Page 67 of Untouchable Queen
Another round of congratulations and hugs follows, and it feels like the entire park is glowing with our collective joy. The babies, sensing the excitement, chime in with soft coos and gurgles that only add to the moment.
Lucian squeezes my hand, his thumb rubbing the back of it in slow, steady strokes. He glances down at Liam then back at me, his face full of a love I still can’t quite believe exists. “See? We’re just getting started,” he says softly, though I can hear the deep satisfaction in his voice. “There’s no end to how many little ones we can have.”
I let out a short laugh, leaning into him, my heart full to the brim. Lucian’s smile turns tender, and he presses a kiss to the top of my head. “I’m serious,” he says quietly, then grins. “You have no idea how happy you make me, Tatiana. I want this. I want all of this.”
My heart swells, and I pull back slightly to look up at him. I can feel my cheeks warm with the way he’s looking at me. The affection in his eyes, the soft, unmistakable love—sometimes I wonder how I ever got so lucky.
As the sun begins to dip lower in the sky, casting long shadows on the grass, we decide to call it a night. My heart is so full, it could burst after spending such a beautiful day in Central Park, pretending to be three normal families—and no one’s the wiser. Lucian and I gather our things, and I tuck Liam into the sling against my chest, relishing his sweet baby smell. As Lucian and I walk hand in hand, I feel that same overwhelming gratitude that I’ve felt every day since I realized I was in love with him.
By the time we reach the car, I’m exhausted in the best way. I hand Lucian the baby, and I settle into the passenger’s seat, leaning back against the leather. He puts Liam into his car seat then slips into the driver’s seat beside me, placing a hand on my knee. As he starts the car, I glance over at him and smile, my heart full, my mind already drifting to our next adventure together.
When we get home, the house is quiet except for Liam’s soft breaths as Lucian carries him upstairs to his crib. I follow, changing into one of Lucian’s oversized shirts, the fabric smelling faintly of him, and crawl into bed. A few minutes later, he joins me, his arms wrapping around me from behind.
“How are you feeling,tesoro?” he murmurs, his lips brushing the shell of my ear.
“Happy,” I whisper. “Tired, but happy.”
He presses a kiss to my neck, his hand resting on my stomach. “Me too. More than you’ll ever know.”
I close my eyes, letting his warmth and the steady rhythm of his breathing lull me into peace. Whatever the future holds, I know one thing for certain. I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.
