"Girls," I rushed towards them, "How did you know they're the ones? I'm pretty sure you didn't see their pictures," I heard myself say.
Xavier didn't say anything. He just handed the girls over to me and went back to where Lucius was standing. It pissed me off that he was ignoring me. Trying not to think too much of it, I lowered myself in front of them,
"What happened?" I asked.
They exchanged a look before Vina came forward, her lips pressed into a pout.
"I'm sorry, Mom. They had ice cream at the shop across the street and we wanted to try it out,".
"If you wanted ice cream, why didn't you wait until Linda was done with her bath? Do you know how worried we were when we couldn't find either of you?"
"I'm sorry Mom," Maeve said, her eyes were already teary. "I told Vina that we could get into trouble for it,".
"You know what," I straightened. "I was in the middle of a meeting, so we won't discuss this now. When I'm done, we'll talk about your punishments,".
"But we already apologized, Mum," Vina mumbled. "You don't have to punish us,".
"Apology doesn't always fix things, Vina," I tried not to raise my voice. "It's high time you learn to do as I always tell you,".
Vina folded her hands, giving me a cross look. "You said this was going to be a fun vacation, but all you've done is hole us up in that room. I'm tired and I want to go home,".
"Vina, for moon's sake," I gritted my teeth, feeling Lucius and Xavier's eyes on my back, "This is not the right time to throw tantrums. Please, we just arrived and I promise once mummy is done with my meeting, I will take you around, okay?"
"You always say that but you never do it," Vina was crying now, making a fuss.
I could see a few of the hotel guests staring in our direction. It didn't take long for Maeve to join her sister in crying. I just stared at the duo, helpless.
"Is there something we can do to pacify them? Sweets maybe, or toys?" Lucius asked, drawing closer.
"They just need my attention," I sighed. "Can we reschedule the meeting for tomorrow? They won't stop crying until I tend to them,".
While I and Lucius were still talking, Xavier approached both girls. He had a bright smile on his face. He knelt and scooped both of them in his arms, cradling them in the crook of his elbow.
Instantly, they stopped crying.
Vina rested her head on his shoulders while Maeve circled his neck with her tiny arms. I shifted with unease; I didn't like the way the girls were already bonding with Xavier. Was it because he was their dad?
"He's asking if he could hold the girls for a while until they stop crying?" Lucius asked.
I wanted to say no, but it'd be selfish for me to refuse now. The girls looked so comfortable in his arms.
"It's fine," I nodded. "Let's go up to the suite then,".
Gamma Theo excused himself while the rest of us rode in the elevator until we got to our floor. I steered both Lucius and Xavier toward the sitting room. Upon entering, I approached Xavier, who was now seated with both girls in his arms.
I stood a few paces from them, extending my arms, a warm smile on my face.
"Alright darlings, say thank you to the kind Alpha. I'm sure he has other important things to do,".
They shook their head in refusal simultaneously.
"C'mon girls," I tried again. "Come to mommy now,".
"No," Maeve spoke first. "I don't want to go with you. I want to stay with him,".
"Yeah," Vina echoed. "He's a nice man. He bought us ice cream too,".
Xavier chuckled at their protest, a hint of amusement in his eyes. He didn't seem to want to let the kids go, too.
Instead, he turned to Lucius and his pupils blackened for a split second. Making me wonder if he was the same man I had met in the park yesterday. If it was so, why was he pretending not to talk?
"He says that he doesn't mind holding them for a little longer," Lucius shrugged as he told me. "Just let them stay. They seem to like him," he added.
And if I should continue insisting, it might raise suspicion and draw unnecessary attention to how alike Vina looked against him. Her red hair was a flaming orange with eyes the colour of the summer sky. Anyone, including a blind man, could tell that they were somehow related.
"Would you like anything, then? Wine, water?" I asked the men.
Thankfully, Lucius was scrolling through his phone and was paying less attention to Xavier who was listening to Maeve whisper something in his ears. He had a patient smile on his face.
To think this was the same man who had warned me several times not to think of bringing a child into this world.
"None for me," Lucius told me without looking up, while Xavier shook his head too.
Not knowing what to do, I settled opposite them while I watched miserably. Seconds later, the girls dragged out their toys and introduced each of them to Xavier. Although he couldn't speak, he knew when to make an approving sound.
I could feel and see the pure joy and excitement of the twins. I didn't know this was how much they needed a father. Although I knew Noah loved the girls to bits, and they liked him too, I've never seen them this happy as they were with Xavier.
"What happened to your mouth?" Vina suddenly asked, prying his lips open. "Why can't you speak?"
"Vina!" I called out in horror. My child had absolutely no filter. "You can't ask him that,".
"Why not?" she narrowed her eyes at me. "He doesn't seem offended and I would prefer he talks to us,".
Xavier looked helplessly at Lucius.
"I'm sorry girls," Lucius said patronizingly, "But he's trying to save his voice for something big,".
"Something big?" Vina's eyes widened in curiosity. "Is he a singer?"
"Young lady!" I was mortified at this point; this girl didn't take after me with that mouth of hers.
"Even much better," Lucius said, "But it's a secret and I can only tell you if you go to bed,".
"It's just 2 pm," Maeve said, staring at her wristwatch. "It's too early for bedtime,".
I spotted Xavier trying to hold back his laugh and our eyes met for the briefest of seconds before I stared somewhere else.
"That trick doesn't work with us, sir," Vina sighed. "Just tell us why he cannot speak,".
"That's it," I stood, clapping my hands. "That's enough questions for today. It's snack time, go and wash your hands. I'm sure Linda is wondering why you aren't coming yet,".
This time, they complied immediately. They were having their favourite snack today.
Before they left the room, they went to Xavier again, staring earnestly at him.
"Will you come to play with us again?" Maeve asked.
"He's an Alpha, Maeve. He has a lot of work to do," I butted in, wondering where she had gotten that kind of confidence.
"We could go meet him at his office. I'm sure he'll have a break time. Right, Alpha?" Vina turned to him.
Xavier nodded.
"And we'll ask Dr Sid to look at your mouth too. He's a good doctor. I'm sure he can cure you," Vina shared confidently.
"Run along, girls." I shooed them away from the room.
Who knows what next they would promise him?
"I'm sorry," I told them when we were finally alone. "The twins are a handful to deal with,".
"That's fine," Lucius nodded and thrust a piece of paper towards me "I think we've discussed the backstory and everything, you should send your proposal to that email,".
"Sure thing," I nodded, collecting it. "I'll reach out to you too for the next meeting,".
I felt indebted for their help, so I decided to see them off. I followed them out until we were standing in front of the hotel waiting for the Valet to bring their car. Lucius excused himself and went a little distance away from us to take a call, leaving me with Xavier.
"Your kids are so beautiful and lovable," Xavier said, breaking the tense silence.
"So, you speak." I gave him an accusing glance. "Why are you trying to act like you don't?"
"Because I didn't until yesterday when I met you," He said quietly "Somehow, you seemed to have triggered some sort of miracle and to think you were the one sent by Noah to come heal my pack. Talk about fate and coincidences,".
"Why haven't you informed your Beta yet? Isn't it tedious still pretending you're still mute?"
"I'll take care of that later," he said. "But I want to see you again, Olivia… can I call you that?"
My heart skipped a beat.
"Don't worry," I said hastily. "I'll reach out to your Beta and I'll fix another meeting,".
"No," he shook his head. "This is not about the meeting. I want to see you again… alone. I can't explain, but I just want to. Please!"
"I-I don't know," I stuttered. This was too sudden, and it was honestly the last thing I was expecting. "The kids and work…".
"You can bring the kids with you," he said.
"Why?" I ventured, "Why do you want to see me?"
"I can't explain, but I've been restless since I met you and I just want to understand all of this. I'll be at that park bench where we met yesterday, waiting for you this evening. Please, come…".
On cue, the Valet halted the car in front of us and Lucius has finished up with his call too.
As Xavier turned to bid me bye, I felt something press into my hand. After they had entered and drove off, I checked my hand and discovered it was Xavier's complimentary card.
I flipped the card to the other side and what was boldly etched on it was…
"Call me!" with his phone number scrawled under the words.
What exactly did he take me for?