Ruby woke to the sound of tiny feet pounding down the hallway and a high-pitched shriek that could only mean one thing: Elle had discovered something exciting, and the twins were about to follow her into chaos.
She groaned, burying her face in the pillow. "Is it too late to go back to the sky?"
Nicholas's arm tightened around her waist, pulling her closer. "You're not a celestial princess anymore, remember? You're just a very tired mother of three."
"Four, if you count you."
He laughed, low and warm against her ear. "I'm not that much work."
"You're the most work," she mumbled. "But you're worth it."
The bedroom door burst open.
"Mummy! Daddy! There's a helicopter!"
Elle stood in the doorway, her dark hair a wild mess, her bright eyes wide with excitement. Behind her, Xander and Iris peeked in, still in their pajamas, clutching stuffed animals.
"A helicopter?" Ruby sat up, instantly alert.
"Big one!" Elle confirmed. "It landed on the lawn! Mrs. MacLeod said to tell you!"
