Page 79 of Vampire Blood

I rolled my eyes, nudging him playfully. “You mean you want to name them after you, don’t you?”

“Why not?” he said, utterly shameless. “Lucian would be a perfect name for our son.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at his confidence. “I suppose that wouldn’t be too bad. But I think we should consider something a little less... narcissistic.”

He chuckled, then pretended to think. “Alright, alright. What about... Annabelle, for a girl? It’s elegant, regal even. Definitely suits a little girl born from someone as amazing as you.”

My heart fluttered at the thought, but I couldn’t resist teasing him. “Annabelle? Is that your way of telling me I’m a princess?”

He winked, grinning wide. “You could say that. After all, I’m the king, and you’re the queen of my heart.”

I laughed, playfully shoving him away. “Stop it! We can’t name our child after royalty, Lucas. They’ll grow up with expectations of grandeur that they’ll never be able to meet.”

He leaned in closer, his grin softening into something more sincere. “Fair enough. So, what do you have in mind, then? I’m all ears.”

I thought for a moment, feeling the weight of the decision settle in. “Well, maybe... something simple. Strong, but simple. A name that will make them feel grounded, like they belong.”

He tilted his head, his curiosity piqued. “Grounded, huh? You mean like something from nature? A name that feels… earthy?”

“Exactly,” I said, feeling my heart settle into the idea. “Maybe something like Aiden for a boy. It means fiery one. I like the idea of our son having the strength to face whatever life throws at him.”

Lucas’ expression softened as he considered it. “Aiden… I like it. Strong, fiery… but not too over the top. I can get behind that.”

I smiled, glad to see him on board. “And for a girl, maybe Lila. It means night, or dark beauty.”

He looked at me, eyes filled with admiration. “Lila… it’s perfect. A name that feels as beautiful and mysterious as you.”

I smiled, a warm blush spreading across my cheeks. “You always know how to flatter me.”

Lucas chuckled, then pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead. “I think we’ve got two good options now. Aiden or Lila… either way, they’ll be perfect. Just like you.”

I rested my head against his chest, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat soothing me, grounding me. I felt the life growing inside me, the weight of it both humbling and thrilling. Everything felt so right. Everything had led us here, and now, in this moment, I knew that this was where we were meant to be.

“I’m so happy,” I whispered, my voice soft, yet filled with all the emotion I couldn’t quite express. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”

He held me tighter, his arms wrapping around me as if he were afraid to let go, even for a second. “Me too,” he murmured, his lips brushing against my hair. “I didn’t know it was possible to feel this complete.”

Lucas pulled back just enough to look me in the eyes, his expression tender, filled with the same deep affection that had carried us through everything. “I love you,” he said, his voice steady, as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

I could hear him say it over and over again and never get tired of it. He made my heart so full, so peaceful, so beloved.

“I love you too,” I replied softly, my heart swelling with every word, threatening to burst at the seams. “More than you could ever know.”

He kissed me then, gentle and slow, as if savoring the peace we’d found. In that kiss, I could feel all the promises of our future, all the unspoken dreams and hopes we would build together.

As we pulled away, I looked out over the town. I couldn’t see the damage anymore. I couldn’t see the scars from the battles we’d fought. All I could see was a future. Our future. And in that moment, I knew that everything would be alright.

We would build it all again, brick by brick, together. And nothing, not even the darkness we had faced, could take that away.

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