Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 264

Chapter 264

Alina 3 Years Later

Here I am, completely undone by seven pounds of squishy baby.

I cradle Elena's son in my arms, his tiny body wrapped in a pale blue blanket, his

little fists opening and closing like he's trying to find something.

One of his fingers wraps around mine and I forget how to breathe. My chest swells, my eyes sting, and I can't stop smiling like an idiot.

God, he's perfect.

I wiggle my finger against his tiny palm, whispering a quiet hi. He coos and it hits me like

a punch to the heart.

I want one.

No, I want five.

If they all feel this soft, smell this good, make my heart ache with love, then I want five.

I never used to think of myself as a mother. Not seriously. Not beyond that pregnancy scare that had me spiraling, unsure of the future and everything in it. But now? Now I'm sitting here, in a quiet hospital room and everything feels clear.

"He's absolutely beautiful," I say, looking up.

The comment was meant for Elena, but she's out cold on the bed, snoring softly, completely knocked out from forty-eight hours of labor. A laugh slips from my lips, she would hate to know that I've heard her snore.

"She deserves the rest," Noah murmurs beside me, even as he tries to hide his chuckle. He leans over and presses a kiss to her forehead, brushing a strand of hair from her damp temple. "It was a long couple of days."

There's so much love in his eyes that it steals my breath again.

My eyes drift across the room to Zaid.

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He's sitting in the corner chair, his elbows on his knees, his dark eyes fixed on me like I'm some kind of vixen. His gaze is molten, hooded and hungry, wild.

I know that look.

not even blinking, just watching the way I

better with hospitals, and when Elena announced

therapy. He was

way he is looking at me, I have a feeling the hospital fear is the last

his mind.

what he's thinking, because I'm thinking

Noah and gently pass the baby back

you'll be discharged

He doesn't speak. Doesn't blink. Just

and follows me out.

but the sibtle thrum of his thumb on my thigh has

front door of

hands are everywhere, on me as we

clothes with

feel of him, the taste, the heat that simmers just below the surface. As soon as he closes

on my arms to

chests are heaving and I'm standing in

look at

was going to wait," he whispers, breathless. "I've been trying so fucking

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blink up at him, confused. "Wait for

down his weathered leather journal. The one that looks exactly like the one he gave me when

into this place.

frown, eyebrows pulling together as he hands it to

five," he says

little as I open

his list. His list of hopes and dreams, of

years ago.

my list on

his list and the very first line

1. Marry Alina.

tears burning their way to

as I

slowly lower the journal.

is in front of me, closing in, stepping closer with a ring in his