Adopted

Meagan turned to see who called her name, and was faced with none other than Cressida, Edwards current girlfriend. The only reason why Meagan knew her was because, she had sent Meagan threats, multiple times, warning her to take her tragic claws over her man. 

Meagan ignored her as soon as she saw the irrelevant party. She motioned for the girls to follow her. 

Cressida laughed dryly, letting the laughter drip of sarcasm. "Ohh, was this the play? Pretend to be the grieving widow for six months, then enjoy all Mason's wealth?" 

Meagan turned abruptly, her eyes blazing, she clenched her fists at her side. "I will be careful with my words if I were you Cressida, my patience has run really thin" 

Cressida folded her arms slowly as her eyes glowed triumphantly, then with a subtle smile she continued. "Why widow, oops! I meant Meagan, killing your husband, was basic, I mean mad people do it all the time" Roling her arms in circular motion Cressida baited her. 

Meagan stormed towards her, her jaw tensed up as she gritted her teeth. 

"What! You even killed your sons, heck it would have been easy for you, seeing as you didn't know them" as those accusations left Cressida's foxy lips, Meagan's fist froze midway her eyes went wide as the insult hit home. 

Trembling, and frozen to that spot, Meagan's ear grew hot, her gaze was unfocused. 

Cressida was happy with the reaction she got, so she looked around quickly, her gaze settled on the girls and her eyes widened, a mocking laugh escapes her lips as she stared at Meagan's face. 

"You even got another set of triplets to kill or perhaps ease your guilt? You are really one hell of a woman you know? I should even…

"That's enough!" Maren roared, startling Cressida. Matilda rushed forward immediately, her lips in a tight line, her worried gaze on Maren, she put her hands in Maren's hands, squeezing tightly. 

Then with a shaky and hurried tone, she pleaded "Remember Maren, not here!" 

At the gentle reminder, Maren's tensed shoulders eased up, her breathing became more flexible. 'you shouldn't speak so carelessly, you are supposed to be an adult, that's not a nice thing to say to someone grieving!" Maren shot at Cressida. 

Cressida scoffed and waved her hands in the air, like she was swatting away insects. "Oh, I guess the murder has found minions just like her, whatever… just keep your claws away from my man!" Cressida's eyes narrowed into a piercing slit, and she added weight to the last word. 

"You reek of desperation, and it's not a nice look on someone with a plain appearance, and I would work on my distasteful fashion sense first if I were you! Maren humphed at Cressida, then moved to grip Meagan's trembling hands for support, tugging at Meagan, she moved past the wide eyed Cressida. 

When they were at the parking lot, after Meagan had made payments, she noticed she still held Maren's hands tightly. "Thanks… Maren, that was brave, I didn't think…

Maren yanked her hands away, and turned a furious gaze at Meagan. "Why didn't you say anything? It wasn't your fault what happened you know, you were doing a honourable thing, protecting your country, you didn't abandon them, and I am sure you family, before they passed knew that! 

"Mare… you are becoming scary" Mahalia whispered in shaky voice, her face paled. 

Meagan was stunned, Why didn't she ever think that way? Why did it take a nine year old child to make her realize, that she would be breaking Mason's heart if he could see her so devastated.

"I am sorry Meagan, I am sure Maren meant well" Matilda held her head high, as she apologized. 

"You are right! I mean well! If anything you should be proud of yourself, and I know you wish you spent more time with them, but remember everyone has their own path to take. And we are prisoners of our own destiny…" Meagan saw the shift in emotion, as Maren spoke about destiny, and she was fascinated, about the things the girl knew. 

Meagan looked like she was deep in thought for a while as she stared at the girls. 

"How would you like to live with me, like… I will be your legal guardian, or Mother… if you would like" Meagan held her breath as she watched the girls hesitate briefly, a look of terror passed their faces very briefly Meagan wasn't sure she saw it. 

"Yes!" Matilda and Mahalia screamed together, and Maren smiled at Meagan nodding excitedly. 

Meagan's eyes watered, and she wiped the terms as it glided smoothly to her face. "Okay, then we have to go somewhere! Come on girls" 

They all went into the car happily, and when they got to their destination, Meagan fought to keep her emotions in check. 

When they all got out of the car, Meagan turned to the girls, her eyes held a sad, and even devastated aura. "I want you to meet, the absolute love of my life, Mason Stewart, and the most handsome triplets in the world, Magnus, Marcellus and Majesty Stewart" Meagan paused and pressed her fingers to her temples to keep her from crying. 

"And I will be honest girls, I really hope you get to experience the love Mason showed me in your lifetime, I promise, you will understand why I am a weeping mess all the time" Meagan sniffles again, biting her lips as the tears rolled down freely. 

"And you will be taking my maiden name, it just doesn't feel right to adopt kids without my husband, I hope you understand this someday" 

As she gestured to where Mason and the boys were buried, Mahalia's eyes went huge and she was about to say something when Maren held her hands, a fierce warning etched on her face.

Meagan watched them, and still couldn't decide if the girls were just wierd or something was wrong, but she decided to let it go, hoping that with time, they will trust her. 

"Hi Mason, we have only heard wonderful things about you, thank you for loving Meagan, I know you see what we see in her too" Mahalia's words were soft as a feather and it caressed Meagan making her shiver. 

"Hey babe, I am sorry I haven't been here, but I am sure you know that I was so mad at you, but I want to believe that you understood me, and that you and the boys forgave me. And I want to be happy with the girls now, I love you all so much" Meagan hurried to the car in a fit of tears, her hands covering her mouth, as she tried to stifle the tears, leaving the girls to trail after her. 

After what felt like hours, Meagan finally stopped crying and made her peace with everything, smiling as she turned to the quiet girls. "Okay girls! Let's go home! But there are some ground rules, just two actually, don't touch the boy's room, and Mason's room" the girls nodded slowly as they gazed at Meagan. 

"And don't mention them, or speak about them, I am trying to forget my pains" Meagan finished with a defeated sigh and the girls nodded in affirmation again.

"Okay!" Meagan added, nodding enthusiastically. She pressed her lips together, a subtle determination on her face, and tutted softly. With a smooth motion, she turned the ignition and started their journey home. 

*********

The darkness reeked of mystery, heavy with anticipation. A pair of watchful eyes lurked behind the couch, calculating the perfect moment to strike. Footsteps echoed through the room, accompanied by feminine laughter and chatter. The eyes narrowed, waiting for the cue.