Once the babies were both fed, burped, and played with, Elias settled them into identical sets of baby swings with toys hanging at the top, so that they'd keep themselves entertained. Lately, their entire schedule had been plagued by the children, and they hadn't been able to spend some time together.

"The weather is great today," Elias said to her.

They were cuddling in bed, her head lying on his chest, his arms resting on her waist, and her body pressed against his.

Elias could stay like this for the rest of eternity. He always felt complete when she was tucked into his embrace. Her body molded perfectly against his, as if she was made to be loved by him.

"The wheelchair for you is arriving soon. How about we go on a picnic date in the garden with a charcuterie board of cheese, biscuits, fruits, cuts of meat, and jams? You'll like it," Elias told her. The food would be high in protein, fat, and nutrients, everything she'd need to heal her body.

Adeline debated the idea. She was being lulled by the sound of his rhythmic heartbeat and his fingers going through her hair. She didn't want to admit it, but she liked it when he played with her hair. It felt good and calming.

"Babies should be kept out of direct sunlight until they're a few months old," Adeline said. With her forefingers, she drew random shapes upon his chest, enjoying the feel of his hard body under her fingertips.

"We can leave them to the nannies I've hired," Elias immediately said.

"I don't think we need nannies," Adeline responded, using her elbows to sit a bit more upright. She looked down at his face and realized his attention had always been on her, despite the babies in their swings.

"It takes a village to raise a child," Elias said. "And an entire city to raise two. We'll need nannies for now."

Adeline's brows wrung together. "What a nanny can do, so can we."

"Yes, darling, but—"

"I know most aristocratic or wealthy women use nannies, but I fear we'll be too reliant on them, leading to a strained relationship with our own children," Adeline slowly said.Elias let her words sink in. He had all the time in the world to care for their babies, but what if they're young children and all of a sudden attack Adeline? Most vampire kids aren't able to hold back their bloodlust. It was something trained into them.

"The nannies have already been hired and they're on their way to the castle as we speak. For now, babies aren't able to properly distinguish who is who. We'll get rid of nannies when our little monsters begin to walk," Elias offered.

"No," Adeline interjected. "If you want to compromise, then…"

Adeline debated her options. "We'll use nannies until our little angels," she emphasized the last word. "Stop crying at random hours."

Elias rolled his eyes at her nickname for them. Angels. Monsters. Same thing.

"Darling, you forget you're unable to use your legs," Elias warned her. "How will you take care of our children—"

"Then let's practice again and again until I can take a few steps, at least," Adeline stated.

Adeline knew her children would be her best motivation. But it took more than motivation to make a change. Practice made progress, and discipline builds diligence.

"I was raised by nannies and I turned out just fine," Elias told her.

Adeline stared at him with a pointed look. She was raised by her mother and father, who were extremely busy with their work, but always made time for her. Because of that, she never resented them, even after what they had done to her. She still felt an undeniable bond to her parents. She loved and missed them dearly, but knew they were watching her from above.

"Alright, maybe not fine," Elias corrected himself, smirking in amusement. "But I turned out okay, didn't I?"

"No, you turned out sadistic to your only living family member," Adeline stated, adamant on her words.

Elias paused. "So maybe I didn't turn out for the best, but Dorothy raised me and I still turned out like this."

Adeline raised a brow. "Maybe if you didn't have nannies for that long, then you'd be a lot more kinder."

Elias loudly laughed. "No, I would've still been as sinister."

Adeline sighed. Why was he as stubborn as her? Wouldn't that mean both of their children would inherit that trait?

"Let's make sure your legs are working well enough to walk first," Elias slowly said. Adeline hesitated. "A better compromise then," she told him. "Once I am able to walk enough to hold them, then no more nannies."

Elias was on board with that idea. He hugged her tight and kissed the top of her head. "Now your brain is working."

Adeline angrily jabbed his ribcage, but did no damage. Her unnatural strength disappeared when she gave birth to the twins. With Half-Blood twins, it was no wonder she had been that powerful. But wouldn't that mean either one of her children would have a supernatural ability, much like the ones that Dorothy and Elias possess?

Adeline was curious, but didn't want to say that out loud. "If we go on a picnic, we'd have to put them in a heavily sun-guarded carrier outside."

"Not if we have the nannies take care of them," Elias said.

"How can you be certain the nannies aren't hired spies sent to assassinate the heirs of Wraith and the King's only children?" Adeline wondered. It was a genuine question.

"Extensive background check," Elias responded.magic

"That can easily be forged," Adeline shot back.

Adeline was suddenly paranoid about her children's safety. His list of enemies was long, and though no one had dared to hurt her, she was terrified something might happen to her babies. They were young and couldn't scream for help.

"I'll put bodyguards in the room," Elias finally stated. "As many as possible. Not a single action will be missed by them. The guards will be heavily armed."

Adeline was going to say what if the bodyguards were hired spies as well. She just didn't feel safe leaving her children in someone else's hands. But with many bodyguards around, one of them should be able to do a checks-and-balances move.

"Fine," Adeline relented, smiling down at him. She moved the hair away from his eyes, always enjoying how beautiful the shade was. They were always red since he was an extremely powerful Pure-Blood, but on occasions, she had seen it dark into the color of wine.

"Nannies will give us time alone," Elias slowly said, stroking the side of her face. She leaned into his touch, her lips brushing on his palm. He heard the quicken of her heart beat.

"Much needed time alone," he emphasized.

Elias wrapped his arms around her, debating the idea of screwing her outside, on the picnic blanket and underneath the sun. His eyes flashed at the great idea, but he knew she'd never agree. Perhaps at night time then, in the meadow, he heard Weston took Lydia to…

"But I won't touch you, not unless we've taken precautions," Elias warned her. She responded by looking intently into his gaze and kissing his wrist, directly where his heartbeat could be felt.

Elias groaned at her actions, already aroused and eager. It had been a while since they had last done it, and he wanted her more than ever. He wished to bury himself within her moist garden, lick up her dripping nectar, and hear the sound of her pleas.

"Don't tempt me, darling," Elias said, grabbing her chin and pulling her closer.

Elias kissed her deeply and roughly, his fingers sliding into her hair, angling her head for his leisure. She moaned into the kiss, his hand resting on her lower back. He slid her body onto his, until she sucked in a breath and pulled back, feeling something hard and thick press into her stomach.

"Once you're on birth control," Elias hoarsely told her, turning their bodies until she was underneath him. "I'll have my way with you the entire night, and I won't stop even if you beg."