Page 13 of Snapped
Maeve laughed. “Or something.”
With Ainee’s revelation that she was attracted to Maeve as well, conversation came easier to them. Maeve walked Ainee back to her room, then returned to the garden to collect the tray and dishes so she could drop them off in the kitchen.
Back in her room, she tiptoed through the bathroom, peeking into Aiya and Sawyer’s room, finding them both still fast asleep. She noticed baby Ian wasn’t in his cradle or with them on the bed, she figured he must still be with Tanis. Deciding to take full advantage of her alone time, Maeve drew a warm bath then added some lavender oil to the water before sinking down into the tub. The three of them knew going into this they’d probably be exhausted ’round the clock for the first few weeks. But with Aiya breastfeeding the baby, he was indeed, latched to her breast more often than not.
Maeve’s mother, Theresa, sat her down for a heart-to-heart a couple of weeks prior to the birth. “Darling, I know this arrangement the three of you have is unique, and you all love each other in your own special ways. I just don’t want you to be hurt if your relationship with the baby is…different than Aiya’s and Sawyer’s.”
“Mom, they would never—” Theresa silenced Maeve with a shake of her head.
“Oh honey, I know they would never intentionally do anything to hurt you or shut you out. I just…I’m sorry, darling, I’m your mother and sometimes my mind goes over every possible scenario for a situation. I guess that’s what I’m doing now as well—my apologies.” She pulled Maeve into her arms, hugging her tight.
Thinking back on the conversation, Maeve chuckled; she’d been exactly right. Ian honestly had three parents. Aiya and Sawyer may have created him, and Aiya had carried the weight of his steadily growing body for nine months, but they were all three mothers and father to the green-eyed baby boy. She was drying off when the door opened and Aiya shuffled into the bathroom, disheveled and still half-asleep.
“Where’s Ian?” Aiya asked with a yawn, reaching for her toothbrush.
“Bonding with his uncle-slash-father-in-law.” Maeve chuckled.
“Lord, that is so surreal.” Sawyer spoke from the doorway.
Maeve shrieked, wrapping the towel tighter around her breasts. “Naked, Sawyer.” She growled, waving her hand in front of herself.
One eyebrow raised, Sawyer shoved past her and grabbed his toothbrush. Aiya flushed, then moved over beside Sawyer to brush her teeth as well. Maeve sighed, exasperated. Folding her arms over her chest, she glared at their backs.
“Hey Sis, I’ve got a present for you.” Maeve turned to see Tanis standing in the doorway of her room, holding little Ian out at arm’s length, his face pinched.
Apollo shoved his way through the space between his father’s legs, peeking up at Maeve and grinning. “I can help!”
Frustrated, Maeve threw her arms in the air. “By all means, everybody and their fucking dog, come on into the bathroom.”
“What are we doing in the bathroom?” Raven peaked over Tanis’s shoulder. “Whoa!” He covered his eyes when he saw Maeve. “Pol, come out of there please, you don’t need to see all that.” He reached down and pulled the toddler, kicking and screaming, into Maeve’s room and out of sight.
“What’s his problem?” Maeve growled.
“Ummm…Sis.” Tanis waved his hand up and down in her direction. Looking down, Maeve gasped. With her arms crossed over her chest she held the towel up, but one side had fallen below her breast and her boob was on full display for everyone to see.
Covering up again, she stomped over to Tanis and shoved him out of the bathroom as Aiya grabbed Ian. Maeve kicked the door shut then pounded on it with her fist when she heard Tanis laughing hysterically on the other side. “See you at dinner, Sis. In clothes, I hope.” His muffled voice was faint but clear.
“Why you…” Maeve reached for the knob, pulling the door open just a fraction before Sawyer’s big hand slammed it shut.
He grabbed Maeve by the shoulders, turned her, and gently shoved her toward his and Aiya’s room. “You and Aiya go get dressed and get Ian changed while I shower. Hector is arriving today, and you’ll want to go meet him, I’m sure. Can’t go down to the clearing in a towel.”
“Fine!” she shouted, stomping into the bedroom behind Aiya, pulling the door shut behind her.
Sawyer sighed, staring up at the ceiling. “God save me from diaper duty and bitchy women.”
“I heard that!” Maeve hollered from the other side of the door.
Chuckling and remembering a comment Maeve had made to him once, Sawyer responded, “I meant you to.”
