Page 91 of The Mafia's Quadruplets

My heart races. This is the moment I’ve been dreading and anticipating. I take a deep breath. “No, not a baby,” I say softly. Disappointment flashes across Valerian’s face, and my chest tightens. Before he can respond, I continue. “Four babies. I’m pregnant with quadruplets, somehow. Two singletons and a pair of identical twins.”

Valerian’s eyes widen as various emotions play across his features—shock, excitement, fear. “Quadruplets?” he whispers with awe.

I nod, tears pricking at my eyes. “Matvey must have guessed based on my nausea. He had that woman, Dr. Ivanova, force me to comply with an exam to verify.”

Valerian’s jaw clenches at the mention of Matvey and Dr. Ivanova. “I’m so sorry you had to go through that.” His hand moves to my stomach, resting there gently. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

The hurt in his voice makes my heart ache. “I just found out a short time ago,” I explain. “I was trying to figure out how to tell you. I wasn’t—I’m not—sure you’re happy about it.”

Valerian pulls me into his arms, pressing his forehead against mine. “I understand why you didn’t tell me sooner, but I’ll protect you. All of you.”

Tears spill down my cheeks as relief washes over me. “You’re not upset?”

“Upset?” He pulls back slightly, cupping my face in his hands. “Claire, I’m terrified, and excited, and overwhelmed, but mostly, I’m in awe of you and these four little miracles you’re carrying.”

I laugh through my tears. “That makes two of us.”

Valerian’s thumbs brush away my tears. “I love you, Claire, more than I ever imagined could be possible.”

“I love you too,” I whisper, my heart swelling with emotion.

His expression turns serious. “I promise you, I’ll do everything in my power to keep you and our children safe. I’m going to distance myself from the mafia. I’ll remain the leader, but I’ll put someone else in charge of day-to-day operations.”

I search his eyes, seeing the determination there. “Are you sure? Is that even possible?”

Valerian nods. “It won’t be easy, but for you—for our family—I’ll make it happen. We’re going to build a future together, Claire. A safe, happy future for our children.”

As Valerian’s lips meet mine in a tender kiss, I feel the weight of everything we’ve been through melt away. In this moment, there’s only us and the promise of the life we’ll create together.

The kiss deepens, and I lose myself in the warmth of Valerian’s embrace. His hands roam my body gently, mindful of my injuries. I run my fingers through his hair, relishing the closeness.

When we finally break apart, both breathless, Valerian rests his hand on my stomach again. “Four babies,” he says, wonder in his voice. “How are you feeling about that?”

I laugh softly. “Honestly? Terrified. Excited. Overwhelmed.” I echo his earlier words. “I never thought I’d be able to have children, and now we’re having four at once.”

“Because of the PCOS you mentioned?

I nod. “The doctor said the stress and changes in my life might have triggered some kind of hormonal shift, leading to hyperovulation.”

Valerian nods slowly, processing the information. “And now we’re having quadruplets. Life certainly has a way of surprising us.”

I smile, placing my hand over his on my stomach. “It certainly does. Are you really okay with this, Valerian? Four babies is a lot to take on, especially with everything else going on in our lives.”

Valerian’s gaze is intense. “I won’t pretend it won’t be challenging, but you and these babies are the most important things in my life now.”

“We’re going to need an army to help.” I groan at the thought.

Valerian’s laugh rumbles through his chest. “We’ll have plenty of help. Between your parents and my team, these kids will have an army of protectors and caretakers.”

The image of Valerian’s tough-as-nails associates cooing over babies makes me giggle. “I can just see Dmitri changing diapers now.”

Valerian grins. “He’ll probably approach it like a tactical operation. ‘Team Alpha, secure the perimeter. Team Bravo, prepare the wipes.’”

Our laughter fills the room, the joy of the moment pushing away the darkness of recent events. As our mirth subsides, my thoughts turn amorous.

I lean in, capturing Valerian’s lips with mine. The kiss starts slowly and tenderly but quickly deepens as passion ignites between us. Valerian’s hands wander over my body, gentle yet insistent. I thread my fingers through his hair, pulling him closer.

“Are you sure?” he murmurs against my lips. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

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