by Lylah James
His other hand came up and rested against our baby’s fat rump.
We held our daughter, cradling her in our embrace as she fed.
While still suckling, she made a small noise…maybe it was of contentment. But it sounded sleepy too.
And then she slowly blinked her eyes open.
Oh.
A tiny gasp escaped past my lips.
Then I smiled. So beautiful.
Our gazes locked. And I fell in love for a second time.
Blue to green.
Tears blurred my vision. “She has your eyes, Alessio.”
The same exact eyes as her father.
Her crying and moving halted.
Giant bluish steel-colored eyes blinked up at me, framed with thick long lashes.
Her little rosebud mouth pursed around my nipple, and I thought she sighed.
Wait…did she smile? Was that a smile?
“She smiled,” Alessio said, completely enamored at the sight of our daughter.
I knew someone would argue and tell us it was caused by gas or that newborn babies didn’t smile…but she smiled. At me.
And then at her father when her eyes met his.
My heart constricted as father and daughter watched each other. My breath caught, and I sniffled back tears.
Her suckling had stopped, and she blinked.
“She really is your daughter,” I muttered, holding her even tightly.
“She is…she is ours,” Alessio replied, rubbing a finger gently over Princess’s plump rosy cheek. “She is so perfect,” he continued.
I agreed. Perfect. That she was.
When it was clear she’d had her fill and was almost asleep, Alessio helped me tie my bodice again.
Princess blinked her eyes sleepily, and then they closed. She was asleep in mere seconds.
I pulled her up and buried my nose in her tiny neck. Breathing in her sweet baby smell, I smiled and then whispered ever so gently, “I love you, my sweet baby.”
I held her for as long as I could. But sleep and tiredness took over me. There was no helping it. I was going under faster than I wanted.
Alessio quietly took her out of my arms, and I dreamily saw him carrying her to her crib. After placing her down, he came back to my side.
“Go to sleep, Angel. I will be watching over both of you,” he muttered softly to my ear.
He kissed me on my lips. I savored his taste before closing my eyes and succumbing to my sleep.
I had no fear. No panic.
Only love. I felt fulfilled.
I felt safe under my husband’s watchful gaze.
I knew he would protect me and Princess. We were both safe and loved by this ruthless man.
Chapter 34
My head was drowsy when I woke up. Blinking my eyes open several times, I tried to stare around the dark room.
Only a lamp was on.
I turned my face to the side to see Alessio sitting on the couch next to my bed. He wasn’t alone, though.
In his arms, Princess laid there. Actually, she was laid on his chest. Alessio had a hand supporting her head and the other over her butt.
Her cute round cheek was pressed against Alessio’s chest, her eyes closed as she slept soundly.
“You’re awake,” Alessio murmured quietly.
“Was she crying?” I wondered out loud.
Alessio shook his head. “No. I just felt like holding her.”
It appeared like this would be an everyday occurrence.
“How long was I asleep for?” I questioned, trying to sit up.
He stood up with our baby girl still held tightly in his arms. “About an hour. Everyone is waiting to meet you and Princess.”
My eyes widened, and I smacked my forehead. “Oh no. I fell asleep. I’m so sorry. Why didn’t they come in? They could have met Princess while I was sleeping.”
Alessio placed Princess back into her crib and came to my side. Placing a kiss on my forehead, he smiled. “I forbid them from coming in. They would have disturbed both your and our daughter’s sleep.”
“That’s not nice. They have been waiting so long to meet her,” I fought back with a hard look.
Alessio shrugged. “Don’t care. You were tired, and that’s more important.”
“Call them in now. It’s time they meet the little one,” I replied with a sigh. I couldn’t help but smile though.
With a sigh, he went and did as he was told.
The door opened, and a few minutes later, everyone started to pile in.
Lyov and Isaak practically pushed everyone aside and came inside excitedly. Poor Viktor was crushed against the side of the door.
Then in came Viktor and Phoenix. Nikolay and Maddie were last.
“How are you feeling?” Lyov asked, coming to stand in front of my bed.
“Tired but happy. I can’t wait to go back home,” I replied.
He nodded. “Of course.”
I saw his eyes seeking the crib. When his gaze found it, he looked at me, as if asking for permission. With my nod, he walked over there.
Alessio was already standing beside the crib protectively.
Isaak came to my side and placed a kiss on my forehead. “Thank you for giving everyone this gift. I haven’t seen Lyov this excited and happy in years. Decades.”
My eyes blurred with unshed tears as I watched Lyov stare at Princess. He was speechless and held a fist to his mouth. I knew he was trying to hold in his tears.
Isaak walked over to the crib too, standing beside Lyov.
“She is a beauty,” Isaak announced proudly.
“Why is everyone calling her beautiful? Newborns look like a bunch of old potatoes,” Viktor drawled with a laugh.
Did he just call my daughter ugly? That earned him a fierce glare from me.
“Move. Let me see the potato,” Viktor said. He sauntered to the crib and stood beside Alessio.
And then silence.
“Potato, my ass,” Maddie chuckled in my ear.
Viktor’s eyes widened, and he froze. He looked completely mesmerized, just like the other three men standing around her crib.
I noticed that Phoenix had made his way there too. Only one person was missing.
When my eyes met his, I found him leaning against the wall in the far corner. Always alone. Always reclusive.
“Why are you there?” I asked softly.
Nikolay shrugged, his eyes going to the crib. He looked like he wanted to be there, but he stayed still.
“Don’t want to scare her,” he finally replied, pointing at his scars.
My heart stuttered at his words. Did he really think that?
I had the urge to go to him and wrap him in a tight hug.
Shaking my head, I looked back at the five gathering men. Nikolay belonged there. With them, watching over my daughter.
Phoenix stepped away. He made this way to his cousin. “Stop being a pussy,” he said lightly.
I smiled when Phoenix dragged Nikolay to the crib. The poor guy appeared frightened.
And then they were all standing around the crib.
It was an impressive sight. Six big muscled men standing around a crib that held only a tiny baby.
From my bed, I couldn’t even see the crib…let alone her.
Viktor had his head practically shoved inside the crib. Alessio puffed his chest out, looking very proud.
“Fuck. This is not good. Not good,” Viktor muttered quietly. I saw all the men nodding in agreement.
Huh?
“Definitely not good,” Lyov added just as quietly. My eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
“She has them wrapped around her tiny fingers already,” Maddie muttered, sitting beside me.
I simply nodded. It was true. Was it possible to say that I was the happiest mother alive at that moment?
My princess had all the love she needed. All the love I never had.
“You did good,” Maddie continued.
I held her hands in mine as we wat
ched the men watching the princess.
A knock sounded on the door, and I called out a soft, “Come in.”
Evaline walked in with a large bouquet of flowers. “Hey, babe!” she said cheerfully, coming to my side.
“How did you get here?” I asked, astonished as she hugged me.
“Viktor sent me the private jet. I came as soon as I got the news,” she mumbled back quietly.
Her eyes went to the boys, and she raised her eyebrows in question. Maddie chuckled. “You don’t even want to know, girl.”
“Looks like she’ll be leading them with just a flick of her finger. I can imagine them wagging their tails and following behind her,” she replied with a humorous laugh.
“Have you thought of a name yet?” Evaline continued.
“Uh huh. Alessio and I will announce it when we get home.”
We had the perfect name for our princess. And we couldn’t wait to share it with everyone.
“I’ll just wait for the boys to finish with their admiring so I can see the princess,” she said with a sigh.
“You’ll be waiting for hours. I don’t see them moving anytime soon,” Maddie laughed.
I laughed because Maddie was absolutely right.
“Well, never mind then. My turn to hold the princess.” Evaline winked before walking to the crib. She pushed her way between the men and bent down.
Holding my baby girl in the crook of her arms, she smiled. “Look at the little cutie. She is so adorable and so small.”
“You’re supposed to hold her neck,” Alessio said urgently. He moved and tried to hold Princess with his hand.
“Emm…I know how to hold a baby, Alessio. And I am holding her neck.”
“Make sure the blanket is wrapped tightly around her. Ivy said it keeps her warm. Like she’s still in her mother’s womb. Don’t move her too much. She’s sleeping…”
Oh well.
I leaned back and watched the drama unfold.
Chapter 35
When the car came to a stop, I stepped out. Alessio helped Princess out of her infant car seat. Placing her in my arms, he gave me a quick kiss.
My heart fluttered like it always did whenever Alessio was close or touching me. His arm went around my waist as we walked into the house with the guys, Maddie, and Evaline following closely behind.
As soon as I was inside, my baby was no longer in my arms.
Nope. One second she was there and then Lena stole her from me. I didn’t have a chance to blink, either.
Everyone was gathered, trying to take a peek at the little princess.
“Awww, just look at her. Such an innocent and adorable face. It’s hard to believe she’s Alessio’s daughter. But it’s definitely obvious she is Ayla’s,” Lena joked, her eyes practically twinkling with happiness.
“Oh, just wait until she opens her eyes. She is Alessio’s all right,” I replied.
Alessio had his hands on either side of my hips, and I leaned back against him, my back to his front as I laid my head on his chest.
“Oh yes. Maddie said she has Alessio’s eyes.”
“Maria’s eyes,” Lyov added. He went to stand beside Lena, looking down at the small bundle of joy.
At the mention of Alessio’s mother, my heart ached for Lyov. But I knew he was going to be okay. He had smiled more than I could count in the last twenty-four hours than I had ever seen him.
Isaak said he was the happiest he’d been since Maria’s death.
We didn’t have to go far to see how much Lyov admired his granddaughter. His gaze was filled with tenderness and warmth, not something I was used to seeing on Lyov.
But there he was, completely wrapped around her little finger.
With Lena still holding the baby, we walked into the living room. Alessio made me sat down on the couch as Lena settled beside me. Alessio stayed standing as Maddie sat on my other side.
Lena softly moved her fingertips on Princess’s lip. And then her cute button nose. She made a small adorable quacking sound and moved impatiently in her tight blanket.
For a newborn, she moved a lot. No wonder she was always playing practice in my belly.
“What’s her name?” Lena asked.
I looked up at Alessio, and his smile widened. The indent in his cheek made my stomach squeeze. I could feel my own smile.
“Maila Lena Ivanshov.”
The name slipped past my lips effortlessly. It felt so right. Alessio had instantly agreed on the name when I asked him about it a few months ago.
I still remember clearly how affected he looked when I explained the meaning behind the name. He had kissed me soundly, hard and bruising. And then he had proceeded to make love to me for the whole night.
“It’s for all three mothers,” Alessio explained, his voice warm and deep.
“Maila is after mine and Alessio’s mother. Maria and Leila. We put both names together to get Maila. And it’s sounds really beautiful too. Lena…well, Lena is for our second mother,” I continued.
My gaze found Lena’s, and she was silently crying. “She is also named after you. For being our mother and for giving us the love that our mothers never had a chance to give us.”
“Maila Lena Ivanshov,” Lyov said slowly. He looked down at Maila, our little princess.
Lyov smiled and took her in his arms. He held her out, a palm under her neck while her tiny feet rested against his chest. “Such a beautiful name. A strong name too. After three strong women. Fit for a true warrior princess.”
“It’s beautiful,” Isaak agreed. His voice sounded a little weird too, like he was trying not to cry.
“Your mothers would be proud of both of you,” Lena said. “Look at you both. After everything, you have come out stronger.”
I didn’t say anything, only because I didn’t know what to say. My throat felt tight with emotions, and Alessio looked like he was having the same problem.
“Okay…gift time!” Maddie announced when everyone fell silent.
I smiled. I guessed it was gift time.
Everyone presented their gifts, and my heart leaped with happiness. My family. Finally, it was the boys’ turn.
“Her gift is upstairs,” Nikolay announced. “In the piano room.”
Oh. Feeling giddy at the thought, I got off the couch.
I finally noticed that Alessio had disappeared. Looking around me, I stopped and searched for him.
“He’s upstairs, waiting for you,” Maddie said gently. With a push, I made my way to the piano room…with everyone following behind.
I got inside to find Alessio standing in the middle. He winked and smiled before opening his arms for me. My feet took me right into his open arms.
Curling into his embrace, I sighed in utter contentment.
“Ready for their gift?” he muttered in my ear. I nodded against his chest before pulling away.
He stepped back and moved away from me. That was when my eyes noticed something new next to the piano. It was covered with a blanket, so I couldn’t see it.
“What is this?” I asked, already making my way to it.
“It’s for Princess. Our gift to her,” Viktor said, his time his voice serious.
I pulled the blanket away, and a small gasp escaped past my lips.
Oh, how beautiful.
“This is…I’m speechless…” I said, running my hand over the soft silk material.
It was a cute baby bassinet. Small but so beautiful.
To my surprise, it was a rocking bassinet. The bedding was soft and a pale pink color. The curtains were made of lace, and it fell on either side of the bassinet.
The rest of it was made of wood, but everything was practically covered with the curtains and silk sheet.
I rubbed my hand over the wood and smiled. Now Maila had a beautiful place to lay in when I was playing the piano.
It was simply perfect.
I moved to its front, and my smile widened. On top from where the curtains came together and were attached, there
was a small piece of wood.
On it, PRINCESS was written in cursive letters.
I felt Alessio at my back, and I leaned into his warm body.
“This is so beautiful and thoughtful. I will keep the bassinet in here, so that Maila can listen to me play while resting,” I said softly.
“That’s the plan,” Phoenix replied. I could hear the cheeky smile in his voice.
“They spent two months building it,” Alessio muttered against my temple.
My mouth fell open. “You guys built it?” I asked in shock.
Swiveling around, I faced all three of them. They looked suddenly shy.
“It took us some time and many tries. But we got it right in the end. Maila deserves a gift made from our own hands,” Nikolay said.
I blinked back unshed tears. My nose was prickling, and my eyes were burning. Happy tears. I remembered Alessio promising me only happy tears. He kept his vow.
Lena handed me Princess, and I placed a kiss on her tiny forehead. Alessio did the same. A sweet soft kiss.
Her lips pursed in a cute pout, and I smiled. Completely and utterly happy. I was finally whole.
I gently placed her in the bassinet. Alessio wrapped his arm around my hips, his head buried in my neck.
This was what I needed. What I had dreamed of since I was a child.
While every day I was living a nightmare, I had dreamed of this. Hoped for this.
And now it was my reality.
Love, happiness, and peace.
I had all of it.
And my daughter had all of it too.
Thank God Alessio parked his car there on that fateful day.
It was meant to be from the very beginning.
We were meant to be.
Chapter 36
Alessio
5 weeks later
A quiet but sudden cry woke me up. I groaned sleepily and pulled Ayla closer into my body. My face was buried in her neck, my arm wrapped tightly around her waist. I heard her moan, and she shifted around.
The cries continued.
Opening my eyes, darkness welcomed me. Except for the tiny lamp shining behind my back.
Princess continued to cry softly. She seemed annoyed and agitated. Definitely not hungry. Ayla just fed her a few hours ago.