Chapter 169
Chapter 169
Elara’s POV – Four Weeks Later
🙂
54
56 vouchers
The penthouse had never felt more like home than it did right now with both babies finally sleeping in their nursery cribs. Elara stood in the doorway watching Alexander and Catherine breathe, still not quite believing they were here, that they were hers, that the NICU nightmare was finally over.
“You need to sleep,” Marcus said softly from behind her, his arms wrapping around her waist. “They’re fine. The monitors are on. We’ll hear if anything happens.”
“I know. I just like looking at them.”
“You’ve been looking at them for twenty minutes. Come to bed.”
Elara let Marcus guide her back to their bedroom but she left the door cracked open, unable to fully disconnect even though she knew he was right. The babies had been home for three days and she’d barely slept, jumping up at every sound to make sure they were still breathing.
The doctors had cleared them both for discharge after four weeks in the NICU. Catherine had thrived from day one, gaining weight and hitting every milestone ahead of schedule. Alexander had taken longer, his recovery from heart surgery slow but steady, but eventually even he’d gotten strong enough to come home.
Now they are here. Four and a half pounds each, tiny but healthy, and completely dependent on two parents who were making everything up as they went along.
“Dante called earlier,” Marcus said as they climbed into bed. “He wants to schedule a formal announcement about the CEO transition.”
“Are you having second thoughts?”
“No. But I think the board wants to make sure I’m serious about stepping back.”
“You are serious though.”
“Completely.” Marcus pulled her close, careful of her still-healing incision. “I meant what I said at the hospital. The company can survive without me running it day-to-day. Our kids only get one childhood.”
Elara smiled against his chest. “Your father called me yesterday while you were at that investor call. He wants to take us all to dinner once the babies are a bit older.”
“How did that conversation go?”
“Surprisingly well actually. He apologized again for Penelope, asked about the babies, told me stories about your mother. I think he’s really trying.”
“He is. It’s strange having him back in my life after so many years of distance but I’m glad he’s making the
effort.”
They lay in silence for a while, the kind of peace that came from exhaustion and contentment mixed together. Elara was just starting to drift off when she heard Catherine make a small sound through the baby
17:04 Mon, May 11 M…
Chapter 169
monitor.
:
2)
56
55 Vouchers
She was out of bed before Marcus could stop her, padding quietly to the nursery. Catherine was awake but not crying, just looking around with those blue eyes that were definitely Marcus’s. Elara picked her up carefully, supporting her head the way the NICU nurses had taught her.
“Hey baby girl,” she whispered. “You’re supposed to be sleeping.”
Catherine made another small noise and Elara’s heart melted. Two weeks ago this tiny human had been fighting for her life with tubes and monitors covering every inch of her body. Now she was here, warm and alive and making small baby sounds in the middle of the night.
“Everything okay?” Marcus appeared in the doorway.
“She’s fine. Just wanted some company I think.”
Marcus came over and looked down at his daughter with an expression that still made Elara’s chest ache. Pure love mixed with wonder and a hint of fear that something might go wrong.
“You’re supposed to be sleeping too,” he told Catherine seriously. “Your brother has the right idea.”
As if on cue, Alexander let out a wail from his crib. Marcus laughed and picked him up. “Or not. Okay, family meeting at two AM apparently.”
They sat in the rocking chairs that had been delivered while they were still at the hospital, each holding a baby, and Elara felt something settle in her chest. This was it. This was what mattered. Not corporate drama or contract marriages or evil stepmothers in prison.
Just this. Four people in a nursery in the middle of the night, tired and messy and perfectly complete.
“I love you,” Elara said quietly.
Marcus looked up from Alexander’s face. “I love you too. All three of you.”
Catherine started rooting against Elara’s chest, clearly hungry despite being fed an hour ago. “I think someone wants breakfast. Or technically a middle-of-the-night snack.”
“I’ll get bottles,” Marcus said, standing carefully with Alexander. “You get comfortable.”
Feeding twins was still a coordinated effort that required both of them working together, but they were getting better at it. Marcus brought the bottles from the warmer they kept in the nursery and settled back in his chair while Elara adjusted Catherine in her arms.
The babies ate with single-minded focus, their tiny hands curling into fists. Elara watched Catherine’s face, still amazed that she and Marcus had created these two perfect humans.
“Mimi wants to visit tomorrow,” Elara said. “She’s been texting nonstop asking for photos and updates.”
“Tell her to come for lunch. Your mother too if she’s feeling up to it. We should celebrate having everyone home and healthy.”
17:04 Mon, May 11 M….
Chapter 169
“What?” Marcus asked when he noticed her staring.
“Nothing. Just thinking about how far we’ve come from that contract signing.”
“Best business decision I ever made.”
“Even though I came with twins and corporate sabotage and a murderous stepmother?”
“Especially because of all that. Made things interesting.”
56
55 Vouchers
They spent the morning in comfortable domestic chaos. Feeding babies, changing diapers, trying to nap when the babies napped but mostly just watching them sleep instead. The doorbell rang at noon and Elara heard Marcus calling from behind.
“Mimi!” His voice carried from the entryway. “Come in, they’re in the nursery.”
Elara smiled and waited for her best friend to come rushing in with her usual energy and enthusiasm.
But the footsteps that approached were heavier. Slower. And when the nursery door opened, it wasn’t Mimi standing there.
It was Luca. “What are you doing here?” Elara’s voice came out sharper than she intended. “How did you get past security?”
“I told them I was your father. That I wanted to see Elara and my grandchildren.” Luca took a step into the room. “These are my grandchildren, aren’t they?”
AD
Comment
Send gift
No Ads
17:04 Mon, May 11 M…
