I woke up with a jolt, a sharp pain shooting through my lower abdomen. My heart raced as I tried to breathe through it, but the pain was unlike anything I had felt before. I shifted in bed, and that’s when I felt it—something wet between my legs. Panic surged through me as I reached down and my hand came away sticky, covered in blood. “No…” I whispered, my voice trembling. This couldn’t be happening. Not now. I threw the covers off, and the sight of the blood made my stomach lurch. I screamed, unable to control the terror rising in me. My mind raced as my eyes darted around the room, finally landing on the calendar. The date. I froze. It was the same day I lost my baby in the other future. The same date that had haunted me for months. I felt my breath catch in my throat, and tears blurred my vision as fear gripped me like a vice. “Anton!” I screamed again, louder this time, desperate for him to come. The pain intensified, and I was clutching my stomach, praying that this wasn’t
The world around me was upside down. The remnants of the crash echoed in my ears, and my body ached from the impact. Panic surged through me as I glanced to my right—Alina lay unconscious, her head tilted at an unnatural angle against the broken glass. Blood smeared her face, and my heart dropped.“Alina!” I shouted, but my voice came out hoarse and weak. I struggled against my seatbelt, fumbling with the clasp, desperate to reach her. The car was upside down, and every instinct screamed at me to get her out. Finally, the belt gave way, and I fell onto the ceiling of the car, my body protesting as I rolled over to her.“Please, wake up,” I pleaded, shaking her gently. “Alina, please!”She didn’t respond. Panic clawed at my throat, threatening to choke me. I grabbed her shoulders, shaking her again, but her eyes remained closed. “Alina!” I couldn’t let fear take over. I had to focus. I pulled myself out of the car, wincing as pain shot through my body. My arm felt heavy, and a sharp a
The hours stretched into what felt like an eternity. I sat on the cold floor of the hospital hallway, my heart racing as I watched the chaos unfold around me. Natalie was on the verge of breaking down, her sobs echoing through corridor. Zack was doing his best to console her, murmuring soft reassurances while trying to keep his own anxiety at bay. I glanced at the ER doors, willing them to open. Each second felt like a lifetime as my mind raced with thoughts of Alina. What was happening inside? I couldn’t shake the memories of the accident, the vision of her lifeless body. I squeezed my eyes shut, forcing myself to breathe, to stay grounded. “Anton,” Zack said softly, kneeling beside me, his eyes heavy with concern. “She’s strong. You have to believe she’ll pull through.” “I can’t lose her, Zack. I can’t,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “I know,” he replied, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “Just hold on. We’re all here for her.”Hours passed in silence. I couldn’t eat,
As the car rolled toward the villa, a wave of nostalgia washed over me. It felt surreal to finally be going home, to be leaving the hospital behind with my son cradled safely in my arms. Linton. Just saying his name brought a warmth to my heart that made me feel whole. Anton glanced at me, his eyes filled with that same awe I felt. “Can you believe we’re finally doing this?” he asked, his voice a gentle caress in the soft air of the car. I smiled, glancing down at our little boy, who was sleeping soundly, his tiny hands curled into little fists. “It feels like a dream,” I whispered, fighting back tears. “A beautiful, overwhelming dream.” “More like a miracle,” Anton replied, his expression softening as he looked back at the road. “I can’t wait to show him our home.” As we pulled up to the villa, I could see the lights flickering warmly from the windows, and my heart swelled with emotion. The house was filled with memories, laughter, and now, the promise of new beginnings. As we
I lay on the couch, staring at the ceiling, unable to shake the exhaustion from my bones. It had been a long night, and I could hear Linton’s cries echoing through the house like an alarm clock that just wouldn’t stop.I glanced over at Alina, who was propped up against the pillows, her eyes heavy with fatigue. She had been amazing, caring for our little boy with such love and devotion, but tonight was one of those nights where the exhaustion seemed to seep into her very soul.“Hey, Alina,” I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper. “You okay?”She turned to me, her expression a mix of exhaustion and frustration. “I’m so tired, Anton. He won’t stop crying, and I just... I can’t think straight.” I felt a pang of sympathy as I watched her. “Why don’t you let me take care of him for a bit? You should try to get some sleep.”She shook her head, her brow furrowed. “No, I can’t. He needs me.”“Alina,” I insisted gently, moving to sit beside her. “You need to take care of yourself too.
I was in the nursery, gently rocking Linton in my arms when I heard the doorbell ring. A familiar voice followed almost immediately. “Open up! It’s me, your favorite godmother!” I smiled, knowing exactly who it was. “Come in, Natalie!” I called, adjusting Linton’s blanket. Within seconds, the door swung open, and Natalie burst in, arms full of shopping bags. “Oh my God, Alina! I went a little overboard, but how could I not? Have you seen all the baby clothes these days? So cute!” She dropped the bags on the floor with a dramatic huff, rushing over to us. “Give me my godson! I haven’t seen him in forever!” “Natalie, you were here just last week,” I laughed, gently handing Linton over to her.“Exactly! Forever ago.” She cradled him, her eyes lighting up as she cooed softly. “Hey, little man, did you miss your godmother?”Linton blinked up at her, his tiny fist waving in the air. Natalie gasped. “Did you see that? He waved at me! That was definitely a wave!”I chuckled. “That’s a str
I woke up to the sound of Linton’s soft cries. It was unusual for him to cry this early in the morning, and my heart skipped a beat. I turned to Anton, who was already half-awake, his brow furrowed with concern. “I’ll check on him,” I whispered, getting out of bed. Anton followed me as we made our way to the nursery. Linton was lying in his crib, his little face was all red, and I immediately knew something was wrong. “Anton, feel his forehead,” I said, my voice shaking slightly. Anton placed his hand gently on Linton’s head, his eyes widening. “He’s burning up. Alina, he has a fever.”Panic surged through me as I quickly picked Linton up, holding him close. He let out a weak whimper, his small body trembling. “Aww my poor baby. Mommy is here . Everything will be fine. We need to get him to the doctor.”“Right now,” Anton agreed, already grabbing his phone to make a call. “I’ll schedule an emergency appointment.”As Anton arranged the visit, I tried to soothe Linton, rocking him b
Linton’s laughter rang out in the backyard, mixing with Anton’s playful shouts as they kicked the football back and forth. I could hear them from the kitchen, and a smile crept onto my face as I placed a fresh batch of cookies onto the cooling rack. The sweet, warm scent of chocolate filled the air, and I took a moment to savor it, feeling grateful for the simple joy . Once the cookies were cooling, I wiped my hands on my apron and wandered to the back door, where I leaned against the frame and watched the two most important people in my life. Anton was pretending to struggle as Linton charged at him, trying to steal the ball. "You're too slow, Dad!" Linton giggled, his little legs pumping as he raced around. "Oh, is that so? I’m just getting warmed up!" Anton teased, playfully lunging forward and letting Linton dart past him. I couldn’t help but laugh at the scene. Linton’s determination to outplay his dad was both adorable and hilarious. "Why don't you join us, Alina?" A
The villa was a picture-perfect scene of Christmas cheer. Twinkling lights adorned the exterior, casting a warm glow over the snow-dusted garden, while a large Christmas tree stood proudly in the living room, its ornaments glinting in the soft light. The scent of fresh pine and cinnamon filled the air, mingling with the laughter and chatter of friends and family. Alina held her one-month-old daughter close, cradling the tiny bundle in her arms as guests arrived. She smiled, watching as Linton and Gabriel practically hovered around her, peering down at the baby with wide-eyed wonder. “Is she really my sister?Sometimes it feels like a dream mommy.” Linton asked for the tenth time, his voice filled with awe. Alina chuckled softly. “Yes, sweetheart. She’s really your sister. You got exactly what you asked Santa for last Christmas.” Linton beamed, reaching out a cautious hand to touch his sister’s tiny fingers. “Hi, baby sister,” he whispered. “ I’ll always protect you.” Gabriel,
The doorbell rang, and Alina smiled, knowing exactly who it was. A few moments later, Linton’s excited voice echoed through the hall as he raced toward the door to greet his best friend, Gabriel. “Gabriel!” Linton yelled, throwing the door open and giving his friend a high-five. Gabriel grinned as he stepped inside, holding a little gift bag in his hand. “Hey, Linton! Hi, Aunt Alina!” Gabriel greeted, his eyes wide with excitement as he approached her. “How’s the baby?” Alina chuckled, patting her belly. “Getting bigger every day, Gabriel. And she’s quite active today.” Linton immediately perched himself beside his mom, his eyes sparkling with interest. “Can I talk to her again, Mommy?” he asked with a shy smile. “Of course, sweetheart.” She smoothed down her shirt and leaned back so the boys could get closer. Gabriel scooted onto the couch beside Alina, looking both curious and excited. He handed her the little gift bag, inside of which was a small stuffed bunny with floppy ea
Alina rested on the couch, a blanket draped over her legs and her hand resting on her rounded belly. At seven months pregnant, her baby bump was unmistakable, and it was a joy to see how much it had become a part of the family’s daily life. From Anton’s frequent hand resting over her belly to Linton’s fascination with “talking” to his baby sibling, the whole house seemed to radiate warmth and anticipation. Linton, bursting with excitement, had clambered up onto the couch beside her, his small hands gingerly placed over her belly as if holding a fragile treasure. He leaned in close, his expression serious as he started whispering to the baby. “Hi, baby sis,” Linton said, his voice soft but filled with excitement. “It’s me, Linton, your big brother! I can’t wait to meet you, and I’m gonna teach you everything I know. We’re gonna play so many games, and I’ll teach you how to draw dinosaurs and superheroes. And… and I’ll share my toys, too!” Alina chuckled, resting her hand over his.
Alina gently ruffled Linton’s hair, nudging him awake. Anton was already up, sipping his coffee in the kitchen, as she whispered to their son, "Wake up, Linton. I have a surprise for you today." Linton’s eyes fluttered open, and he rubbed them with his small fists, his face brightening instantly at the word “surprise.” “A surprise? Where are we going, Mommy?” Alina smiled. “You’ll see soon enough. Go get dressed, and we’ll be on our way.” As Linton scrambled out of bed and rushed to get ready, Alina made her way to the kitchen. She kissed Anton on the cheek, feeling a surge of excitement about the secret she was about to share. She had been working on a special painting for weeks, pouring her heart into every brushstroke, and today, she would finally reveal it. “Where are we off to this morning?” Anton asked, raising an eyebrow with curiosity as he sipped his coffee. “Just a little outing to the gallery. I have something special to show you both,” Alina replied, her eyes twin
Alina and Anton pulled into the driveway of David and Isabella’s home. Their hearts were light, filled with the warmth of their recent trip to Paris and the excitement of reuniting with their little one. As they stepped out of the car, Linton’s energy was palpable; he bounced on his feet, his eyes sparkling with anticipation as he saw his parents getting down the car. "Mom-dad I missed you so much." Linton hugged their legs. Anton picked him up in his arms. “Are we ready to see Gabriel?” Anton asked, ruffling Linton’s hair. “Yes! I want to show him the new toys you brought!” Linton exclaimed, practically dragging his parents toward the front door. Alina chuckled at her son’s enthusiasm. “Hold on, buddy. Let’s not rush too much. We’ve got to make sure we greet everyone first.” They rang the doorbell, and moments later, David swung the door open, a wide grin lighting up his face. “Welcome back, you guys! We missed you! Literally ever since Linton got to know you are coming he h
Steam filled the bathroom, the warm mist clinging to the glass walls of the shower as water falling softly. Alina leaned against the cool tiles, her body relaxing under the hot spray. She felt a gentle touch at her waist, and without opening her eyes, she knew it was Anton. "Mind if I join you?" his deep voice rumbled softly in her ear, a smile evident in his tone. Alina smiled and turned slightly, glancing over her shoulder. "Of course sweetheart. You never need permission." Anton chuckled, stepping closer, his hands slowly trailing up her arms, pulling her back against his chest. The heat of his body mixed with the warmth of the water, enveloping her in comfort and safety. "I thought I’d be polite today so I was asking for permission," he teased, his lips brushing against the side of her neck, sending a shiver down her spine. Alina leaned her head back, resting it against his shoulder. "You? Polite?" she teased back, the warmth of his breath tickling her skin. "Hey, I c
David's house was alive with the sounds of giggles and shuffling papers as Linton and Gabriel sat side by side at the large wooden dining table, their books spread out before them. “Got it!” Gabriel declared triumphantly, holding up his math workbook. Linton, still scribbling away on his own page, glanced at him with a smirk. “You think you’re fast, huh? Let me check that.” He leaned over, playfully scrutinizing Gabriel’s work. “Hmm... looks right, but I bet I can finish mine faster.” “Oh, it’s on!” Gabriel grinned, and they both dove back into their homework with renewed energy. Isabella stood at the kitchen counter, watching the boys with a fond smile. She was whipping up pancake batter for their afternoon snack, the aroma of freshly made batter already filling the air. The kitchen was warm and inviting. She glanced over her shoulder at David, who was reading on the couch, occasionally glancing up to chuckle at the boys' competitive banter. “I love how determined they are,
The next day, Paris greeted us with a warm breeze and a clear blue sky.Anton was already up, sipping on his coffee by the window as he admired the view. I walked over to him, still in my pajamas, and leaned against his arm, taking in the sight of the Eiffel Tower standing tall in the distance. “We’re really doing this, huh?” I asked, smiling as I looked up at him. Anton grinned, setting his cup down on the table. “Absolutely. Are you ready for a day of cliches and tourist photos?” I laughed, nodding. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.” An hour later, we were standing at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, and despite the crowds around us, I couldn’t help but feel the excitement bubbling up inside. Anton had his camera ready, capturing moments before we even started climbing. Every few steps, he’d stop, turn to me with that teasing smile, and snap a picture—of me laughing, of us together, of the view. "Okay, one more,” Anton said, holding up his phone, getting us both into the fram
Anton’s hand brushed softly against the small of my back as we entered the suite, his touch lingering just a little longer than necessary. I looked around, taking in the breathtaking view from the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the city of Paris. The Eiffel Tower sparkled in the distance. Everything about this place felt perfect—luxurious and romantic. The door clicked shut behind us, and the sound echoed in the quiet, intimate space. I placed my purse on the plush chair near the window and took a deep breath, letting the atmosphere of the city sink in. “We’re really here,” I said softly, more to myself than to Anton. Anton chuckled behind me, his arms sliding around my waist. “We are. No distractions. No meetings. Just you, me, and Paris.” I leaned back against him, closing my eyes and enjoying the warmth of his embrace. For the first time in what felt like forever, we had no obligations pulling us in different directions. Just us. I turned in his arms, looking up a