Page 111 of Queen’s Gambit

“It’s not a setup. Everyone just stay calm.”

Vlad stepped outside when we neared the house and lifted his hand in greeting. He wasn’t the type to say much, but it was good to see his serious expression. It meant my girls were inside, and it was all clear.

“This is definitely the right spot,” I said and jumped out before the SUV stopped moving.

“Hold up….” Marcus started to say, but I slammed the door and was off, jogging for the house.

“Where are they,” I asked, unable to keep the excitement out of my voice.

“Follow me,” he said and motioned for me to step inside.

This was not what I expected. It was warm and inviting, with notes of stone and dark hardwoods that gave it a country cottage vibe despite the large size. I followed Vlad up the wooden stairs to a bedroom at the end of the hall. He knocked softly and waited for Ana to reply.

I grabbed his shoulder as he opened the door.

“Thank you for taking such good care of them.”

“It’s my honor,” Vlad said and then stepped aside.

Ana was sitting in a rocking chair, and her face lit up as soon as she saw me. My heart sputtered all over the place. I needed to grab the wall and take a moment to just soak in the sight of the two most gorgeous girls I’d ever seen.

“Come here, your daughter has been trying to stay awake to meet her papa.” Ana held out her hand.

My legs shook as I stripped my jacket and tossed it on an empty chair as I closed the distance. I was incapable of looking away from the little bundle in Ana’s arms. When I reached them, I kissed Ana’s forehead and stared down into the sweet face of my baby girl. Her eyes were barely open, but I could see the same grey that was a prominent color in my family.

“I…I…I can’t get the words out,” I said, my heart filling with so much love and happiness that the moment was consuming me. I was nothing special, and yet Ana and I had created this perfect little person together.

“Help me stand,” Ana said.

I slipped my hands under her arms and lifted her to her feet. She turned to look at me and I was lost, a complete deer-in-the-headlights.

“Sit down, and I’ll hand her to you,” Ana instructed and thank God she was able to think straight because my mind was blank.

Following her directions, I parked myself in the comfortable rocking chair.

“I’m scared I’ll hurt her.”

“Trust me, you’ll be fine. You’re a natural,” she said, giving me a reassuring smile. “Just make sure you hold her like this so you can support her head.” With that, Ana placed Lilya in my arms.

She was so small and fragile. Yet, even at five days old, I could see wisdom and strength in her stare. Lilya looked me in the eyes, and I was done. I’d die for her. If Vadin and Christov thought I was a thorn in their sides before, they hadn’t seen anything yet, because I needed to bring my real wife and my reginette home.

“Hi there, baby girl, I’m your papa. You’re so beautiful, just like your mother,” I whispered and touched her little hands in amazement. She opened her fist and gripped my finger. My body shuddered as tears I didn’t know I needed to shed slid down my cheeks.

Ana placed her hand on my shoulder. “We did it, Eddie. We really did it.”

“No, you did it. I hate that I couldn’t be here for you. It tears me up inside,” I said, looking up at my goddess as I held my little angel.

Ana cupped my face and kissed me, and it was like no time had passed as our lips touched. It was always like this between us.

“No, Eddie, we are a team no matter what.”

“No matter what,” I echoed against her lips.

“I hope you don’t mind, but I called her Lilya Ren Genovese. Ren is after my mother, Renata. Her name means reborn…I felt it was fitting.”

“It’s perfect. I love you, Ana, more than my next breath,” I said, and I loved how she smiled, lighting up the whole room.

“I love you more.”