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“Doctor! Doctor, he’s awake!” I shout, my voice shaking with excitement as I glance back at Cassius. My heart races with anticipation, and I can’t help the grin that spreads across my face.
Footsteps echo down the hall, and a moment later, Dr. Langford rushes into the room, his eyes widening in surprise when he sees Cassius blinking up at him. “Cassius, you’re awake,” he says, disbelief lacing his tone.
“Seems so,” Cassius murmurs, his voice barely audible but filled with unmistakable warmth.
“Amazing,” Dr. Langford breathes, quickly moving to examine Cassius, checking his vitals and making notes on his chart. The tension in the room is palpable, but I can’t bring myself to care about anything other than Cassius’s miraculous awakening.
I reach out and gently place my hand on Cassius’s cheek, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath my fingertips. His blue eyes lock onto mine, and for a brief moment, it feels like we’re the only two people in the world.
“Is this really happening?” I whisper, my voice cracking under the weight of my emotions. “Are you really here?”
“Annalise,” he says, his voice weak but filled with conviction, “I’m here. And I’m not going anywhere.”
My heart swells at his words, and tears prick at the corners of my eyes. It’s overwhelming—the relief, the joy, the sheer disbelief that Cassius has come back to us when I’d almost given up hope.
“Thank God,” I breathe, the words slipping past my lips before I even realize I’ve spoken them. But they feel right, because if there’s one thing I’m certain of, it’s that Cassius’s return is nothing short of a miracle.
With each passing second, the reality of Cassius’s awakening sinks in deeper, and I find myself overcome with gratitude. Grateful for the love we share, for the family we’ve built together, and for the future that now stretches out before us—uncertain but filled with possibility.
“Annalise,” Cassius says softly, his eyes never leaving mine. “Thank you.”
I nod, unable to speak past the lump in my throat, and squeeze his hand in response. There are no words to express the depth of what I’m feeling, but I know he understands. In this moment, as our gazes lock and our hearts beat in tandem, I know that we’re finally whole again.
And I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.
44
CASSIUS
Ican’t believe I’m working after being shot just a few weeks ago. The pain in my side throbs, reminding me of the close call. But I try to focus on the task at hand, blowing up balloons for the twins’ birthday party.
“Stop whining, Cassius,” Isabella scolds me with a playful smirk. “The doctor said you’re fine—remember?”
“Easy for you to say,” I grumble, tying off another balloon and tossing it onto the growing pile. “You weren’t the one who took a bullet.”
“True,” she concedes, flicking a strand of her dark hair behind her ear. “But you’re stronger than that, right? Besides, the party won’t set itself up.”
“Fine, fine.” I roll my eyes but can’t help feeling a swell of gratitude for Isabella’s relentless teasing. It keeps my mind off the ever-present danger lurking in the shadows. And for today, I want to focus on creating a perfect day for the twins.
“See?” Isabella beams as I blow up another balloon, her blue eyes twinkling with mischief. “That’s more like it. Now, keep going—we’ve got a lot more to do.”
As I continue to inflate balloons, the ache in my side fades into the background, replaced by thoughts of family and love. Today is about them, and I’ll push through any discomfort to make sure it’s a day they’ll never forget.
A waft of sweet vanilla fills the air as Annalise steps into the room, cradling the meticulously decorated cake in her slender arms. The sight of her brings a smile to my face, and I can’t help but admire the way she’s managed to put everything together with such grace and precision. From the perfectly arranged tables to the color-coordinated decorations, every detail has been accounted for—all for our beloved twins.
“Look at this masterpiece,” Annalise beams, setting the cake down on the table with a triumphant flourish. “I swear, if I didn’t know any better, I’d think it was professionally done.”
“Wow,” I breathe, chuckling at her enthusiasm. “You’ve really outdone yourself, Lily. It looks amazing.”
“Thank you,” she replies, her emerald eyes sparkling with pride. “I just want everything to be perfect for them.”
As we share a warm smile, I catch a glimpse of Gina, one half of the twin duo, skipping over to me with excitement dancing in her eyes. She gazes up at me with an innocent curiosity that tugs at my heartstrings.
“Uncle Cassius,” she pipes up, her voice as sweet as the cake Annalise just brought in. “Can I play with a balloon?”
“Of course, princess,” I reply, bending down to pick up one of the inflated balloons from the pile. As I hand it to her, I can’t resist teasing her a little. “But only if you promise not to let it go and send it flying across the room.”
Gina giggles, clutching the balloon tightly in her small hands. “I promise!”
