of effort, he lifted the dog out of and away from the wheelchair, which Sol promptly carted away. "Okay, to the bed." He eased her to a sitting position on the bed.

She shifted back, gripping his shoulders as the next contraction hit. "Names," she managed. "Give me some so I can argue about them."

He chuckled, easing her into a lying position on the bed. "Should've talked about this months ago. Okay, girls first. I was thinking namimg the girl after my mother, Amelle."

"You can't say something that's actually a good idea," she muttered. "'Ow can I argue?"

"That's the idea," he said with a grin. "Here's a bad one: name the boy after my father, Issac."

"Bof. Amauri after my grand-père." She sighed as the contraction passed. Over the past few months, she'd managed to keep in sporadic contact with her grandparents. She'd known they wouldn't be able to hide behind their masks forever... And when they'd slipped up...

"We'll choose two more during the next one," she murmured.

"Fair enough. On the subject, how are they holding up?"

She poked her belly, frowning. "They are aggravating." Then she pressed his hand to her stomach so he could feel their rapid movement.

"I meant your grandparents," he clarified with a frown. He wondered why he asked with her in this delicate state.

"I know," she murmured. "I was 'oping you wouldn't push it."

His gaze softened. "If you don't wanna talk about it..."

She sighed. "They're gone..."

His mouth hung open in shock. Then he nuzzled her softly. "...Désolé. This wouldn't have happened if I didn't..."

"Nova..." She kissed him lightly. "They knew the risks."

He sighed. "I guess. Still, I can't help but feel, in some way, responsible."

"Nova, you don't feel responsible for losing the remote," Sol mused with a smirk. "...You aren't growing a vagina, are ya?"

"Now is not the time, Sol!" Nova said, glaring at the hedgecat.

"Just curious," he muttered, snickering.

Aurélie laughed softly, biting her lip as the next contraction came on.

Nova turned back to the dog. "Right, names. Well, how about a Laroche, Colette? We all know how she fared."

"Mm... Oui, but... Non. She was a second choice after bad circumstance. Something else."

"Maybe Brigitte, after your grandmother?"