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.

me when he's overwhelmed. He's not even blinking, just watching the way I cradle that

getting better with hospitals, and when Elena announced

his therapy. He was determined to

he is looking at me, I have a feeling the

his mind.

thinking, because I'm thinking it

pass the baby back into

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

reach for Zaid's hand. He doesn't

and follows me out.

but the sibtle thrum of

the front door of

are everywhere, on me as we stumble

with every

back just as hungrily, losing myself in the feel of him, the taste, the heat that simmers just below the surface. As soon

his hands on my arms to

and I'm standing in my underwear, him in

look at him.

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

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Chapter 264

up at him, confused. "Wait for

weathered leather journal. The one that

into this place.

together as he hands

five," he says

a little as

of goals

years ago.

writing my list on the

very first line wrecks me. It tears

1. Marry Alina.

their way to the surface. My breath

as I

slowly lower the journal.

closing in,

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