Seventy-Nine…

Seventy-Nine: Twin Miracles

There is a video in the middle of this chapter, outlining the passage of time (flash forward). You need to watch it or you’ll miss important occurrences in the story. If you don’t like the music, just turn it down. Most of the movie will be actual video instead of only pictures.

Dawn emerged.

Kat awakened in the clinic’s maternity ward. Searing, agonizing pain rippled throughout her belly.

Oh, yeah. The quickie cesarean.

Hunter was in the midst of a conversation with himself… or with her. She wasn’t sure which.

She pretended to stay asleep.

“Vaclav and I have called a truce,” he said. “After what’s happened, we swore to never fight again.”

“I wish you could hear me, Kat. Vaclav and I are no longer enemies. He even gave me permission to marry you.” He paused. “And… I can’t tell you how sorry I am for causing the accident that hurt you, and almost killed our sons.”

Kat squirmed; turned her head to regard him.

“I want to see my babies. Where are they?”

“They’re alive, aren’t they?” she added.

“Yes.”

“Was it Reznik who saved them?”

“Yes. He used a spell to mature their lungs so they could breathe on their own. Right now they’re in the nursery for observation. They’re still too tiny and weak to take home.”

“I can’t believe it. The big brother I’ve always hated and envied saved my babies.”

Reznik. Maybe you’re not so bad after all. Maybe there’s enough forgiveness to go around?

Hunter guided her to the nursery, then gently held her from behind.

Peering in, she could barely see her twins. They were near the back hooked up to IVs and other devices. A monitor beeped their heart rate. Hunter explained that if one stopped breathing, an alarm would alert the nurses.

“Let’s go inside to see them, okay?” Hunter said. She nodded. Fear gripped her heart. What would she find once she saw her babies up close? Could she stand to observe their weakened, tiny bodies?

Once again, Hunter embraced her. She leaned against him for support.

It wasn’t quite as bad as she thought. The two looked… cute. Adorable. Mini replicas of robust infants. Maybe Reznik’s spell did more than what he’d intended?

Then again, they were still entirely too small.

Tristan and Justin would be their names.

Beep, beep, beep.

Behind them, Reznik, Vaclav and Aubrey stood watching as well.

“I’m sorry for ever blaming you about Kat and Hunter’s relationship,” Vaclav muttered kissing Aubrey’s cheek.

Time passed.

Hard to believe almost a year has flown by, Kat thought. Tristan and Justin are ten months old, Hunter and I are engaged, and now I live in his perfect house across town.

Yes. Daddy finally let me go. However, Mom still couldn’t bear to look at me sometimes. I could see the agony in her eyes whenever she did, as if some part of her still loved Hunter.

I’d forgiven Reznik for being an ass all those years. And even though he still got on my nerves at times, I could never repay him for saving the lives of my children… but a small part of me couldn’t forgive Hunter for causing that accident. I tried to keep that part of my mind shoved far away and buried. After all, he hadn’t meant to do it.

Our boys played as Hunter and I made out on the floor. I never imagined things could be so perfect.

Tristan giggled.

“Ma-ma-ma-ma-da-da-daddy,” Justin said.

Kat didn’t really hear their cute chattering, or the sounds of their blocks as they threw them across the room. She was too busy gazing into her lover’s scarlet eyes.

Her dream had come true.

They found their way upstairs to the bedroom. Hunter hovered over her like some hawk preparing to consume its prey.

…which was fine with Kat.

As his lips got closer, the boys downstairs began to cry.

Kat was glad to be on birth control.

The following night the doorbell chimed.

Her father stood at the threshold. “You’ve given me chills, Katerina.”

“Why’s that?” Her brows furrowed.

“You look just like your mother with your hair up like that.”

Kat smiled, shrugged, then turned to let him in.

Vaclav took Justin and tickled him. They babbled at one another for a while; then her father grew serious again.

“I’ve something I need to give to you,” he said.

As he put down Justin, the other twin started fussing. Then they both fussed.

Kat stiffened slightly with stress. Could they be hungry? Sleepy? Both?

“I finally got your necklace fixed, Princess. Here.” He took an object from his pocket, opened his palm.

Kat looked down in shock.

“Dad! Thank you!”

“No. Don’t thank me. I never should’ve broken it to begin with.” His smile evaporated.

Kat retrieved the necklace and fastened it behind her neck.

They hugged for a few moments. Once they parted, Kat wasn’t sure of what to say.

“Um… I know you said I shouldn’t thank you, but thank you anyway.” This really means a lot to me, Dad.

“You’re welcome, Princess.” Vaclav warmly smiled.

Meanwhile a certain Dempire lingered on the back patio, waiting for the Senior Haas to leave.

There was no more room for forgiveness.

Gavin the Assassin has returned, and he will seek vengeance upon those who… fucked him over.

And what better vengeance than to take a loved one? Or two? Or three?