Chapter 401
Tristan
We spent another hour at the NICU before Orion said they needed to get the kids home for lunch and naps. Hugs were exchanged, promises to visit again tomorrow were made, and then it was just me and Athena again.
“Your brother was crying,” I observed as we sat between the isolettes.
“I know.” Athena smiled softly. “He misses Mom and Dad. Naming the babies after them brought it all back.”
“Do you think we made the right choice?”
“I know we did.” She reached over to take my hand. “Those names are perfect. They connect our babies to everyone we love, everyone we’ve lost. They’ll grow up knowing they’re part of something bigger than just us
Before I could respond, there was a commotion at the NICU entrance. Voices I recognized–Leah, and…
“Are those scrubs really necessary?” Kiara’s voice carried through the space. “They make me look like I’m playing dress–up.”
“Everyone has to wear them,” another voice said patiently. Derek’s voice. “It’s hospital policy.”
I looked at Athena, raising an eyebrow. She just grinned.
A moment later, they appeared–Leah with her mate Marcus, and Kiara with Derek. Derek, who had his hand on the small of Kiara’s back in a way that was unmistakably possessive. Kiara, who was leaning slightly into him like it was the most natural thing in the world.
“Surprise!” Leah announced. “We came to meet the newest pack members.
But I couldn’t stop staring at Kiara and Derek. Together. Touching. Looking comfortable with each other in a way that seemed impossible
given that six months ago they’d barely been able to be in the same room without arguing.
“Tristan, you’re staring,” Athena said quietly, amusement in her voice,
“They’re holding hands,” I said, still processing. “Derek and Kiara are holding hands.”
“Yes, we are,” Kiara said, raising their joined hands. “Been doing it for a couple months now. Shocking, I know.”
“How did I miss this?” I asked Athena.
“You’ve been a little busy,” she pointed out. “What with the pregnancy the wedding, the mating ceremony, and now two premature babies. You tend to think about a lot of things, but apparently not about your best friend’s love life.”
‘It’s recent, Derek said, looking almost embarrassed. “We didn’t want to make a big announcement while you two had so much going on.”
“We’ve been dating since before your wedding actually,” Kiara added. Started after that coffee meeting to coordinate toasts. One minute we were arguing about speech structure, the next we were kissing.”
“Leah told me she saw you,” Athena said, grinning. “I’ve been waiting for you both to admit it.”
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Chapter 401
“You knew?” I asked her. I heard about the kiss too but I felt it was aunt that wouldn’t last a day.
“Of course I knew. Women always know these things.”
I looked at Derek, trying to process this information. My friend–serios, structured Derek with Kiara, who was spontaneous and cigare and completely different from anyone I’d ever imagined him with.
Are you happy?” I asked him directly.
Derek’s expression softened in a way I’d rarely seen. “Yeah. I really am
“Then I’m happy for you,” I said, meaning it. “Both of you.”
“Thank you,” Kiara said, and she actually looked relieved. “I know we’re an odd pairing.”
“The oddest, Derek agreed, but he was smiling. “But it works.”
“Now can I please see these babies I’ve heard so much about?” Leah asked. “Marcus has been dying to meet them.”
Marcus stepped forward, a tall man with kind eyes and an easy smile. He was Leah’s mate–they’d been together for two years, and the worked as a contractor in town. But they had their mating ceremony months before I and Athena.
“Congratulations,” Marcus said, shaking my hand. “Leah hasn’t stopped talking about them all week.”
“Because they’re perfect,” Leah insisted, immediately gravitating to the isolettes. “Oh my god, they’re so tiny! How are they so tiny?
“They were born seven weeks early,” Athena explained. “They’re actually a good size for their gestational age.”
“Which one is which?” Kiara asked, peering into the first isolette.
“That’s Adrian,” I said, pointing. “Our son. And this is Arianna, our daughter.”
“Adrian and Arianna,” Kiara repeated. “Those are beautiful names. Is there a story behind them?”
Athena explained the naming process again–how we’d incorporated family names, honored our parents, created a connection between the
twins.
“That’s really special,” Leah said, wiping at her eyes. “To carry all that history in their names.”
“Can I touch them?” Kiara asked. “Or is that not allowed?”
“You can,” Athena said. “There are portholes in the sides. Just be very gentle.”
I watched as Kiara carefully reached through the porthole to touch Arianna’s hand. The baby’s tiny fingers curled reflexively, and Kitets
whole face softened.
“Hi, baby girl,” she whispered. “I’m your Aunt Kiara. I’m the fun aunt who’s going to teach you all the things your parents say 460 (6.
“Please don’t,” Athena said, but she was laughing.
09:40 Wed, Feb 11 GO
Chapter 401
Derek moved to Adrian’s isolette, looking uncomfortable. “I’ve never been around babies much,” he admitted.
“Just talk to him, I suggested. “He can hear you.”
Derek cleared his throat awkwardly. “Hey, Adrian. I’m Dere make sure you know how to be organized and punctual, unlit
“Hey!” Kiara protested. “I’m standing right here.”
30%
I work with your dad. We’re… friends. And business partners. And I’m going to
your Aunt ara.”
“I know, Derek said, but he was smiling.
Watching them interact–the gentle teasing, the easy comfort–I realized Athena had been right. I’d been so focused on our own life, our own struggles and joys, that I’d completely missed this development.
“They’re good together,” I murmured to Athena as Derek and Kiara continued their playful bickering while cooing at the babies.
“They are,” she agreed. “Different, but good. Sometimes the best relationships are the unexpected ones.”
“Like us,” I said.
“Exactly like us.” She leaned against me carefully, mindful of her still–healing incision. “Second chances leading to something beautiful.”
We spent the next hour with our friends, showing them how the monitors worked, explaining the feeding schedules, details about Adrian and Arianna that we’d learned over the past week.
aring all the tiny
They were getting stronger every day–both now breathing completely on their own without any oxygen support, both maintaining their body temperatures better, both slowly gaining weight.
“When do they come home?” Marcus asked.
“Probably another three to four weeks,” I said. “They need to be able to eat full feedings on their own, maintain their temperature the isolettes, and gain enough weight. The doctors say they’re ahead of schedule though.”
outside
“That’s great,” Leah said. “And we’ve already organized a meal train for when they do come home. The whole employee wants to help.”
“You don’t have to do that,” Athena protested.
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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.
