The hospital room was wrapped in a rare kind of stillness—the kind that only came after the storm.
Elena lay propped up against soft pillows, her body aching, her heartbeat calm for the first time in hours. The labor was over, but her heart still raced every time she replayed it in her mind.
She looked over at the bassinets tucked gently in the corner. They had just taken the babies for a quick checkup. And already, the room felt too empty without them.
Except for one presence.
Zayden.
He sat on the edge of her bed, his hand firmly wrapped around hers like he'd never let go again. His other hand gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, his gaze fixed only on her.
"You should rest," she whispered, voice rasped but soft.
He shook his head. "I will. But not before I make sure you're okay. Really okay."
She smiled faintly. "Zay, I'm fine now. You can breathe."
He didn't look convinced.
"Elena, I…" He exhaled hard. "When they rushed you into the delivery room and the doctor started saying words like 'monitoring heart rate' and 'premature risk'—I swear I stopped breathing."
Her fingers gripped his. "But we made it. They're okay. We're okay."
He leaned forward, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. "I will never let anything happen to you. Or them. Ever."
"I know," she said softly.
His voice dropped, more serious. "From this moment, you're not moving an inch without me. I'm feeding you, carrying you if I have to. You're not lifting a finger, not when there are two little lives depending on you."
Elena let out a small laugh. "Zayden, I gave birth, not broke a leg."
"I don't care," he said firmly. "I already asked the doctor if I could set up a hospital bed at home."
"Zay!"
"I'm serious! I already have a schedule. Morning smoothies. Daily supplements. Naps at 11 and 3. I'll feed you breakfast in bed. Lunch, dinner, everything."
She was laughing now, even through the soreness. "You're insane."
"I'm in love," he corrected, eyes locking onto hers. "And scared. And in awe of you. And… obsessed."
Her smile softened. "Well, I like obsessed Zayden. Especially when he's this sweet."
A gentle knock interrupted the moment. The nurse stepped in, beaming. "They're ready to see their mama."
Zayden stood up instantly, excitement flashing across his face. He helped Elena sit up a little straighter, fussing over her pillows until she smacked his hand away playfully.
"Okay, okay. I'm comfortable," she laughed.
The nurse wheeled in the two bassinets, and Zayden's breath hitched.
Elio and Liora.
Their son and daughter.
Zayden moved with the softest hands, carefully lifting Elio first—tiny, perfect, already with a head full of dark hair—and placing him in Elena's arms. Then he cradled Liora gently, kissing her forehead before sitting beside Elena.
"They're so small," she whispered.
"And strong," Zayden added, his voice shaking. "Like you."
Elena stared down at their children, nestled together against her chest. "Elio and Liora Wolfe," she whispered. "They feel like magic."
Zayden brushed a kiss to her temple. "They are."
For a long moment, they didn't speak. The only sound was the soft breathing of two newborns and the steady heartbeat of two parents forever changed.
"I'm never letting any of you out of my sight," Zayden finally said. "You, Elio, Liora… You're my whole world now."
"You already were mine," Elena whispered.
He wrapped an arm around her and the twins, holding them all like they were the most fragile, precious thing in the universe.
Because to Zayden Wolfe—they were.
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