The Delacours: Part Deux

twenty-five.

Getting a room for Ella and Braylen at the school was proving to be more difficult as each room we'd had was full and we didn't have any students that would be leaving or graduating. I was worried they wouldn't have anywhere to stay and as much as I cared for them, and as much fun Odie and Noah were having with them, it wasn't practical for me to keep them in my house, especially with a baby on the way.

"If I have to hear Zane complain about staying with Chris one more time, I'm gonna lose my shit," I said to Aria as we walked through the mall with the kids. They were looking at some new summer clothes while Aria and I headed over to the baby section for stuff I needed. "Like, he offered his room up and he knew how Chris is with his stuff... Even when it was just Chris and I we never actually shared a room! A bed, yes, but not a room..." She laughed.

"Yeah... when you guys moved out, it wasn't fun cleaning the remnants of everything he left behind," she said. "You guys can't just get someone to do more construction magic and build more rooms?"

"Val tried. When they came to look at it, they said the building was already at capacity. Anymore rooms could make the building implode. I don't know what I'm gonna do. I thought Odie and Zane ate a lot, but having two wolf kids in that house? Shit... I've spent more money on food in these last two weeks than I ever have!" Aria was quiet for a minute as she searched through some onesies that were hanging on a display.

"Do you like this one?" she asked, holding up a grey onesie with an elephant on it.

"Yeah, it's cute." She threw it in her basket.

"What are you guys doing for Chris' birthday next weekend? The kids will be done with school then, right?"

"You know, I'm not sure... Any ideas?"

"I'll let you know what I come up with." I nodded. We continued shopping in silence. I couldn't help but realize she seemed like she had something on her mind.

"Aria... what's up? You're not usually this quiet."

"Sorry, I'm just thinking about stuff, I guess."

"What kind of stuff? Everything okay?"

"Yeah, everything's fine! It's just... what if I became Ella's and Braylen's guardian? I have plenty of space..." I stopped and looked at her.

"You would do that?"

"Well... I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be able to have a kid like you are, and I wouldn't mind taking care of them. They're sweet kids and need a place to stay, which I have."

"What does Ray think?"

"He knows how I feel about the kid thing and it was actually his idea. You know how he felt about kids when he was human..."

"Aria..." I said, putting my hand on her shoulder. "I think that's a great idea! You two will be amazing at raising them. They need someone who understands them and who better than you?"

"Do you think they would want to? Live with us?"

"Why don't we ask?" We paid for our items and headed to grab some lunch. The kids were excited for school ending soon and being able to enjoy the summer. The kids were scarfing down burgers.

"Ella, Bee..." I said, interrupting them. "I have something to ask you."

"...I'm not going back home with my parents. I already told Dylan that," Ella said.