The music has ended, and the couples of The Alliance are all lounged around King’s living room, and I feel like I could carry the whole world if I wanted to.
Hans is standing across the room from me, talking with Nero. And I can’t help but be drawn to the silver band on his left hand. He looks so good marked as mine.
I look down at the matching band on my hand.
Hans wanted to get me diamonds, but I wanted us to match. And we both know that Hans will always give me what I want.
God, I love him so much.
I’m about to cross to him, needing to be closer, ready to give him his final wedding gift, when Val addresses the room.
“So I know this is a little bit of short notice, but everyone is invited—”
“Expected,” Dom interrupts.
Val shakes her head. “We would like you all to come to Chicago for Christmas. It’s Danielle’s first Christmas.” She strokes her hand over her daughter’s head. “And we want her to spend it surrounded by her loved ones.”
I watch Hans, my heart swelling even more with my love for him.
For half of his life, he’s had no one to share holidays with. And now we have this.
“We’ll be there,” Hans answers first.
When his eyes move to meet mine, I can see it all in his face. The affection. The peace.
My fingers reach up to touch the spot on my arm, next to my tracker, where the other implant used to be.
And I can’t wait any longer.
I have to tell him.
Tears fill my eyes as I mouth, “I’m pregnant.”
Hans opens his mouth, then slams it closed.
His throat works, and his eyes lower to my wedding-dress-covered stomach.
Then his eyes move back up to meet mine, and he mouths, “That’s one.”
