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 cradle that tiny baby boy like

hospitals, and when

therapy. He was determined

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

his mind.

he's thinking, because

back into his arms. "Thank you

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

and reach for Zaid's hand. He doesn't speak. Doesn't

and follows me out.

ride back home is quiet, but the sibtle thrum of his thumb on

the front door of our house

as we stumble our way up the stairs, taking

clothes with

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

hands on my arms to keep

chests are heaving and I'm standing in my underwear, him in

look at him.

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

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Chapter 264

him, confused. "Wait

doesn't answer right away. Just reaches for the bookshelf, pulling down his weathered leather journal. The one

into this place.

pulling together as he hands

five," he

just a little as I open it,

list. His list of hopes and dreams, of goals

years ago.

remember writing my list on the

very first line wrecks me. It tears

1. Marry Alina.

vision blurs instantly, tears burning their way to the

as I

slowly lower the journal.

me, closing in, stepping closer with a ring in