My guests surprise me by staying almost until noon. Well, at least, some of them – mostly those who started hitting the mimosas hard when we got back to the house and then moved to whiskey.

After the baby wakes up and has a little lunch, I come yawning back into the front of the house, where I smile to see that Sinclair has loosened his tie and is enjoying a little banter with Roger and some of the other Alphas.

Isabel and James have gone, back to their hotel to let little Sadie sleep in peace, but Cora is still here, curled

up on a couch and half dozing as Henry – I laugh to see him a little tipsy as well – tells her stories of his youth. I move over to them, tired but happy to see everyone enjoying themselves.

“How are you, Ella,” Henry asks, smiling at me warmly and peeking at the baby, who looks at him curiously when I hand him over.

“I am good, happy,” I say, grinning at both of them. “Though I wouldn’t say no to sometime soon –”

“Oh my,” Henry says, glancing up at the clock. “We’ve overstayed our welcome –”

my bed

“No,” I say, appalled at myself for such a rude comment, “It wasn’t a hint – I’m sorry, stay

“No, Ella,Cora says, laughing and standing up. “Henry is right, and so are you – it is late. Or early or…” she screws up her face in concentration, “whatever. Time to go home!”

We both give Henry a kiss goodbye before he hands my baby back to me and wheels towards the door. Cora leans in to give me a kiss goodbye as well, but I hold her close and whisper in her ear before she can pull away, the baby fussing a little to be smushed, just a bit, between us. “Cora, why didn’t Doctor Hank come today?”

She frowns at me, a little chagrined, as she stands straight again. “Well, did you invite him?”

I slap my hand to my mouth, realizing… “Cora! I thought you were going to bring him! I didn’t send him an invitation because I assumed

at me, a little offended. “Ella, Hank is not my

frustrated hand down my face, confused. “Cora, if he’s not your boyfriend then what is

awkwardly in the hope that no one’s listening. I note that

“Hank told me that he wants to build

with you

did

holding a space open for someone else

I thought you wanted me to

room a little bit and I blush, realizing

Roger, and then kind of yelling at me for not bringing Hank into a literal pack of wolves for a magical moonlight baptism!” Exasperated, Cora runs her hand through her hair. “I don’t even know what I want

her, a little mad. “And I thought that you decided that that was Hank! But if

taking me by the shoulders and giving me a little shake, though I can see a blush

I lie, still frowning at her.

door and then back at me. “I’m going home, but I don’t want to leave it this way. It was a great night – really …special. Can we just tell each other we love each other, and then

my eyes softening as I pull my sister close to me. “I’m sorry, Cora, you’re right. I’m –

to kiss the baby’s head before squeezing my hand and heading for the door, stopping to say goodbye to some people on the way out. I watch my sister go, feeling

still

know exactly who to

heading to the little

say, stepping in front of him and pointing a finger in his face.”

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