Page 64 of Tristano

Serena looks down as her body slowly stops shaking.

Ignoring everyone around us, I whisper into her ear, “Are you okay?”

“Hmm?” Serena hums as she blinks slowly.

“Zone out again?” I ask.

“Yeah, sorry.” She shakes her head. “This is just a lot. I want to get them, but at the same time I feel like sometimes it all crashes down on me.”

“It’s okay.” I look around the room before looking back at her. “You’re doing great. No one is going to blame you if you need to step back.”

“No. I need to see this through.” She’s adamant.

“Then I’ll be here for you every step of the way. When it seems heavier than you can handle, lean on me. I can hold it for you until you feel better again.”

“That means a lot.” She leans her head on my shoulder.

“Alright, we will work on a plan. Let’s get these guys,” Bash says.

The others agree. After a few other updates, they all disconnect.

“Let’s go meet my nephew,” I whisper as I escort us from the room while everyone else is still talking.

“Can we just leave?” she asks, looking back at the room.

“Business is done. We can do what we want now. What I want is baby cuddles.”

Walking into the living room, I smile when I see Sofia holding Kieran as he fusses.

“Thank goodness you guys are done. He’s not happy. I had Izzy take the other kids outside for a while, hoping he would calm.”

“Give him here.” I hold open my arms.

She chuckles, handing him to me. “He’s your problem now. I’m going to go check on the others. Are you guys staying for dinner?”

I look to Serena. She gives me a small smile and nods.

“Yes, we will.”

“Great.”

As soon as she leaves the room, I move so Serena can see the baby too.

“Serena, meet the little prince, Kieran.”

“He’s so adorable. You’re good with him.”

“You should see all the things I bought him. He’s going to be spoiled,” I singsong to him.

She giggles. “You bought baby things?”

“Of course. What kind of uncle would I be if I didn’t?” I scoff.

“You aren’t his uncle, I am,” Bash says, making his way into the room with the others behind him.

I roll my eyes. “I might not biologically be related to little man, but last I checked, you weren’t on food runs when Greer was having cravings the way Enzo and I were.”

“Hey, I did my part,” Killian says.

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