Page 32 of Captive Bride

I closed my eyes and smiled.

Chapter Fourteen: Tristan

The baby’s cries pierced the sterile silence of dawn, a chorus of new life that had everyone in the room stand still for just a moment.

I looked over at Adriana, her short dark hair plastered to her forehead with sweat, her chest heaving with the aftermath of labor. Our twins had arrived in the world in the most unexpected way—too soon, too hurriedly—in our own home, no less. And me? I was the one who caught my son as he took his first shuddering gasp of air.

"Tristan," Adriana whispered, her voice a testament to both exhaustion and wonder. The medical staff, a swarm of blue scrubs and focused faces, buzzed around us, their movements precise and quick as they tended to our tiny premature babies. My heart raced, a chaotic drumbeat matching the flurry of activity in the small hospital room.

"Adriana, they're beautiful," I said, gripping her hand, the strength in her fingers surprising me. Her gaze locked onto mine, searching for reassurance, finding it in the depth of my overwhelming joy. I nodded toward the bassinets where our children lay under the watchful eyes of the nurses. "They're fighters, like their mom."

A nurse approached, her smile gentle but her eyes sharp and assessing. "We'll take good care of them, Dad. And you, Mom, let's check your vitals again." Adriana gave a curt nod, the corners of her mouth lifting ever so slightly. That's my Ade, always composed even when her world turns upside down.

I watched as another nurse checked the IV drip that snaked its way into Adriana’s arm, ensuring the fluids were flowing correctly. Only when I was satisfied that she was getting the care she needed did I allow myself to edge closer to the incubators holding our twins.

"Hey there," I murmured, my voice cracking with unspoken promises and a fierce protectiveness I hadn't known before. The warmth of my breath fogged up the clear plastic as I peered inside. They were so small, their skin almost translucent, but their chests rose and fell with a steady rhythm that sang of resilience.

"Callum and Catherine," I whispered their names like a prayer, the plans we'd made suddenly feeling distant and unsure. But right then, none of it mattered. All the uncertainty, the fear of not being enough for them—it all dissolved in the face of their quiet determination to simply be here.

"Tristan," Adriana called softly, beckoning me back to her side. Her palm felt warm against mine, our fingers intertwiningnaturally. Together, we watched the first rays of sunlight filter through the window, casting a soft glow on the fragile new lives beside us. It was the start of a new day, of a new life, of a family forged not in blood and legacy, but in love and sheer willpower.

But that didn’t last very long. People kept coming in and out of the room; checking Adriana, checking the babies.

The weight of the hospital room pressed against me, a cacophony of beeping machines and soft footsteps outside the curtain that served as my makeshift privacy barrier. I gripped the metal bars of the bed tightly, my knuckles whitening under the strain, and slowly pulled myself up. I had to do this—for them, for her.

"Come on, Tristan," I muttered, willing my legs to support the sudden shift in balance. The doctors said it would take time, but time was a luxury I couldn't afford. Adriana needed me on my feet, strong and capable. Our twins needed a father who could stand tall against the chaos our lives were destined to bring.

The first step sent a jolt of pain through my leg, a stark reminder of the bullet that had changed everything. But the sharpness of it was nothing compared to the fear that simmered beneath the surface. What if I failed them? Failed her?

"Tristan?" Adriana's voice, laced with concern, cut through my internal battle.

I turned my head, catching her gaze from across the room. She was watching me, her eyes wide, reflecting a mix of worry and something else—pride? I flashed her a small smile, the kind that didn't quite reach my eyes but did its job well enough.

"Hey, just trying out the merchandise," I joked, the laughter in my voice hollow but hopeful.

"Careful," she replied, the corner of her mouth lifting despite the shadows beneath her eyes. "Don't overdo it."

"Wouldn't dream of it," I said, easing back onto the wheelchair, my heart pounding against my chest like a silent drum of war. There was so much at stake, and I was determined not to let them down. Not now, not ever.

I rolled over to the bed and sat next to her as we watched our babies sleep.

"Look at them, Tristan," Adriana whispered, her voice a blend of wonder and trepidation. Tears brimmed in her eyes, mirroring mine as we watched over our premature miracles swaddled in hospital blues.

I nodded, unable to find words worthy of this moment. "They're perfect," I finally managed, my voice cracking with emotion.

"Callum and Catherine," she murmured, giving voice to the plan we had made what felt like ages ago. "But they don't...they don't look like a Callum or a Catherine, do they?"

"Definitely not," I agreed with a soft chuckle, despite the lump in my throat. In truth, I had no clue what a Callum or a Catherine should look like, but these babies, our babies, seemed to demand names as unique as their entrance into the world.

"Then what?" She squeezed my hand, searching my face for answers I wasn't sure I had.

"Something strong. Something that speaks of who they'll become." I turned to meet her eyes, finding solace in the connection between us.

"Like their father," Adriana replied, a faint smile playing on her lips.

"Or their mother," I countered, letting the banter ease the weight of our shared anxiety.

“If you’re dead set on calling her Catherine after your mom…”

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