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Nikolai holds onto my hand, and Mikhail wraps his arm around my middle.
“Our girls are perfect, aren’t they?”
I whisper, my words meant for both of them.
Nikolai and Mikhail know exactly what I mean.
We’ve created something beautiful together; our daughters.
They both glance over at me, their eyes soft, and a deep understanding is shared between us.
“Our girls both are.” Mikhail agrees, his voice filled with pride. “Sia and Rory may be protected, but they’ll grow up learning to be strong too.”
I nod, knowing it’s true.
We walk down the hallway, and as we approach our eldest daughter’s bedroom, I can feel my heart rate pick up.
Our Anastasia, our fiery, passionate girl, sleeps soundly in her bed.
She looks like a dream with her lips slightly parted, her chest rising and falling in the slow, deep rhythm of sleep.
She looks like her fathers, with her pale skin, blonde hair, and striking blue eyes.
Nikolai steps closer to her bed, his hands brushing the strands of hair away from her face.
There’s a softness in his touch. He’s a man of few words, but the way he cares for our children speaks volumes.
As I step forward, I feel my heart swell with a mixture of emotions.
I can’t help but smile as I look at her.
My daughter.
My baby.
The one who came into our lives so unexpectedly, but who now belongs to us as we belong to her.
I lean over the bed, careful not to wake her.
She stirs slightly as I kiss her forehead, my lips lingering there for just a moment longer.
She sighs in her sleep, a tiny, peaceful sound that makes my chest tighten with love.
She doesn’t wake though.
She never does, not when she’s deep in sleep like this, content and free from any worries after everything we’ve been through.
It’s a reminder that we’re doing right by her, and that she’s safe.
She’s ours.
As I pull away, I turn to look at Nikolai and Mikhail, both who have been watching me silently.
I smile at them.
“Chiara.” Nikolai says in a voice that’s just over a whisper. “Let’s head to bed now. Our babies are okay. They are safe.”
I nod, looking back at Anastasia for a brief moment, before turning back around.