No Strings Attached

Elle inhaled deeply. The familiar scent of him washed over her, and her eyelids fluttered shut. There was a wave of weakness passing through.

During the times she was pregnant with Orin, battling severe morning sickness, through the agony of childbirth, she had been so close to calling Anders. But then she'd remember the cold words he spat during their breakup, and each time, she let go of the urge to reach out.

Just as Elle was about to push Anders away, the car's Bluetooth system came to life. Orin's young voice piped through the speakers. "Daddy, did you do what I told you to win Mommy back? She can't stay mad when she's got apple turnover, you know!"

Anders looked down at Elle cradled in his arms and chuckled softly. "I'm right here with Mommy, buddy. We'll come to get you soon, okay?"

"Yay! Daddy, remember to give Mommy lots of kisses. She loves it when I kiss her. No matter what I do, a kiss makes everything better. You got it, Dad?"

Anders replied with a laugh, "Alright, I'll give it a try." Then, he gently pressed his lips to Elle's forehead.

"We better hurry back and tell our son he's going to have a brother or sister - or maybe both," he said with a smile, deftly changing the subject and leaving Elle's complaints lodged in her throat. The pair drove straight to lan's mansion.

A few days later...

discharged from the hospital when she eagerly

a prominent name in Riddleton, and it was in

surprised to see him followed by a dozen dashing men. She glanced at lan, puzzled. "I thought it was just James coming. Who are all these people? I don't think I know

but tease her by lightly flicking her nose. "Silly girl, the Yorks are a thriving bunch. Your uncle James has eleven brothers, and your mother was their only little sister. Now

in disbelief. "So my mom was the beloved princess of the family? How did she end up with a jerk like Paolo? You know what they say, a woman's marriage

married is not only handsome and

man she loved, but she also had a

tender voice, "My impeccable husband, we better get moving, or the uncles

she could utter a greeting, Clara was whisked away

I'm your eldest

your

your