Page 169 of Modern Romance Collection December 2024 Books 1-4

Grey House has a nursery set up, along with renovated guest quarters to accommodate the growing Drakos family for family events and holidays. I’ve told Gavriil I want to spend as much of the baby’s first years there as possible, reclaiming some of the innocence of childhood that I lost. He’s come to love Rêve Beach, too. He still prefers the finer things, and always will, as evidenced by the teddy bear he already bought from Tiffany & Co.

But he’s happier, more content. He’s still very involved with Drakos North America, especially now that the deal with Paul Properties went through. Just like Gavriil predicted, the neighborhood is experiencing a resurgence, with Gavriil’s property in high demand. I love watching him work, appreciate that he comes to me and asks for my opinion, my insight.

It’s not perfect. There are still moments where he hesitates, when he struggles to share and open up.

But he does it. He does it and we make it through all of the good and the challenges.

The lights on the wall shift, making it appear as if the stars are falling straight from van Gogh’s painted world into ours. An arm wraps around my waist and pulls me back against a solid, muscular chest.

“I wondered where you’d wandered off to.”

“Worried about the baby?” I tease as I turn in the circle of his arms.

“My child and my wife.”

He says this with unmistakable pride.

“I’m here,” I whisper. “Always.”

He smiles down at me, his eyes warm as his hand settles on my belly.

“I know.”

We share a kiss and then walk hand in hand on to the next chapter of our lives.

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