Chapter Ninety-Eight: Their Names

"Mamaaa!"

Marigold's piercing cry echoes loudly past the sound of the helicopter rudders; her fuss in Elizabeth's arms forces her to bend and place the twins on the ground.

Once the doors open, I hurriedly kneel on the ground so that I can easily embrace them as they run clumsily to me.

Marigold and Luca’s small and warm bodies crash against mine in almost an instant, and I inhale their sweet and soft scent.

“Mama…”

Marigold cries again; this time, her scream and wail seem to entice Luca until both of them begin crying.

“What's wrong, baby? Mama is here.”

I say over the noise from the helicopter. I can feel Matteo’s gaze on my hunched back, but my voice still softens.

When they only wail instead of speak, I press kisses on both their heads. I normally would have kissed them until they fell into a fit of giggles, but this time, after a single kiss each, I recoil.

"Why are they hot? Elizabeth, they are too hot."

"They had a fever."

Elizabeth answers as the helicopter leaves, meaning we