Page 123 of Beyond Enemy Vows
"Keira, wait."
She turns back, eyebrows raised.
"Come here for a second."
She approaches the bed again, and I feel my throat tighten.
"Thanks for everything," I begin, my voice already wobbling. "For always being there for me. For staying with me this past week to get everything set up. Just, all you do. You're my rock and I love you."
Tears start welling up. "Sorry," I say with a watery laugh. "The hormones."
Keira laughs too, but I can see her eyes getting glassy. "Stop. You. The baby. It's too much. You'll make me cry." She wipes quickly at her eyes and sniffles. "I love you too."
"Jesus, Keira," Declan says from the doorway, rolling his eyes. "You know she's going to be sentimental the whole flight home now."
"Shut up!" Keira shoots back, but there's no heat in it.
Declan turns to Niko, a half-smile on his face. "See ya, guys."
"Hey," I say, an idea forming through my emotional haze. "Maybe he can give you some pointers for when you become a dad."
Declan laughs. "Hell no. That's not in my deck of cards."
Niko smiles. "Never say never, man."
"Yeah, who knows what the future holds," I add.
Declan shrugs. "Hopefully lots of good times and beautiful women."
Everyone laughs, and Keira rolls her eyes. "Shut up, Dec. Let's go." She turns back to me. "FaceTime me later!"
"I will."
I nod, and they leave, the door closing behind them. Suddenly Niko and I are alone with our son again. The room feels quieter, more intimate now.
I look down at our little Vasilis, who sleeps on completely unbothered by the parade of visitors or the emotional chaos swirling around him. His breathing is so soft I have to strain to hear it, his chest rising and falling in the tiniest movements.
"He's right here, and I still can't believe it," I say.
"I know," Niko says, his eyes lifting to meet mine. "You've made me the luckiest man in the world. First as my wife, and now as the mother of my child."
He leans in and kisses me softly. When he pulls back, I hold his gaze.
"I'm yours forever."
Niko's hand comes up to cradle my face, his thumb brushing away the fresh tears on my cheek.
"And still with you, forever isn't long enough."
