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.

when he's overwhelmed. He's not even blinking, just watching the way I cradle that tiny baby boy like

and when Elena

therapy. He was determined to

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

his mind.

he's thinking, because I'm

and gently pass the baby back into his arms. "Thank

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

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

and follows me out.

but the sibtle thrum of his thumb on my thigh has me feeling so

the front door of

me as we stumble our way up the stairs, taking

with every

the heat that simmers just below the surface. As soon as

hands on my arms

heaving and I'm standing in my

look at

was going to wait," he whispers, breathless. "I've been trying so

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Chapter 264

him, confused. "Wait

answer right away. Just reaches for the bookshelf, pulling down his weathered leather journal. The one that looks exactly like the

into this place.

together as he

he says

tremble just a little as I open it, flipping

dreams, of goals for this new start

years ago.

writing my list on

look at his list and the very

1. Marry Alina.

instantly, tears burning their

as I

slowly lower the journal.

me, closing in,