Page 66 of Untouchable Queen
The late afternoon sun bathes the park in golden light, the kind that makes everything feel like it belongs in a memory. I stretch out on the picnic blanket, the soft grass underneath cushioning us all as we lounge together in our little group. Lucian sits beside me, his arm draped protectively across my shoulders, our four-month-old son, Liam, cradled against his broad chest.
Lucian looks so comfortable with him, so at ease, as if he’s been a father his whole life instead of just four months. He tilts his head down to press a kiss to Liam’s soft, dark curls, murmuring something to him in that low, soothing Italian that melts me every time I hear it.
“Lucian, your mushy dad side is showing,” Lance states from the other side of the blanket, where he’s half-reclined with his wife Quinn tucked against him.
Their baby girl, Everly, snoozes peacefully in Quinn’s arms, her tiny mouth occasionally twitching in a dream.
Lucian smirks, not even looking up. “Just because you prefer to hide your mushy dad side doesn’t mean I have to.”
Lance grins but doesn’t argue, probably because it’s true. I’ve caught him sneaking all kinds of adoring glances at Everly when he thinks no one is watching. He’s wrapped around that baby girl’s little finger, though he’d never admit it outright. It’s nice to see the brooding behemoth of a man look so happy. And while he’s no less intimidating, fatherhood has softened his gruff demeanor considerably.
Beside Quinn, Natasha and Killian talk in hushed tones, their foreheads pressed together as he plays with her wedding ring. They look as if they’re lost in their own little world and are as cute as ever, their bond just as strong as it was when Natasha first found the courage to tell me they were in love. I’m so grateful my sister found a man as good as Killian. It’s funny to think back and remember how he and I absolutely could not agree about anything when we first formed our alliance. Now, I think it was more my protective older sister coming out in me than any real reason to doubt Killian’s motives.
It’s impossible not to see how happy everyone is today, and for once, there’s no shadow of the past hanging over us. Even Lucian has become an accepted member of the family, and the peace between our respective mafia empires is something New York has never seen before.
It’s nice. And with the sun shining down on us, I can’t help but feel like that’s Papa smiling to see me and Natasha so happy and surrounded by family. I only wish he and my mother could be here with us.
Everly fusses a little, and Lance pulls a soft, mint-green pacifier from his bag for her, his movements efficient but tender. Killian chuckles as he observes the moment, and Natasha flashes me a warm grin as we all silently observe the “mushy dad” side coming out in Lance.
It melts my heart to watch him and Quinn be so happy. I don’t know what I would have done without Killian’s sister over my nine months of pregnancy. We’ve gotten so much closer for it—all of us have—and I’m grateful.
I can feel Lucian’s gaze on my face, and when I glance up to meet his eyes, his grin tells me he’s thinking the same thing. He always knows how to make me feel like the center of his world, even when there’s so much else going on. I offer him a soft smile, and he winks back at me.
Giddiness rushes through me, making my stomach tighten, and a giggle rushes past my lips before I can stop it.
Lucian raises an eyebrow. “What?”
“Nothing,” I say, but I can’t hide my smile. “You’re just…adorable.”
He leans closer, his lips brushing my ear as he whispers, “Careful,tesoro. If you keep looking at me like that, Liam might not stay an only child for long.”
His words send a pleasant shiver down my spine. “Funny you should mention that,” I whisper. “I think it’s time we tell them.”
Lucian pulls back, his hazel eyes dancing. “Oh?”
“Well…” I glance around the group, suddenly aware of the weight of this moment. Natasha’s sharp gray gaze is already on me, as if she’s sensed what I’m about to say. Lance and Quinn are occupied with Everly, but next to my sister, Killian is watching us closely.
I clear my throat, capturing Quinn and Lance’s attention as well. “Actually, we’ve been meaning to share some news.”
I feel a sudden rush of nerves. But Lucian’s hand slides into mine, lacing our fingers together in a silent reassurance. He already knows, of course, and his calm steadiness anchors me.
“We’re expecting again,” I say, the words coming out in a rush.
For a beat, there’s silence, then the group erupts.
Quinn squeals and lunges across the blanket to hug me, careful not to jostle Everly as she does it. Lance offers a hearty “Congrats!” while Killian grins, shaking his head in disbelief.
“Already?” Killian teases. “You two don’t waste any time, do you?”
Lucian doesn’t miss a beat. “Why would we? I’m on a mission to fill our house with little Tatianas and Lucians. We’ve got no time to spare.”
Everyone laughs, and even I can’t help but roll my eyes fondly. “Don’t scare them, Lucian. They’ll start to think we’re building an army of little minions over here.”
“I’m not scared,” Natasha says, her voice light but deliberate. She exchanges a look with Killian, a silent conversation passing between them before she turns back to us with a knowing smile. “Actually, we’ve got some news of our own.”
My eyes widen. “No way.”
Killian nods, his grin equal parts pride and excitement. “Natasha’s expecting.”
