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Aster squealed in delight, hugging Coulter. Bourbon kissed the top of Rose's head, while the doctor urged her to keep going.
The air crackled with a magical energy I had never experienced before. It was filled with joy, and a sense of home, of family, of unconditional love. It was untainted by the darkness that came with living in this world, free from all sin, full of innocence and joy.
It reminded me of the first time I met Tatiana - despite her poverty and her parent's cruelty, she still had hope in the world around her. In me. Amid the chaos around me and an ever-looming dread outside our walls, all I wanted was her by my side.
To talk about the wonders of the world, as well as the small and simple things, too. To laugh at silly things and dance in the kitchen to too loud music. To go to bed and wake up in the morning in her arms.
To create a world full of love and innocence with kids of our own. To teach them that the world can actually be good.
And most of all, I wanted for her to be happy again.
To show her that she was the bright, burning star this world needed.
The noise of a baby crying broke me from my thoughts as our little King was born into this world.
Time seemed to still as the doctor placed the precious bundle up onto Rose's chest, and a tidal wave of joy and love rushed over everyone in the room. Rose embraced her new son, tears streaming down her face as she ran her fingers through its dark hair, her eyes filled with reverence and awe.
Bourbon stood beside her, overcome with emotion, love pouring from him like a symphony of music swelling up inside him. His eyes were glassy as he traced his finger softly across the newborn's cheek, a single tear tracking down his own. The baby made a soft sound, and Bourbon's face broke into a wide grin.
With Rose's encouragement, Bourbon tenderly lifted him, wiping at his tears while everyone else laughed at his expense.
And then the clock seemed to tick again, the room filling with noise as Aster ordered everyone to clean their hands. Coulter teased Bourbon about how he'd have to learn how to do things right, now that he was a dad.
Then the nurses clamped off the umbilical cord, showing Bourbon where to cut, while Coulter joked about not about messing up. Both Dante and Torian watched on with awe on their faces, while Rose basked in the moment, radiating with exhaustion and happiness.
As the world moved onward, I was lost to this perfect, perfect moment, just living and breathing in the happiness I felt inside. Nothing compared to the sheer bliss and joy as my own family, a family created through love and friendships, renewed life on this world.
"Knight?"
It took me a moment to realize that Rose was speaking to me. "Do you want to hold the baby?"
My hands trembled as I held them out, then felt the softest sweetest thing in the word as she passed the baby over to me.
I stared down at the precious bundle in my arms, feeling all warm and bubbly inside.
Goddamn, he was so beautiful. His eyes blinking sleepily, fingers folded over his cute nose.
"You must be so proud," I said, already loving the delicate creature in my arms.
This, right here. This was what I wanted, I thought as I passed the beautiful baby back over to Bourbon's outstretched arms. I wanted one of my own, with the love of my life.
Somehow, I knew in that moment that everything was going to be okay. I was going to do whatever it took to get Tatiana back. To prove to her that I was worthy of her love. To show her I would never abandon her again, like I had in Cuba.
We would work things out, like it had worked out for Rose and Bourbon, and Coulter and Aster.
Right here in this room proved that life would find its way, that the world had good in it, and, somehow, Tatiana and I would find it. Together.
"Knight." Through all of the excitement, Romeo's loud voice managed to get my attention.
Gina, the other nurse I dealt with on a regular basis, was hovering in the doorway. He had a firm hand on her shoulder, barring her from entering. She shot me a defiant look. "I need to speak to you."
My stomach sank, my happiness dying in an instant as reality slammed back into me with full force. Something was wrong.
FOURTEEN
Rage followed me like a caged animal throughout the early morning and into the day. Followed by immense dread and hatred with the realization that some-fucking-how, this man had survived that day. And he'd follow me to the ends of the earth, to the end of fucking time, to get his revenge.
For the past few weeks, he'd taunted and tortured me.
