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Ottawa, especially their area, was no place to raise children - a decision Adelaide had reached within minutes of seeing their new home. She'd struggled with being content even more after their visit to Atarah's farm. Forks in the road, however, had always frightened her, fear of making the wrong decision, paralyzing at times. Other than having to leave her church behind, this felt right. Surely God's hand was in it. Their parents were not getting younger and this was a golden opportunity for her and Gavin to be involved in ministry. Besides, the cousins would be together.
Addy worked quickly, packing the last minute items in the washroom and kitchen, handing the boxes to the men who carried them out to the moving truck.
"I'll drive the truck," Jared offered, reaching for the keys.
Isaac rode shotgun.
****
"I NEED TO FEED THE babies," Atarah spoke quietly to her husband who was toying with his car keys, making last-minute plans.
Josiah nodded, holding the door open for her.
"Addy, is there a room I can use?" Atarah called out, the small townhouse echoing as the last of the boxes were taken out.
"Yes, of course, you can use our room," Addy called over her shoulder, "It's just directly at the top of the stairs. Here, let me help you,"
Addy took her nephew from Atarah, leading the way up the narrow staircase, the steps unusually steep.
The babies shrieked with hunger, impatient.
Azrael held his hands over his ears, "They are so loud Mummy! Their screaming is bothering my ears. Maybe we should have asked for a five-year-old brother instead."
Azrael was very serious.
Atarah laughed, "That's not the way it works, Sweetheart. Just give me a minute, I need to feed them then they won't be so loud, okay?"
"Can I feed them?"
Atarah exchanged a look with her sister, who stepped in.
"Let's see if there is something you can help me with. Are you excited to go on this adventure?"
Distracted, Azrael held his aunt's hand.
"The guys have taken out the bed...I guess you could sit on the windowsill?"
It was a large bay window, a cozy nook.
"Of course, thank you," Atarah turned her back, unfastening her blouse before reaching for her son as well.
Watching as Atarah exposed her large, pale as cream boobs before guiding her baby's hungry mouths to her already dripping nipples, raw jealousy twisted at her heart. Growing thoughtful, she watched as the infants sucked greedily, a soft moan escaping Atarah's lips as they pawed eagerly at her flesh. The sight, though natural was, downright erotic and if it had that affect, how much more would it the men downstairs should they step into the room?
Drawing her eyes away, Addy grew thoughtful for a moment, "When we get to the island I'll have a look in these boxes and see if I still have some nursing tops you could have...it will make it a little easier, especially when you have two."
It was difficult to maintain modesty.
Addy took Azrael back downstairs before he could ask more questions.
Azrael had been an only child for much too long and Atarah wondered how he would adjust to the many changes in his life.
Azrael wasn't the only one adjusting.
Josiah ached for Arlana but couldn't touch her until she was purified again. The twins were a blessing, but unexpected. They weren't prepared. No one had made the assumption twins could be a possibility as Arlana had been unusually large, but then again, he had barely seen her during the pregnancy.
Arlana awkwardly tried to juggle nursing both at once. Exhaustion shadowed in her face as she looked down, feeling more like a milk cow than a bride. She missed her husband more than she was willing to admit, her two weeks of being neglected extremely hard on her after enjoying Josiah's passion until the babies' birth - only a few hours.
Was he still attracted to her now?
Hardly.
Atarah turned her head again, looking back out the window at the men loading the moving truck below, her infants feasting on her energy and life source - at least, to the tired mother, that is how it felt.
Josiah stood in the doorway watching, eyes hazy as he grew uncomfortably warm. Rubbing the back of his neck, he turned. He was only torturing himself. Surely he could endure until she was purified for him.
"Are you almost ready? Everything is loaded," he kept his voice low.
Atarah nodded, holding one baby in her arms, the other nestled sleeping on her lap as she struggled to redress, her husband, unable to tear his eyes away from his bride, aroused, remembering the taste of her skin just days ago.
She fastened her last few buttons unaware of the hunger in her husband's eyes. Had she looked up, she never would have questioned his feelings for her.
"I'll be there in a moment," Atarah whispered.
Josiah smelled of something she couldn't quite place but was wonderful. His shirt suddenly looked tight, muscles rippling beneath the taut fabric as he leaned against the doorframe.
Atarah bit her lip, flushed before she reached for their daughter.
Eyes meeting, electricity flashed between the couple.
Josiah winked.
Less than a week to go...