Chapter 5

I paced around the office for a few minutes avoiding hitting the send button on Sylvi’s contact. I finally gave up trying to have a good excuse and placed my thumb on the sensor to unlock the phone. The doorbell rang as the contact info appeared. I grinned slightly at glad that something came up to distract me.

          Opening the door, I was greeted by Sylvi holding 2 cups of coffee. “Hey, I was just about to call you, I haven’t been able to get ahold of you for days. Are you okay?”

          “Of course, I was just tied up and not in a good way.” She winked at me.

          “Well consider me disappointed for you, what brings you by? I know I said I was going to call you but please, go first.” I said to her trying to keep my news for last.

          “That is what brings me by.” Sylvi waved her hand in a circle around my face like she knew what I was doing.

          “I have no idea what you are talking about, but I always welcome coffee.” I said as we both sat down on the couch settling in.

          “Astrid, I feel like we are tight on time so we should get on with it. Start spilling” She narrowed her eyes.

          “Well when you put it like that,” I explained everything that had happened from the first night when Lex showed up as a wolf then as a man. We covered up to the point of Kilian’s appearance and I dove right into trying my best to describe my weird relative. “I know it all sounds crazy, but I pretty much just need to make sure nothing is off at the diner tonight when Kilian and I come in to meet my uncle. We are going to have some other people around just in case. I was thinking maybe you could set something up randomly right before it is time, it wouldn’t be unheard of for your bestie to get special treatment…”

          “Okay girl, first I am not taking you in like you think, so chill. Second, I am beyond happy for you. No matter the crazy, finding a love like that should be celebrated!” Pumping her arms up and down, I couldn’t help but to laugh.

          “Good to know thank you, I love that I can always count on your support.” I gave her a smile and she continued.

          “Now that your caught up,” she said as her eyes looked away from me, “I need to tell you, I am a wolf. Also… I know Alexander. He has been in and out for the last 6 months or so. I think once he realized I was a wolf he could trust he wanted me to know more about you two. He isn’t very chatty but I know the basics. Sorry for making you say all of that, but I just needed to make sure everything was finally in the open. He and I have been protecting you.”

          “YOU KNEW!? What do you mean you have known him for 6 months and said nothing? Why didn’t you convince him to come to me sooner? Do you realize the time I lost?” I was furious.

          “Listen bitch, you know when you are met to. Don’t you think it was difficult for him to find you and see 3 beautiful daughters and a husband? To those of us out here, you have the perfect marriage. We dream of trying to find someone like that, and he didn’t want to ruin it for you, who can blame him. From what I have heard, when you remember your past, that is when shit hits the fan.”

          I was so angry I wanted to punch her. But her words carried weight. I do have a great life. I know what I need to do but that doesn’t make what I am doing any easier. I have thought about the changes my kids would need to go through, their mother now with someone else. I never wanted them to have a split household. I never gave it a second thought whenever Alexander was around, I just knew things would work out if he was there.

          “Your right.” I stated through my teeth. “That doesn’t change the fact that you have always been a wolf, and never told me. I love you and I feel like that is a huge piece of who you are. What do you know that I need to?” I asked as information settled.

          “I am pretty sure we are on the same page now. I will always stand by and fight along side of you. I will offer my life to save yours if the need be. I am your warrior and will always serve you with honor.” She was almost making it sound like a pledge.

          “Okay, whatever you say asshole.” I smiled at her shrugging it off.

          The next 45 minuets consisted of us devising a plan to make sure that everything would go smoothly tonight. We are meeting at the diner at 7:00 PM. After she headed back into work, I sent a email to Joseph Nicolas with the time and address. He replied within minutes, “Can’t wait, xoxo, Joseph”.

          I hadn’t seen Kilian since he came to grab a cup of coffee from the kitchen while Sylvi and I were lost in conversation. I decided to search for him and see what he was up to. I checked our bedroom, it was empty. I proceeded to check the other rooms in the house including the office, empty. He always spent time in the garage, so I headed there next. When I walked in the door to the upstairs room was open. I hadn’t been up there since we bought the house 10 years ago.

          “Kilian, are you up there?” I yelled into the empty stairwell. After waiting a moment, I decided to just climb up the steps and see if he fell or something. When I made my way to the top, I was shocked. I knew the space was huge, but it looked nothing like this when we moved in. The area was set like a studio apartment. There was a kitchenette area in the corner with a mini fridge, sink, Keurig, and microwave under 2 cabinets.

          Between the stairs and the kitchenette, there was a bathroom. It was a nice set up, a claw foot tub on one side and a 2-sink vanity on the other. There was a blue-grey couch and a recliner set up with a coffee table and a 43-inch TV on the wall. In the next corner there was a closet, as I walked over to open the door, I noticed it split into two perfectly mirrored “his and her” set ups. As I closed the doors on my way out I turned to look at the bed that was set with the two night stands.

          I saw a shadow on the far side of the bed and went to investigate. When I rounded the end of the bed I was shocked to see Kilian bent over on the ground messing with the outlet by the nightstand. Just then he turned around and we both jumped.

          “Don’t scare me like that!” I screamed.

          “Scare you? I am the one up here getting some work done and you snuck up on me!” He complained back. “Wait, why are you up here? Is everything okay?” His eyes were now shifting across the room.

          “Whatever, I yelled your name, and you didn’t answer but I saw the door open so I figured I would check on you. You’re welcome for that by the way. Anyways when did this happen? How long have you been working on it? Why have you never said anything? It looks amazing!” I said in awe.

          “I started it about 3 years ago. The last time I was visited by your goddess. I figured it would be good to prepare for us to be separate. I figured you could choose if you wanted to stay in the bedroom or take this one. I am okay either way.” Kilian was proud.

          “You… I can’t, I just can’t. You did this? Without me knowing. How are you seriously okay with all of this?” Tears had flooded my eyes again; I may belong to Alexander but Kilian was one of a kind. How can I just set his love to the side?

          “You can. Please just stop worrying about everything, we have enough going on that we can focus that energy on. I am assuming that Alexander is going to want to stay with us as soon as you give the okay. It is safer that way. If it helps, I will say that if I had my choice, I would rather stay inside the house closer to the kids. I trust him and you both to protect them, but as much as I love you, I am mainly here to make sure I am here for them.” He was gentle with his words and I was finally accepting what was happening around me.

          “No problem, I think it will be better for me to come out here anyway. I pretty much am the cause of everything. I still need to decide what to tell those 3. I didn’t think of all of us staying under one roof, but I guess that is the safer option. I will let Lex know.” I said remaining neutral.

          “I already told him earlier, but he is waiting for you to be okay with the idea.” He winked at me.

          I hated feeling like everyone around me knew something that I didn’t. I am getting a case of whiskey after this is all over tonight with these 3 and we are going to have a serious game of catch-up-astrid! Grinning at my thought I decided to just accept and move on for the rest of the day. If I stop fighting what is happening, maybe it won’t get any worse.

          “Okay, that is it, fire tonight after dinner. All current adults that have knowledge that concerns me but have not shared it yet will be required to attend and bring a bottle of booze. Since you are such great friends with everyone, you can make sure they all show. Any type of booze is fine, but brownie points go to those who bring whiskey and vodka.” I winked and descended the stairs. “And make sure you are ready by 6:30! You know I hate to be late!”

          I walked back into the house and slowly walked through, admiring the pictures of our lives that were posted on the walls. All these happy moments, our children smiles plastered on their faces. I took a deep breath and smiled knowing that everything would be okay. They will understand eventually.

          A few hours later I was finishing up getting ready. I had put on a pair of my leggings; they were black but had pockets in the top and the back with a lower pocket that closed on each side. They looked more like dress pants then they did leggings, but the pockets allowed for me to skip the purse for the night. I was wearing my favorite sweater. It was my go-to when I was upset or stressed, feeling the soft green fabric against my skin was a comfort. I slid my phone in my back pocket and headed down the hall to the kitchen.

          I walked into Helga, Ingrid, and Freya all tossing bags around while they argued about who was getting which foot item. I shook my head watching them and laughed, food in this house was one of the things worth fighting over.

          “When did you guys order take out?” I said remembering I was going to just tell them to throw a frozen pizza in the oven.

          “Um, Mama, that really HOT guy over there on the couch showed up with it a few minuets ago.” Helga pointed into the living room speaking low so he could not hear. I saw the grin on his face, he heard her anyways.

          “Oh, yeah, that is going to be a longer conversation.” I said as I walked towards the living room. I wasn’t ready for him to introduce himself to the kids yet, how was I supposed to explain who he is on a time crunch like this?

          “Hi, I didn’t expect to see you inside.” I said trying to drop a hint to him. “I don’t know if Kilian is going to be okay with you being here with them. I was thinking you would just keep an eye on them from outside.” I didn’t want to hurt his feelings.

          “I have no problem with it, in fact I suggested it.” Kilian stated with a huge smile on his face as he walked into the room. He was wearing a black button-down shirt and light jeans. His cologne filled the room as he walked in. “Girls, there are a lot of things changing around here. I want you to know that your mother and I love you all very much, as well as each other. However,” He paused to look at me for a moment and grinned, “this is her new-old soulmate, Alexander, the one the brought the food from Aunt Sylvi’s.” He rushed the last part out not wanting me to stop him. I stood there frozen; doe eyed. How can he just drop all that then walk out the door? Not to mention what are they going to think of Lex now?

“What is wrong with you? First you come down smelling like you used the whole bottle of cologne and now you drop a huge bomb on our kids before we go out? Don’t you think there was a better way to do this?” I kept my face glaring at him waiting for the answer.

“Mama, its fine,” Freya started, “we aren’t exactly a normal house to begin with, as long as you and Dad are happy, that is all we care about.” She looked at her sisters and they nodded. “But Dad, you do stink, maybe you should take a shower.” She giggled.

Kilian walked over and started tickling Freya, “I stink for a reason, we will explain more of that later, but I need to make sure that the man we are meeting thinks we are still happily married. I just need to overpower any “clues” that may give us away.” He said smiling at Lex.

“Oh,” I started, I really needed to get used to this whole, just accept it and keep going thing, “Well since you guys already have everything figured out, I think we should get going. I don’t want to be late.”

Lex stood and walked into the kitchen were the rest of us were still standing. “You girls can call me Lex,” he said as he put a arm around my shoulder, “I know you don’t need a babysitter, but with everything going on you are bound to have questions.” He paused and looked at Kilian before mirroring Kilian’s grin from earlier. “I have a feeling finding out that I am a werewolf is going to have the 3 of you speaking at 90 miles an hour so each of you can take turns with the questions.”

Ingrid was taking a bite of her food that was now sitting on the counter because her jaw dropped so fast. Helga was looking at him trying to decide if it was a joke or true. Freya’s eye lit up and she was the first to speak, “Oh my gawd! Are you serious? Can I be a wolf too? I can kick some serious ass!”

“FREYA! Language! You are only 12, you need to speak like a lady even if you refuse to act like one!” I scolded her. “Lex, really?”

“Sorry princess, Kilian and I discussed it before you came down. I didn’t get a chance to tell you,” he shrugged, “He and I figured you have enough going on right now that we could tackle putting everything in the open for the kids, its important they start to learn as much as they can. Plus,” he was now whispering in my ear, “I hear there is a room ready for us. It was nice of him to sound-proof it, but chances are they will still hear you scream my name at some point.” He bit my earlobe, and I felt a gush come from my body. The effect this man had on me was insane.

“Don’t do that,” I slapped him on his chest and tried to push myself from his grasp, without success. He picked me up and pushed his head into my neck inhaling my scent.

“But I LOVE when you do that…” He whispered into my neck.

Kilian tried to cover his chuckle with a cough, also unsuccessfully. “Well now that our daughters are going to be supernatural experts by the time we return, we should get going.” He held his arm out for me to take it.

I threw my arms around Lex, I gave him a kiss on the cheek, “Just so you know, payback is a bitch.” I said leaving his arms and taking Kilian’s. “We should be back by 9, please keep the details to a minimum. I am sure Kilian informed all the adults of the fire tonight. Girls, thank you for always surprising me, but please don’t embarrass me.” I said with a wink and disappeared out the door.