Kids from One Alpha

Chapter 6: The Babysitter

With her clothes unpacked, Serena double checked on the twins, making sure they clothes were proper

ty tucked

away in dresser drawers. Olivia was a little more dexterous than Oliver, so she had to refold a few of Ol

iver‘s shirts and pants, tucking them neatly away. It had taken them most of the day to get settled in

and organized. Serena liked the

house though, and there was plenty of space in the yard to get a swing set and sand box for the kids. S

he was looking forward to giving them the opportunity to

run around outside more. It was something werewolf pups

enjoyed. “I like it here, Mommy,” Olivia told her as the three of them headed downstairs. Serena went to

the refrigerator to get her children some juice. The kids were getting hungry. It was close to their dinner

time. Serena hadn‘t had a chance to stock the kitchen, but apparently

Adriana had taken care of that. It was the easiest move she‘d ever done! “It‘s huge!” Oliver said, pulling

himself up into a seat at the table. “I like it here too,” Serena admitted. She gave the kids their juice an

d started looking for something she could make them for a snack. She wasn‘t confident in her cooking s

kills, but she‘d have to feed them. Before deciding

on what to make, the doorbell rang. “Who‘s that?” Olivia asked, standing up on her chair. “Put your butt

back in that chair!” Serena snapped, pointing at it. Oliva plopped back down. “Wait here while I get the

door.” She was concerned Logan had come back, and she didn‘t want him

to see the kids. She was still suspicious about him and how much he recognized her. Even if he didn‘t r

ecognize her, she wondered if he would recognize the kids! It wasn‘t like they only had her features. Se

rena looked through the door window to see who was on the other side.

It was a woman she hadn‘t met before, slightly older than her. She opened the door “Can I help you?” S

erena asked, keeping the door half closed. The

woman smiled at her.

“You‘re Serena, right?” she asked. Serena nodded. “I‘m Dana, Adriana sent me over

as a babysitter.” “Babysitter?” Serena asked. “Am I needed at the medical facility?” Dana shook her he

ad. “Oh, no,” she said with a light laugh. “Adriana said I was to be a live–

in nanny, to help with the twins.” Serena crossed her arms. “I didn‘t ask for that,” she said, wondering w

hy Adriana felt the need to get inter her business. “No, but she thought you‘d like the extra hands, espe

cially since you‘ll be on call for emergencies,” Dana said. Serena considered the offer. It was frustrating

that Adriana hadn‘t asked her, but it

did make sense. You‘re supposed to live here?” she asked. Dana nodded. “We don‘t really have more r

oom…” Dana

laughed again. “All the refurbished houses have a studio apartment in the basement,” she said. “When

you don‘t need me, you won‘t even know I’m here.” Serena sighed, opening the door to let Dana in. Sh

e wondered why Adriana hadn‘t mentioned that with the tour of her house, but maybe

it was for the better. “Would you like to meet the kids?” Serena asked. “Please,” Dana said, crossing th

e threshold. Serena headed back to the kitchen, motioning for Dana to follow. “Olivia, Oliver,” Serena c

alled them to attention. “This is Dana. She will be staying with us and watching over you when I need to

work.” “Hello there,” Dana said. “Aren‘t you

the most adorable twins I‘ve ever seen. Can I sit with you?” Oliver looked at me, but Olivia took control.

“You can sit by me,” she said, declaring her approval of Dana. Well, if her children approved, there was

n‘t much arguing. “I‘ll get back to work on that snack,” she said. “How old are you, Olivia?” Dana asked.

Serena had her back to

them while she worked at the stove, listening to the conversation. “Five,” Olivia said. “Can we show you

, our rooms?”

“I would love to see your rooms,” Dana said. “I bet you have some fun

toys to play with.” “So many,” Oliver said. He as slower to join the conversation, but

Serena could tell he liked Dana too.

“Go upstairs and show Dana your rooms. Your snack will be ready soon,” she said. The pot on

the stove was giving off a strange smell. She didn‘t want the kids around if it

was going to get messy. They wouldn‘t eat it if they thought it smelled bad. Oliver took Dana‘s

hand, but Olivia held back. She came up to her mother’s side. “What‘s wrong, love?” Serena asked. Oli

via motioned for Serena to come closer. Serena took a knee beside her daughter. “Mommy, I think you‘

re doing that wrong.” Olivia said. Serena smiled, placing a hand on her daughter‘s head. “I think I am to

o,” Serena admitted. “I‘m not very good at this, am I?” Olivia shook her head. “No,” she said

with a soft whisper. Serena laughed, shaking her head as she rose to her full height “Why don‘t

I help with dinner,” Dana said, coming up to the stove. “I can set this right.” Serena sighed, happily han

ding over the spoon in her hand. “Thank you,” she said. Having Dana around wouldn‘t be such a bad id

ea if it meant she didn‘t have to cook as much! “Cooking isn‘t so hard,” Dana said. “Olivia, if

you could get me that box of pasta on the

counter. Oliver, can you bring over that bowl.” She pointed to the

items as she directed the children. Serena

was pleased to see her kids obey without question. They wanted to help! Taking a step back, Serena gl

adly gave herself a little break. Dana could keep the kids busy and feed

them! She felt odd about having

a stranger living in her basement, but it already seemed to be helping. “Mommy, after dinner can Dana

play with us?” Olivia asked. Serena nodded.

“Yes, you can show her your toys and even do a little dress–up if you

want,” she said.

The phone on the kitchen wall rang, causing Serena to start. She hadn‘t even

known she had a land line. “Hello?” she asked, answering the phone.

“Serena, can you come to the health clinic immediately?” Adriana asked. There was urgency in the othe

if it wasn‘t an emergency “There‘s been an attack,” Adriana

said breathlessly. In the background, Serena heard people

running around, the sounds of medical equipment being gathered and gúrneys

being pushed around. “An attack?” Serena asked. She was already running back upstairs to change into

northern border of Night Sky territory,” Adriana explained quickly “Injured?” Serena asked, awkwardly ch

the phone pinched between her ear and shoulder! “Several,” Adriana said. “I know this is sudden…

and with the kids..“. “No, no, I

can be there,” Serena assured. “Dana is already with them.” “Great!” Adriana breathed out. “Hey! Don‘t b

her neck, then pocketed her car keys. She half hopped down the stairs while stuffing her feet into her co

hung up before Serena had the chance to say goodbye. Whatever had happened, it wasn‘t good!

Serena raced back to the kitchen, practically slamming the phone down on

the receiver. “There‘s a medical emergency at the clinic,” she said. “Are you okay to stay with the kids?”

said. “Go on, save some lives.” Serena kissed her children goodbye, who were comfortably eating at the

“Do you have to go, Mommy?” Olivia wined. “I do,” she said. “I’ve got to go help some pack members th

at Dana and she nodded in confirmation. “I love you, babies. I’ll be back as soon as I can,”

she assured. They waved goodbye with spoons. “How do I get to the clinic?” Dana gave her quick instru