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.

1/4

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.

He's not even blinking, just watching the way I cradle that

hospitals, and when

He was determined to here for

is looking at me, I have a

his mind.

exactly what he's thinking,

gently pass the baby back into his

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

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

and follows me out.

quiet, but the sibtle thrum of his thumb on my

through the front door of our house before he's on

His hands are everywhere, on me as we stumble our way

with every

taste, the heat that simmers just below the surface. As soon as he closes the door to his bedroom,

my arms to keep me

heaving and I'm standing

look at

breathless. "I've been trying so fucking

2/4

Chapter 264

blink up at him, confused.

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

into this place.

together as he hands it to

he

as I open it,

his list. His list of hopes and dreams, of goals

years ago.

my

his list and the very first line wrecks me. It tears me

1. Marry Alina.

instantly, tears burning their way to the surface.

as I

slowly lower the journal.

me, closing in, stepping closer

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255