Alyssa

"Sweet girl, you ready?" Niko holds the scissors like he's about to remove a bullet instead of hair.

I nod and settle on the edge of the closed toilet lid. To keep from fidgeting, I stroke my hand over my belly, feeling the twins flutter.

"Yeah. Just... not too short, okay?"

He flashes me a sheepish grin, but there's a flicker of nerves in his eyes. "Relax. I'm not trying to die today. King'd string me up by the balls if I mess this up."

I almost tease ...