Page 26 of Echos and Empires
“Home.”
The weightof the day’s events heavy were on his shoulders as Chris and Liam stepped into the house. The moment he crossed the threshold, Emma was there, her hazel eyes searching his face for answers. He gathered the others with a simple gesture, his expression grave.
There was a need to practice shooting now, but there wasn’t the time.
“We need to talk,” Chris said, his voice low and urgent as soon as the others were in the living room. “Victor’s up to something, and it involves these vitamins he’s distributing.”
Alex frowned, leaning forward. “What do you mean? I thought they were supposed to help with fertility. We’ve talked about them at work today.”
Chris shook his head, pulling out the bottle from his pocket. “I don’t trust it. Something’s off about this whole situation.”
Liam nodded, his brow furrowed. “I agree. Victor’s been acting strange lately, and that meeting today only confirmed it.”
Emma placed a gentle hand on Chris’s arm, her touch grounding him. “What do you think we should do?”
Chris met her gaze, his resolve unwavering. “We don’t take them. Not until we know more about what’s really going on.”
Bash crossed his arms, his stance defensive. “But what if they really do help? We can’t afford to take chances, not with everything at stake.”
“We can’t afford to blindly trust Victor either,” Chris countered, his tone leaving no room for argument. “I won’t riskour safety, our future, on a hunch. We stick together on this, understand?”
One by one, the group nodded, their trust in Chris’s judgment evident in their faces. Emma squeezed his hand, her smile soft and reassuring. “We’re with you, always.”
Chris let out a breath, the weight on his shoulders easing slightly. He knew the path ahead wouldn’t be easy, but with his family by his side, he felt ready to face whatever challenges Victor threw their way.
Chris wandered to the window, his gaze distant as he replayed the events in his mind. Victor’s calculated moves, the council member’s warning, the vitamins—it all pointed to a larger, more sinister plan at work.
He thought of Emma, of the love and trust she placed in him, and his resolve hardened. He would do whatever it took to keep her safe, to ensure that their dreams of a family and a future together could become a reality.
Chris knew he couldn’t do it alone, but with his brothers by his side and Emma’s unwavering support, he felt a flicker of hope amidst the uncertainty. Together, they would unravel the truth behind Victor’s intentions and forge a path forward, no matter the obstacles in their way.
The road ahead was shrouded in shadows, but Chris was ready to face them head-on. For Emma, for their future, he would stop at nothing to protect what mattered most. With a deep breath, he turned from the window, his gaze determined as he prepared for the battles to come.
TEN
The paper crinkledunder the back of her knees as Emma fidgeted nervously. Her heart raced with a potent mix of terror and excitement. Today would be the day everything would make sense. The urine test was great, but this would cement everything.
She placed a hand on her still-flat belly, marveling at the new life growing inside her. After giving up a child years ago, she was surprised by the fierce surge of love and protectiveness she already felt for this tiny growing baby.
The door opened and a doctor she’d never seen before with long blonde hair and what looked like an honest smile walked in. She leaned forward to read the name on her coat—Dr. Larsen.
“Good morning, Emma. I’m Doctor Larsen. You’ll be with me throughout the rest of your pregnancy. How are you feeling today?” She smiled wider now, a small crinkle along her eyes only slightly giveaway that she was likely old enough to be Emma’s mom herself.
“Nervous,” Emma admitted with a shaky laugh. “But excited, too. I can’t believe this is really happening.”
Dr. Larsen nodded. “That’s completely normal. Creating a new life is an incredible thing.” She sat down on the stool and opened Emma’s chart on the computer. “Now, there are some special programs we have here on the island for expectant mothers, to ensure the healthiest possible pregnancy and delivery.”
Emma leaned forward, intrigued. “Like what?”
“Well, we provide close monitoring with frequent check-ups in ways that mom’s probably dream of having. You won’t only see your little one on anatomy scans and position checks, but bi-weekly to ensure there are no concerns. There will be prenatal nutrition counseling and supplements. We also have prenatal yoga and fitness classes to keep you strong and limber. Most importantly, there will be therapy sessions both solo and with other pregnant women. What you’re going through is extraordinary and we want to support positive growth and mental health the whole way through.”
“That all sounds amazing,” Emma said, some of her nerves easing. She was grateful to have such comprehensive care available, something that wasn’t available to her even before the bombs exploded the world.
“We’ve found it really improves outcomes for both mother and baby,” Dr. Larsen said. “I’ll also be here any time you have questions or concerns. Never hesitate to reach out, day or night.”
Tears pricked Emma’s eyes at the doctor’s sincere words. After so much uncertainty and danger in her life, it meant the world to have this support. “Thank you, I really appreciate that.”
Dr. Larsen patted her hand. “You’re very welcome. Now, what do you say we take a peek at your little one? Just a quick consent signature and we can get started—some things linger from the old days.”
