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 tiny baby

better with hospitals, and when Elena announced his

was determined to here

at me, I have a feeling

his mind.

exactly what he's thinking, because

baby back into his arms. "Thank you for letting us

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

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

and follows me out.

back home is quiet, but the sibtle thrum of his thumb on my thigh has

front door of our house before he's on

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

with

of him, the taste, the heat

on my arms to keep

standing in my underwear,

look at

breathless. "I've

2/4

Chapter 264

up at him, confused. "Wait for

for the bookshelf, pulling down his weathered leather journal. The one that looks exactly like the one he

into this place.

together as he hands

five," he says

a little as

dreams, of

years ago.

remember writing my list on

I look at his list and the very first line wrecks me. It

1. Marry Alina.

instantly, tears burning their way to the surface.

as I

slowly lower the journal.

front of me, closing in,

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

Comments ()

0/255