Page 169

I close my eyes, sighing softly as I let the warmth of their embrace settle over me, and the weight of their love wrap all around us.
I feel their joy as it fills every inch of our room.
It’s overwhelming in the best way possible.
My heart swells, and I know that this is everything I’ve ever wanted.
This ismyfamily.
This is where I belong.
The room becomes still, like time itself has paused to let this moment sink in.
They both hold me like I’m the most precious thing in their world, and in some way, I am. I feel it in their every glance, and their every touch. I feel it in the way their hearts beat in sync with mine.
For a moment, I think of everything we’ve been through to get here—the chaos, the pain, the uncertainty—but I know that it doesn’t matter any more. All that matters is now, this specific moment, and the future we’re building together.
Our little family, growing, with love as its foundation.
Looking up at them with my hands pressed to either one of their chests, I feel their steady heartbeats beneath my palms.
Nikolai lifts one hand to gently caress my cheek, his eyes searching mine.
“Our baby will be raised in a world full of love, darling.”
They’re both watching me intently, their expressions soft, but filled with a fierce protectiveness too.
“We’ll be with you both every step of the way, beauty. Every single day.”
Mikhail says, his voice a deep promise.
A soft, content sigh escapes my lips, and I let my eyes flutter shut for a moment.
It feels like everything is finally falling into place.
They have me.
I have them.
And now, we have our precious little baby too.
“I’m so happy.” I whisper, barely able to speak through the lump in my throat as I open my eyes again. “I didn’t think I could ever feel like this…not with the way everything started out.”
They look away from me to look over at each other.
I know they feel it too; the weight of what we’ve all built together.
Mikhail reaches out to brush a stray tear away from my cheek, his thumb gentle against my skin.
“You deserve this happiness, Chiara. You deserve everything. And we’ll give it to you. All of it.”
Nikolai nods in agreement, adding some of his own words too.
“You and our unborn child are the most important people in our lives. Nothing will ever change that, Chiara.”
I smile, feeling my heart overflow with love and gratitude.
“Thank you.”