Chapter 262
VIIIo Decame My Second Chance Mate
Athena
Tristan opened the door and there they were. Orion with his arm around Sarah, their two kids bouncing excitedly on the porch.
Liam was in Sarah’s arms, while Lily, was tugging on Orion’s hand.
“Uncle Tristan!” Lily squealed, launching herself at him.
He caught her easily, swinging her up into his arms. “Hey there, love.”
Liam reached out his chubby arms toward Tristan. “Tis! Tis!”
“He’s been saying your name all morning,” Sarah said with a laugh as Tristan took Liam too, somehow managing to hold both kids.
“Come here, you,” I said, reaching for Liam. He came willingly, wrapping his little arms around my neck.
Sarah came in next, carrying a dish covered with foil. “I know you said not to bring anything but I made my mac and cheese anyway.”
“You didn’t have to do that,” I said, taking it from her with my free hand while balancing Liam on my hip.
“I wanted to,” she said, hugging me with one arm.
Orion was the last one in, and he ruffled my hair the way he’d been doing since we were kids before heading to the kitchen with a case of beer.
“Derek’s running late,” he called back. “He texted saying he’ll be here in twenty.”
“No problem,” Tristan said, setting Lily down. She immediately ran off to explore with Orion following to make sure she didn’t break anything.
Liam was content to stay in my arms, playing with my necklace.
“He’s gotten so big,” I said to Sarah.
“I know,” she sighed. “They grow so fast. One day you’re bringing them home from the hospital and the next they’re running around causing chaos.”
I felt a flutter in my stomach at her words. Soon I’d have my own baby to watch grow up.
We all moved into the living room and I felt my nerves kick up again. We were really doing this. In a little while, we’d be telling them about the baby.
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Chapter 262
Tristan must have sensed my anxiety because he came up beside me and took my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.
“You okay?” he asked quietly.
“Yeah,” I said. “Just nervous.”
“Don’t be,” he said. “It’s going to be fine.”
Orion came back from the kitchen with Lily on his shoulders. She was giggling and trying to touch the ceiling.
“Daddy, higher!” she demanded.
“Any higher and you’ll go through the roof,” he said, but he bounced a little, making her squeal with delight.
I watched them with a smile. Orion was such a good father, seeing him with his kids always made me happy.
Sarah settled onto the couch and I handed Liam back to her. He immediately tried to climb down, wanting to follow his sister.
“No, baby,” Sarah said. “Stay with mama for a minute.”
He pouted but stayed put, though his eyes followed Lily around the room.
The doorbell rang again and Tristan went to answer it, Derek came in looking relaxed in jeans and a leather jacket.
“Sorry I’m late,” he said. “Had to deal with something.”
“Everything okay?” Orion asked, immediately alert as he set Lily down.
“Yeah, just some paperwork that needed signing,” Derek said. “Nothing exciting.”
He greeted everyone and settled into one of the armchairs, accepting the beer Orion handed him.
Tristan disappeared into the kitchen to check on the food, and I followed him, needing a moment to settle my nerves.
“You’re panicking,” he said without turning around.
“I’m not panicking,” I said.
He turned to look at me with a raised eyebrow.
“Okay, maybe I’m panicking a little,” I admitted.
He came over and pulled me into his arms. “They’re going to be happy. I promise.”
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Chapter 262
“I know,” I said against his chest. “I just want everything to be perfect.”
“It already is,” he said, kissing the top of my head. “We’re having a baby. That’s all that matters.”
We stood there for a moment, just holding each other, and I felt my nerves start to settle.
“Come on,” he said. “Let’s get dinner on the table.”
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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.
