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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Chapter 264

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.

the look he gives me when he's overwhelmed. He's not even blinking, just watching the

getting better with hospitals, and

therapy. He was determined to here

have a feeling

his mind.

know exactly what he's thinking, because I'm

back into his arms. "Thank you for letting

With food. And hopefully you'll be discharged soon?" "Fingers crossed," he says, smiling

for Zaid's hand. He doesn't speak. Doesn't blink. Just rises

and follows me out.

quiet, but the sibtle thrum of his thumb on my

make it through the front door of our house before he's on me, devouring

on me as we stumble our way up the stairs, taking

with every

kiss him back just as hungrily, losing myself in the feel of him, the taste, the heat that simmers just below

hands on my arms to keep

heaving and I'm standing in

look at him.

wait," he whispers, breathless. "I've been trying so fucking hard

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Chapter 264

up at him, confused.

for the bookshelf, pulling down his weathered leather journal. The

into this place.

pulling together as he hands

five," he says

as I open it, flipping

of hopes and dreams, of goals for

years ago.

my

list and the very first line wrecks me.

1. Marry Alina.

instantly, tears burning their way to

as I

slowly lower the journal.

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

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