Nova’s POV
“Has she been given a name?” I asked, gazing down at my niece’s tiny hand, her tiny fingers wrapped around my pinky. She was the most precious thing I had ever seen, and I couldn’t help but feel a surge of love for her.
Tamsyn shook her head, her eyes never leaving her daughter’s face. “No, we haven’t given her a name yet,” she said, her voice soft and full of wonder. “I was so sure it would be a boy, and I’d been planning to name him after his father. But now… I’m at a loss. I don’t know what to name her.” She paused, her gaze shifting to meet mine. “I want her name to be perfect, to capture everything she is.”
“What about Dahlia?” Prescott spoke up for the first time since we got to the pack and I had to turn around to stare at my husband from where he was standing at the far end of the room.
“Dahlia?” I asked, not believing Prescott would want to take up the task of naming my niece.
“Why Dahlia?” Tamsyn asked from where she was lying down on the hospital bed.
Prescott shrugged, standing before the window with his gaze out of the window. “It means ‘flower’ in Old Norse,” he explained. “It’s a beautiful name, and it would suit her perfectly.”
I couldn’t help but smile. Dahlia was a fitting name for our little girl, and it felt right somehow. I looked back at Tamsyn, and she nodded, her eyes shining with tears.
“Dahlia,” she repeated softly, stretching her hands for her baby and I went up to her and carefully placed little Dahlia beside her on the bed. She smiled, holding her daughter close. “It’s perfect. I love it.”
As the name “Dahlia” settled over us like a warm blanket, I couldn’t help but smile. It was perfect for our little girl. I walked over to Prescott, wrapping my arms around him from behind and pressing my cheek to his back. I felt his muscles tense, and then relax as he melted into my embrace.
“So you’re a pro at naming babies, huh?” I teased, my hands smoothing over the fabric of his shirt. He snorted in response, he moved his hand up to his chest and placed it on my hand on his chest. Brushing his thumb against my hand.
“You might say that,” he replied, a sly grin spreading across my face as he lifted my hand and planted a soft kiss on my palm.
“Or maybe my niece is just lucky,” I said, a smirk playing on my lips. I pulled my hand free from his grasp, reaching back to place it against his chest. I love the feeling of his heart beating beneath my palm, strong and steady.
“Lucky?” He asked with a chuckle. I nodded, my head bumping against his back.
“I don’t think that’s the right word to use.” He turned in my arms, and we held each other, our foreheads touching. “I’ve always wanted to have a daughter, so naming your niece isn’t a big deal.”
“Ahh.” I gulped, not knowing what to say. The thought of Prescott wishing to have a daughter of his own made me speechless and I had to pull away from him.
“Let’s get out of here.” I grabbed his wrist and pulled him out of the hospital. I would have bid my sister and my little niece ‘goodbye’ but they were already fast asleep.
“Over there.” I dragged him along with me as I made my way towards the bench at the back of our building.
I wiped a part of the bench and flashed a smile at Prescott, “Here, sit.” I said, patting the spot beside me. Prescott hesitated for a moment, then wiped the seat free of dust and grime before giving me his brightest smile ever.
“There you go,” he said, giving me a quick wink.
“Thank you.” I smiled, grabbed his hand and we both sat down on the long bench. His body brushed against mine as we sat beside each other on the bench. His body feels so warm and I love the warmth of his body.
“Do you remember this place?” I asked, grabbed his hand and wrapped it around my back and I rested my head on his shoulder.
“Um,” he nodded, brushing his thumb against my bare shoulder. “The night I found you here, crying,” Prescott said, breaking the stillness. “I didn’t know why I couldn’t sleep that night. I just felt restless, so I wandered around the compound until I found myself here. It was only then that I heard the sound of someone crying.” He gave a small laugh, but it was a gentle sound, not mocking or cruel. “I didn’t realize it was you until I got closer.”
I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment at the memory, but Prescott’s soft chuckle put me at ease. “I must have been quite a sight,” I said, trying to joke about it but he stopped laughing.
“That night,” he sighed, placing his head on mine, “I was so worried. I wanted to know why you were crying and who made you cry. But… I…”
“It’s fine now.” I cleared my throat, I couldn’t bring myself to tell him that I was crying because I had agreed to help my sister kill him and later regretted it. How can I possibly say that? “It’s not like I would have told you if you asked.”
“I know.” he chuckled softly.
I raised my head from his shoulder and adjusted to my seat. “Do you know that I hated you the first time I met you?” I asked, wondering if he had any idea.
He shrugged off his shoulders, acting like what I said wasn’t a big deal. “I know. I didn’t like you either.”
“Hey?” I scoffed, bumping my shoulder against his, pretending to be annoyed.
“Not anymore, though.” he chuckled, grabbed my waist and pulled me to his body. “What about you?” he whispered into my ear, tucking a few strands of hair behind my ear.
“What?” I mumbled, drawing a circle on his chest.
“Do you still hate me?” he cleared his throat and I shook my head. “Use your word.”
“Hate you?” I blurted out, my eyes wide. “But we’re in love. And I’m carrying your child. Why would I still hate you?” I felt my face grow warm as the words left my mouth, realizing I had said too much. I hadn’t meant to say it out loud, but now that it was out in the open, I couldn’t take it back.
Prescott’s gaze softened, and he reached out to take my hand in his. “You…”
“Yes. I’ve known about it since after the incident but I didn’t know how to tell you.” I bit my lip, staring down at the floor.
“My Queen…?”
“I was so scared you would not like the thought of having kids, so I didn’t tell you. But now that I know you have always wanted a daughter, I only hope it is a girl.” I breathed out the heavy load I had been carrying all this while.
“I love you, and I don’t mind if our baby is a boy or girl,” he said, his voice full of emotion. “And I’m honoured to know that we’re having a child… Soon.” he sniffed.
I moved my gaze to stare at his face, and I was shocked to see Prescott in tears. “Why…?”
“It’s because I’m happy and I don’t know how to express my happiness.” he chuckled softly, trying to wipe out his tears but I grabbed his hand, wiping his tears with my thumbs before planting a kiss on his face.
“Don’t cry. Our baby would be upset to see her daddy in tears.” I scolded him with a smile on my face. I grabbed his hand and moved it to my stomach.
“Now, apologize to our Princess.”
“I’m sorry, Kalyndra,” he mumbled with a shy smile.
“Kalyndra?” I smiled widely, “Is that what you will name her?” I asked and he nodded with a smile.
“I love it.” I moved my hands to his face and cupped his cheeks, “I know you’re going to be an amazing Dad to Kalyndra, and I’m more than happy to bring your child into the world.” I smiled and planted a soft peck on his cheek.
“And you’re going to be an amazing Mom to our daughter. Ever since the day I saw you with that boy ‘Hart’ in that coffee shop, I’ve been wanting to see you with our child.” he wrapped his arms around my neck and pressed his forehead gently against mine.
“Thanks for making it happen.” he smiled, capturing my lips in a slow, yet passionate kiss I’ve ever had.
If someone had told me a year ago that the man I hated most in the world would turn out to be my husband, I would have called them crazy. But here we were, married and expecting our first child. And he wasn’t just any husband, but a compassionate and loving partner who always put my needs first. I hoped that our baby, Kalyndra, would help us to continue to be the happiest couple in the nation. It was a bold claim, but I was determined to make it a reality.
THE FIRST BOOK ENDS HERE