Chapter 264
“Thank you,” I said.
“What?” Lily’s voice piped up from where she’d been watching the movie. “What’s happening?”
Sarah went over and picked her up. “Aunt Athena is going to have a baby.”
Lily’s eyes went wide. “A real baby?”
“A real baby,” I confirmed.
“Can I see it?” she asked.
“Not yet, sweetie,” I said. “The baby is still growing in my belly. But when the baby comes out, you can see it.”
“When will it come out?” she asked.
“In a few months,” Tristan said.
“That’s a long time,” Lily said, but she looked excited anyway.
Liam had toddled over during the commotion. “Baby?” he said, looking confused.
Sarah laughed. “Yes, baby. Aunt Athena is going to have a baby.”
He seemed to think about this for a moment, then went back to his toys, apparently deciding it wasn’t as interesting as his truck.
We all laughed, and the tension I’d been holding broke completely.
Sarah had a million questions. When was I due? How was I feeling? Had we told anyone else yet? Did we want to know the gender?
Derek asked more practical questions about work and whether we’d need to adjust schedules.
Orion mostly just watched me with this soft expression that made my throat tight. I could tell he was still processing everything.
The conversation flowed easily after that, everyone sharing stories and advice. It felt right to have them all here, to share this joy with the people we loved most.
Around seven–thirty, we were all laughing at something Derek had said when suddenly three phones went off at once.
Tristan’s, Orion’s and Derek’s.
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The laughter died immediately.
They all pulled out their phones, and I watched as their expressions changed from joy to something much more serious.
“What is it?” I asked, feeling dread creep up my spine.
Tristan looked up at me, his jaw tight. “There’s been a breach at the northern border.”
“Multiple rogues,” Orion added, reading from his screen. “They’re calling all fighters to report immediately.”
Derek was already standing, his whole demeanor shifting to something harder, more alert. “How many?”
“At least fifteen,” Tristan said, his eyes scanning the message. “Maybe more.”
“Fifteen?” Sarah said, her voice rising slightly. “That’s a coordinated attack.”
“We need to go,” Orion said, standing up. “Now.”
My stomach dropped. This couldn’t be happening. Not now, not when everything was finally good.
Tristan came to me and cupped my face in his hands. “I have to go.”
“I know,” I said, even though every part of me wanted to beg him to stay.
“I’ll be back as soon as I can,” he promised. “Stay here with Sarah and the kids. Don’t go anywhere.”
“Be careful,” I said, gripping his shirt. “Please be careful.”
“I will,” he said, and then he kissed me hard and fast. His hand went to my stomach for just a second. “I have everything to come back
to now.”
Orion was already kissing Sarah and the kids goodbye. He came over to me next.
“Lock all the doors,” he said. “Don’t open them for anyone except us. Understand?”
“I understand,” I said.
He pulled me into a quick hug. “I love you, little sister.”
“I love you too,” I said. “Please come back safe.”
“Always,” he promised.
(
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Derek was at the door already, his phone to his ear, presumably getting more information.
And then they were gone, the door closing behind them with a finality that made my chest ache.
Sarah and I stood there for a moment in the sudden silence, the kids still playing obliviously in the corner.
“They’ll be okay,” Sarah said, but I could hear the worry in her voice.
“They have to be,” I said, placing my hand on my stomach.
Because we were having a baby.
And he had to come back to meet our child.
He had to.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
