Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 109716 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 549(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109716 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 549(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
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 watched 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.