My fingers tighten around the phone 172

Ethan’s POV
The moment Felix detected Cassandra’s presence, something miraculous happened. The steady beeping of the monitors
began to change—Aria’s blood pressure started to climb to normal level, her oxygen levels improving with each passing
second. Hope surged through me as I watched the numbers stabilize, confirming what Aria had told me about her wolf
guardian. Cassandra was there, protecting her and our unborn daughters, just as she had before.
“She’s stabilizing!” I announced, my voice cracking with emotion as I looked up at the doctor. Her eyes, visible above her
surgical mask, showed cautious optimism as she nodded.
“This is promising,” she replied, checking the monitors herself. “But we need her conscious before we can administer the
anesthesia for the C-section. Try to keep talking to her.”
I leaned close again, my lips nearly touching Aria’s ear. The scent of her skin—still uniquely hers despite the antiseptic
hospital smell—filled my senses, making Felix whine with longing.
“Aria, sweetheart,” I whispered, my fingers gently stroking her hair. “I know you’re fighting to come back to us. Our
daughters need you now. Lucas is waiting outside—he was so brave today. He saved you, love.” My voice wavered
slightly. “We all need you to open your eyes.”
Felix paced restlessly beneath my skin, desperate to be closer to Cassandra. *Mate…* his voice rumbled through my
consciousness. *She’s there. I can feel her strength returning.*
Aria’s coloring improved before my eyes, the ghastly grayish pallor fading as a hint of natural warmth returned to her
cheeks. Her breathing deepened, becoming more regular with each passing moment. My heart hammered against my
ribs, hope and fear battling for dominance as I watched for any sign of consciousness.
“Come on, love,” I urged, squeezing her hand gently. “You promised we’d raise our daughters together, remember? You
promised we’d have that wedding under the moon. I’m holding you to that.”
I continued my quiet litany of pleas and memories, reminding her of all we’d built and all we had yet to experience
together. My free hand rested protectively over her swollen belly, feeling the subtle movements of our twins beneath my
palm. They were still fighting, still strong despite the trauma they’d endured.
“The monitors are showing continued improvement,” the doctor said from behind me, her tone carefully measured.
“Keep talking to her. Whatever you’re doing seems to be working.”
I nodded without taking my eyes off Aria’s face. “I’m not giving up on you,” I whispered fiercely. “None of us are. Lucas
asked me if you were going to die, and I told him absolutely not. Don’t make a liar out of me, Aria.”
As if responding to the mention of our son, Aria’s eyelids fluttered slightly. My breath caught in my throat, and I leaned
closer, heart pounding so hard I thought it might burst through my chest.
“Aria? Can you hear me?”
Another flutter, stronger this time. Her fingers twitched against mine, the barest hint of pressure that felt like a miracle.
Felix howled within me, recognizing what was happening before my human consciousness fully grasped it.
*She’s returning! They’re both returning!*
Then, like the sun breaking through storm clouds, Aria’s eyes opened. Those amber-flecked irises that had captivated me
from the first moment I truly saw them found mine, confusion giving way to recognition. My vision blurred with unshed
tears as relief crashed through me like a physical force.
“She’s awake!” I called out, unable to contain the emotion in my voice. The medical team immediately sprang into action,
moving around us with renewed purpose.
Aria’s lips parted, her voice barely a whisper. “She’s back.”
Those two simple words confirmed everything. I clutched her hand tighter, bringing it to my lips as tears finally spilled
down my cheeks. “I know, love. Felix felt her. You both are incredible.”
The doctor appeared at my side, checking Aria’s pupil response with a small light. “Mrs. Shadow Fang, I’m Dr. Reynolds.
You’re in the hospital. Your babies are in distress, and we need to perform an emergency C-section. Do you understand?”
Aria nodded weakly, her eyes never leaving mine.
“We’re going to administer the anesthesia now,” the doctor continued, already signaling to the anesthesiologist. “Your
husband can stay with you through the procedure.” 1/3
“I’m not going anywhere,” I promised, brushing my lips against Aria’s forehead as the medical team prepared for surgery.
“I’ll be right here holding your hand the entire time.”
A soft smile curved her lips. “Our daughters are coming,” she whispered, her voice gaining strength with each word. “A
little early, but they’re fighters. Just like their parents.”
The anesthesiologist approached with practiced efficiency, explaining the procedure to Aria as he prepared the epidural. I
helped her into position, supporting her weight as she leaned forward for the injection. Her hand gripped mine with
surprising strength, her face contorting briefly as the needle entered her spine.
“You’re doing so well,” I murmured encouragingly, my free hand rubbing small circles on her shoulder. “Just a little longer
and we’ll meet our girls.”
Once the anesthesia took effect, the surgical team worked with swift precision. A privacy drape was erected across Aria’s
chest, blocking her view of the procedure. I positioned myself by her head, one hand still firmly clasping hers while the
other stroked her hair soothingly.
“You’ll feel some pressure, but no pain,” the doctor explained as they began. “If anything feels wrong or uncomfortable,
tell us immediately.”
Aria nodded, her eyes fixed on mine. I could see the mixture of fear and excitement swirling in their depths—the same
emotions that churned within me. After everything we’d endured to reach this moment, the thought of finally meeting
our daughters felt surreal.
“Lucas was so brave today,” I told her, wanting to distract her from whatever sensations she might be experiencing. “He
attacked Sarah without hesitation when he saw you in danger. Jumped right at her like a little wolf defending his pack.”
Pride gleamed in Aria’s eyes. “That’s my boy,” she whispered. “Our boy.”
“Our boy,” I agreed, my heart swelling with love for both of them. “He’s going to be the best big brother these girls could
ask for.”
Behind the drape, I could hear the surgical team working efficiently. The scent of blood reached my nostrils, making Felix
stir anxiously. I focused on Aria’s face, determined not to show any concern that might worry her.
“Almost there,” the doctor announced. “Dad, get ready to meet your daughters.”
My throat tightened with emotion. Despite everything—the danger, the trauma, the fear of losing them all—this moment
was about to become one of the most profound of my life. I’d never imagined becoming a father again, never dared to
hope for the family now coming together before my eyes.
A small, indignant cry suddenly pierced the air—high-pitched and fierce. My head whipped toward the sound, catching a
glimpse of tiny flailing limbs as the doctor lifted our first daughter.
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“First baby is here!” she announced. “Time of birth, 8:42 PM.”
The nurse quickly took the squirming bundle, moving to a warming station to assess her. I caught only a brief glimpse of
dark hair and reddened skin before my attention was drawn back to the surgical field.
“And here comes her sister,” the doctor said, her voice warm with satisfaction. “Time of birth, 8:44 PM.”
The second cry was softer but no less determined, a gentler counterpoint to her sister’s angry wails. The nurse carried her
to the second warming station, where both infants were quickly cleaned, weighed, and assessed.
“They both look excellent, especially considering they’re premature,” the pediatrician announced, relief evident in her
voice. “Lungs are strong, color is good. First is 5 pounds, 2 ounces. Second is 4 pounds, 11 ounces.”
I looked down at Aria, finding her eyes shimmering with tears. “We did it,” she whispered. “They’re here, they’re safe.”
“You did it,” I corrected, pressing my lips to her forehead.
“Mr. Ethan?” The nurse approached, carrying our first daughter, now swaddled tightly in a pink blanket. “Would you like
to hold your daughter while we finish up here?”
My hands trembled slightly as I carefully accepted the tiny bundle. The weight of her—so slight, yet somehow so
significant—settled against my chest with an immediate sense of rightness. I cradled her close, studying her scrunched
face with wonder. She had a full head of dark hair, just like mine, and when she briefly opened her eyes, I caught a flash of
what looked like Aria’s amber flecks.
“Look at her,” I whispered, lowering her so Aria could see. “She’s perfect.”
Aria raised a shaky hand to touch our daughter’s cheek. “She looks like you,” she murmured, her voice thick with
emotion. “Those are definitely your eyebrows.”
I laughed softly, the sound catching in my throat as the nurse approached with our second daughter. She was slightly
smaller than her sister, with less hair but the same determined expression. I carefully shifted to hold them both, one in
each arm, marveling at how they already seemed to have distinct personalities.
“Hello, little ones,” I whispered, overwhelmed by the surge of protective love that crashed through me. “Welcome to the world. We’ve been waiting for you.”