The Biker Alpha Who Became My Second Chance Mate
Chapter 406
“They look so tiny in real clothes,” Athena observed, watching as a nurse carefully worked Arianna’s arm through a sleeve.
“They’re going to grow so fast,” the nurse assured her. “Trust me, you blink and they’ll be in six–month sizes.”
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There was paperwork to sign–so much paperwork. Discharge instructions, medication orders, follow–up appointment schedules, consent
forms for the home monitoring equipment.
Finally, mercifully, we were done.
‘Ready?” the nurse asked, Adrian already secured in his car seat, Arianna being strapped into hers.
“Ready,” we said together, though I don’t think either of us felt ready at all.
The nurse insisted on walking us out, hospital policy. She pushed a wheelchair loaded with our discharge papers, flowers that had been delivered over the past weeks, and various items we’d accumulated. I carried Adrian’s car seat in one hand. Athena carried Arianna’s.
The walk through the hospital felt surreal. We’d entered these doors weeks ago in crisis, terrified we were losing our babies. Now we were walking out with both of them, healthy and strong and coming home.
Other people in the hallways smiled at us–some called out congratulations. The receptionist at the main desk waved as we passed.
And then we were outside, in the bright October sunshine, and I was loading my children into our car for the first time.
“Make sure the seat belt is threaded correctly,” Athena said anxiously, hovering as I secured Adrian’s car seat base.
“I am. I checked it three times before we came.”
“And Ari’s?”
“Also checked three times.”
“Maybe we should check again…”
“Athena,” I straightened up and took her hands. “They’re safe. I promise they’re safe.”
She nodded, taking a shaky breath. ‘Okay. Okay, let’s go home.”
The drive back to our house was the most nerve–wracking fifteen minutes of my life. I drove ten miles under the speed limit, came to complete stops at every sign, checked my mirrors constantly. Behind me, both babies slept peacefully in their car seats, completely unaware of the momentous nature of this journey.
When we pulled into our driveway, I let out a breath I didn’t know I’d been holding.
“We made it, Athena said.
“We made it, I agreed.
And then, carefully, reverently, we carried our children into their home for the first time.
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Chapter 406
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The house seemed different somehow, even though nothing had changed. But now it held our entire family. Now it was complete.
I set Adrian’s car seat down in the living room, and Athena placed Arianna’s beside it. We both just stood there, staring at our babies, hardly believing this was real.
“They’re home, Athena whispered. “Tristan, they’re really home.”
“They are,” I said, wrapping my arm around her shoulders. “Our family is home.”
Arianna stirred, making a small sound, and then her face scrunched up and she began to cry–that distinctive newborn wail that demanded
immediate attention.
went.
“She’s hungry, Athena said, immediately moving to unbuckle her. I’ll feed her. Can you get her bottle ready?”
And just like that, we were parents. Not NICU parents with nurses to guide us. Just parents, alone with our babies, figuring it out as we
It was terrifying.
It was overwhelming.
It was absolutely perfect.
As I warmed Arianna’s bottle and Athena settled into the rocking chair with our daughter, as Adrian began to fuss and I picked him up for the first time in our home, I felt something settle deep in my chest.
This was it. This was everything I’d never known I wanted. Everything I’d thought I’d lost forever.
A home. A family. A second chance at happiness.
And as I looked at Athena feeding our daughter while I cradled our son. I sent up a silent prayer of gratitude to the Moon Goddess who had brought us all together.
We were home.
All of us.
Finally.
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.
