Chapter 205
A genuine smile finally broke through. “Yes, maam,” he murmured, bringing our joined hands to his lips. The brush of his mouth against my knuckles sent a pleasant shiver through me.
Besides, I added with a hint of mischief. “I much prefer when you use your mouth for kissing rather than frowning
His laugh–deep and rich–wrapped around me like a physical embrace. “Is that so?” he asked, leaning closer. “I’d be happy to demonstrate my versatility
The kass that followed was less restrained than before, heat blooming between us until the beeping of my heart monitor grew embarrassingly rapiil. Etban. pulled back with a smirk, eyeing the machine with obvious male satisfaction,
“Don’t look so smug.” I chided, though I couldn’t keep the smile from my voice. That thing would probably explode if you really tried.”
“Challenge accepted,” he murmured against my ear, sending goosebumps racing down my neck. “Once you’re home” Before I could voice, a knock at the doo interrupted us.
Ethan straightened, though he didn’t release my hand as he called, “Come in,”
The door swung open to reveal Lucas, practically vibrating with excitement as he bounded into the room, followed by Zoe who gave us an apologetic smile.
“Sorry,” she mouthed. He couldn’t wait any longer.”
“Mom” Locas exclaimed, rushing to my bedside with barely contained energy. He stopped short, remembering the nurse’s warnings about being gentle, and ` approached more cautiously. His bright green eyes–so like Ethan’s it still startled me–darted between my face and my belly before he carefully climbed onto
the edge of the bed.
“I knew you’d wake up,” he declared, his small farme serious. “I told you stories every day so you wouldn’t forget to come back. Ethan said you could hear me, even when you were sleeping.”
My heart swelled with love for this perfect, precious child–our child, I reached out to smooth his unruly hair, marveling at how much older he seemed after Just a week. Had the ordeal matured him, or was I just seeing him differently now, looking for Ethan’s features in his face?
“I heard every word,” 1 assured him, pulling him gently against my side.
Ethan lifted Lucas effortlessly, settling him more comfortably on the bed beside me. “Careful with your mom, buddy,” he cautioned, though his tone held nothing but warmth.
Lace wiggled closer, his small body warm against mine as he reached out with tentative fingers to touch first my face, then my stomach. “Mom and my sisters,” he whispered, so softly I barely caught it. “Gotta protect them both.”
My eyes met Ethan’s over Lucas’s head, a smile spreading across my face. The fierce protective instinct, the natural leadership–Lucas truly was his father’s son. How had I not seen it before?
The three of us entled together like puzzle pieces finally finding their place strange yet somehow perfect. Luce’s animated chatter about his week filled the room, but beneath his excitement, I felt the weight of our unspoken truth growing heavier. When Ethan’s eyes met mine over Lucas’s head, I saw the question there and knew it was time.
With a barely perceptible nod, I gave Ethan the signal. He scooped Lucas off the bed, enring a dramatic pout that made his little bottom lipstick out in perfect miniature indignation.
“Hey, I was comfortable! Lucks protested, wriggling dramatically.
My heart hammered against my ribs as I patted the space beside me. “Sweetheart, come here for a second. Mommy and Ethan need to tell you something
Locas expression transformed instantly from posting to curiosity. The slipped his warm little hand into mine, those big green eyes growing wide and
Twins?” he whispered conspiratorially, leaning closer.
“No, honey,” I said, my voice threatening to break. I glanced at Ethan, drawing strength from his encouraging nod. “It’s about you. And Ethan.”
anyone
ook a steadying breath, chooung my words with care. “Remember how I always told you we were perfect just the two of us? That we didn’t need any dae in our special family?”
Lucas nodded, his gaze bouncing between us with growing intrigue.
I continued, my voice softening, “sometimes life surprises us with wonderful things we never expected.” I squeezed his tiny fingers. “Ethan isn’t just
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Chapter 205
our… special friend. He’s actually your daddy. Your real daddy”
Lucas froze, his little brow furrowing adorably as he processed this information. The silence stretched for three rapid beats of my heart before he turned those penetrating eyes toward Ethan.
“My for–real daddy?” he asked, tilting his head like a curious puppy. Like, you made me with Mommy?”
Ethan knelt down, somehow making his towering frame appear gentle as he met Lucas at eye level. “Yes, buddy. You’ve been my little wolf all along. I just didn’t know until very recently.”
Lucas’s lips pursed thoughtfully, creating that heart–melting dimple in his right cheek. Then his eyes narrowed in a perfect miniature of Ethan’s serious expression.
“If you’re my real daddy,” he asked, voice tiny but clear, “how come you weren’t with us before? Didn’t you want us?”
