Cataclysm (Alternate Earth Series, Book One) Read Online Free Page A

with the first few buttons undone.
    “Will! Linc!” He calls up the staircase to the second floor, in a voice similar to that of a drill sergeant. “It’s time to go get the supplies!”
    “Supplies for what?” I innocently ask Malcolm from my seat in the living room.
    Malcolm quickly whips his head in my direction, surprised to see me. He saunters over to the chair I’m sitting in and begins to smile when he sees who is in my arms.
    “You’ll find out soon enough,” he says vaguely. “How did you get lucky enough to have some alone time with Kate?”
    “Michael was granted the privilege,” I respond. “He just left so I could enjoy her for a little while, too.”
    Malcolm beams with pride as he looks at the latest addition to the family, and leans over to kiss Kate on the forehead. Kate grabs at Malcolm’s hair, keeping him near. With Malcolm’s head so close to mine, I can’t help but take note of his expression as he gazes at Kate. There’s a longing there I never noticed before, which makes me ask, “Have you thought about having more children of your own one day, Malcolm?”
    Malcolm’s eyes meet mine for a split-second before returning his full attention to Kate.
    “It’s crossed my mind,” he admits, sounding reluctant to say as much. “But it won’t be anytime soon. I have too much to do right now.”
    Malcolm gently pulls his hair out of Kate’s grasp and stands back up.
    I hear heavy footfalls stomp down the stairs.
    “Sorry, Uncle Malcolm,” Will apologizes, with Tara’s son, Linc, coming to stand by his side. “We were in the middle of playing a video game with some friends online.”
    As I look at Will, I can’t shake the sensation that time is slipping through my fingers. He’s seventeen now and practically a man. He was blessed with his father’s good looks and easygoing personality. Linc, on the other hand, resembles his mother in the face. Both boys are handsome, just in their own unique ways.
    “Happy birthday, Jess,” the boys say together when they see me.
    “Thanks,” I tell them. I stand from my chair, feeling as though it’s probably time for me to join the other members of the family back in the kitchen.
    “Well, come on, then,” Malcolm says to them. “We promised your mother we would go shopping for her today.”
    “Uncle Malcolm!” I hear a sweet voice call out as two more sets of feet quickly make their way down the staircase. Mae and Tara’s daughter are soon standing by their brothers. “Can Ella and I come, too?”
    I hear Malcolm sigh in defeat. “Like I can ever say no to you, Mae.” Malcolm turns to me and whispers, “Expect a lot of pink.”
    I try to hide a laugh behind a smile.
    “Go ask your mothers first, though,” Malcolm tells the girls. “I don’t need either of them yelling at me for taking you shopping without their permission.”
    The girls make a mad dash towards the back of the house where Lilly and Tara are sure to be found in the kitchen. When they return, Lilly is right behind them.
    The first thing Lilly says to Malcolm is, “No more stuffed animals. Mae’s room resembles the San Diego Zoo as it is.”
    I hear Mae gasp in shocked horror at her mother’s one rule for her excursion with Malcolm.
    “But they need homes, too, Mommy,” Mae tries to reason.
    “And they’ll find them, Mae,” Lilly says gently. “It just won’t be in your bedroom.”
    Mae looks crestfallen at her mother’s words. Ella puts a comforting arm around Mae’s shoulders.
    “It’s ok, Mae Mae,” Ella says. “I can give them a home.”
    Mae’s eyes light up with a newfound sense of purpose.
    Both Mae and Ella grab one of Malcolm’s hands, to stand on either side of him.
    “We’re ready, Uncle Malcolm,” Mae says, looking up at her uncle like the sun rises each day just for him. Yet, Mae has the unique ability to make anyone she’s around feel as though they’re special. Very few people possess such a God-given gift.
    Malcolm phases the