Chapter 542
Evaline:
I woke slowly, drifting back to consciousness as warmth wrapped around me from all sides.
For a moment, I didn’t move. I simply lay there, letting the quiet sink in. The room was dim, bathed in a soft amber glow coming from the bedside lamp – River must have switched it on at some point. Beyond the windows, the sky had deepened into shades of indigo and charcoal, the sun long gone. Tiny pinpricks of light.. stars… had begun to appear, shy and scattered.
It was already evening.
I shifted slightly, and immediately felt it… River stirring behind me. As if he had been awake already, waiting.
I tilted my head up, and our eyes met.
He was already looking at me.
A smile curved his lips, slow and warm, the kind that always made my chest feel too full. I smiled back, unable to help myself, and instinctively snuggled closer to him. His arm tightened around my waist, pulling me flush against his chest, his warmth grounding me instantly.
“Hey,” he murmured softly.
“Hey,” I replied, my voice still thick with sleep.
He reached past me toward the bedside table, careful not to jostle us, and picked up his phone. The screen lit up briefly before he locked it again.
“Seven minutes past seven,” he said quietly. “We slept longer than I thought p>
I hummed in response, content, my cheek pressed against his chest. It felt like we had been wrapped in time itself, suspended in a pocket of peace.
Then I felt it.
A tiny movement behind me.
My senses sharpened immediately. I turned carefully, just in time to see Lioren stirring, his little body shifting. His lashes fluttered, his tiny nose scrunching as he woke, and then… slowly… his eyes opened.
He moved his limbs, stretching cutely.
“Hey, my love,” I whispered, leaning closer. “Mama’s here p>
At the sound of my voice, his head turned toward me, and the moment his gaze locked onto my face, a bright, gummy smile spread across his lips. It was instant. Effortless. Like the world had snapped into place just because I was there.
My chest ached.
“There you are,” I cooed, brushing my fingers gently along his cheek.
He responded with a happy little sound, his arms waving excitedly, his legs kicking against the sheets. River chuckled softly behind me, his chest vibrating against my back.
“Someone’s in a good mood,” he murmured.
Lioren let out another delighted babble, clearly agreeing.
I shifted carefully, propping myself up on one elbow so I could face him properly. River adjusted his hold instinctively, supporting both of us without needing to be asked.
“Did you have a good nap?” I asked Lioren, knowing full well he couldn’t answer but asking anyway.
He blinked at me, fascinated, then reached out with one tiny hand and grabbed a handful of my hair.
“Ow-hey,” I laughed softly, though I didn’t try to pull away.
River leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to Lioren’s temple. “Easy there, Little Alpha,” he teased. “Be kind to your mother p>
Lioren responded by squealing in delight.
We spent the next few minutes like that – laughing quietly, talking to him, watching his expressions change with every sound and movement. River made ridiculous faces that had Lioren giggling, and I kissed his chubby cheeks until he protested with dramatic little noises.
It was perfect.
A soft knock on the door broke the moment.
The door opened, and Kieran stepped inside.
The moment his eyes landed on the bed, on Lioren awake and smiling between us, his face softened completely.
“Well,” he said warmly, closing the door behind him, “looks like I missed the best part of the nap p>
I smiled at him. “You are just in time p>
He crossed the room in a few long strides and joined us on the bed. He leaned in to press a gentle kiss to my lips. It was brief but full of affection, familiar and grounding. Then he bent to brush his lips against Lioren’s forehead.
“Hey there, little man,” he murmured. “Did you wake up handsome p>
Lioren stared at him for a second, then grinned again, clearly pleased by the attention.
“He’s been charming us for the last five minutes,” River said fondly.
Kieran straightened and smiled at me. “How was your day p>
“Long,” I admitted. “But I survived p>
“That’s my girl,” he said softly, squeezing my shoulder.
River shifted behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist in a back hug, his chin resting lightly on my shoulder. The gesture was so natural, so comfortable, that it made my heart flutter all over again.
“Oscar called earlier,” Kieran added casually. “He’s still at the Warrior Academy. Training ran late p>
I nodded. “He would be here for dinner though, right p>
“Maybe in next half an hour or so,” Kieran confirmed.
As if on cue, Lioren let out a loud babble, waving his arms.
River shifted, then carefully lifted Lioren, supporting him under his arms. “Come on, champ,” he murmured. “Let’s show them p>
He gently set Lioren down on the bed, sitting him upright.
For a brief second, I was slightly lost… but then I saw it – Lioren sitting.
On his own.
His little back was straight, his hands resting on the mattress for balance, his expression focused and proud.
“Oh my God,” I breathed. “He’s really doing it p>
River grinned, unmistakably proud. “The two of us have been practicing. Look at him. He no longer needs back support p>
Kieran crouched down to Lioren’s level, eyes wide. “That’s incredible,” he said. “You are growing up too fast p>
Lioren wobbled slightly, then steadied himself, clearly pleased with the attention.
I leaned forward and kissed the top of his head. “You are amazing,” I whispered.
After a few more minutes of admiration… and ensuring Lioren didn’t tip over… we lifted him again, cuddling him between us.
About twenty minutes later, the four of us finally headed downstairs just as Oscar’s car pulled up in the driveway.
Everything was so nice and sweet… but there’s no denying the hole in my heart and the absence of one of us.