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A bigger family.
A thrill rushes through me as my chest swells with love and gratitude.
It feels so right; the thought of carrying another life.
It fills me with a joy I can’t quite describe.
Nikolai’s hand moves to my waist, pulling me a little closer into his side.
His voice drops down to a whisper, his breath warm against my ear.
“Our family will only ever know love, Chiara.” He murmurs softly. “We will love this child, in the exact way that we love you, and our other children too. There won’t be a single day where our babies don’t feel adored or cherished. We’ll raise them in a house full of nothing but love.”
I close my eyes, letting his words wash over me.
Love.
Mikhail presses a kiss to my temple, still stroking me.
My chest tightens with emotion, and I feel a lump form in my throat.
I can’t imagine anything more beautiful than that; carrying their baby, all over again.
I swallow hard, nodding slowly at them both.
“I’m so happy.” I whisper, sliding my palms to their chest, feeling the way their hearts beat in sync. “I never thought I would be able to have this…this life after everything that happened…but I’m grateful for it. I’m so incredibly grateful.”
Nikolai’s thumb brushes my cheek, wiping away the tear that has escaped my eye.
His gaze softens as he looks at me, and his lips form a gentle smile.
“We’re grateful too, Chiara. You’re our entire world.”
Beside me, Mikhail nods in agreement, his hand now resting on my stomach again.
“And we’ll make things even better for all of us with more children to bear, and more children to love. Our family will be complete.”
I pull them in closer, my heart so full from everything, I can barely put it into words.
I feel everything in that moment; love, warmth, and security.
This is everything I’ve always wanted, and it’s everything I’ve always needed too.
Two men who adore me.
Two children born from love.
A father-in-law who has become my rock.
A father who has always kept me safe.
A brother who has always been there for me.
I haveeverything.
“Thank you.” I whisper, feeling my voice tremble slightly. “For this. For everything. For all the love you’ve shown me. For all the children we’ve created. For all the babies we’ll make.”
Together, they both hold me tighter, their arms wrapping around me as they keep me close.