Chapter 68: Chapter 68

- They're so cute...

Smiling with pride, Logan looked down at the tiny face of the precious little baby that slept in his arms, as well as Eleanor, who, lifted in her father's arms in front of the armchair where her uncle was sitting, seemed absolutely fascinated by her cousins. Placing an extremely gentle kiss on top of his son's chestnut-covered head, Logan turned his face to look at his wife, lying in the hospital bed still looking exhausted but also beautiful and beaming with joy as she lovingly held their other son against her chest. the breast, watching it feed hungrily.

- Tristan really inherited the family's appetite, didn't he? - Gwyneth, who was sitting on the other side of Missy, stroked her grandson's forehead with the tips of her fingers, trying in vain to organize the small ruffled tuft of black hair that was close to his hazel eyes and bleary, but that still seemed to be linger on your mother from time to time. Which Logan understood perfectly.

He also had a lot of trouble taking his eyes off her.

Gently snuggling little Jonathan to his chest, who was still sleeping peacefully, Logan leaned in close to his wife and his mouth was already slightly open when Missy interrupted him.

- I'm fine, Logan. – she laughed, staring at him with those pretty chocolate-colored eyes that always made his heart race – You heard the doctors: the worst is over. We're all fine now. Missy looked between the twins, her face alight with pure motherly love.

-I know… - Logan sighed, running his finger over little Jonathan's cheek while he was still looking at her with relief – I just can't help it…

How could he, when the twins had arrived two weeks earlier than expected, taking them completely by surprise when Missy's water suddenly broke in the middle of a family dinner? It had been a long fourteen hours of labor in which Logan had remained at Missy's side, holding her hand as he watched her go through more and more pain, while the position of the twins inside her only increased the tension and danger of the situation. With each additional minute they spent in that cold, busy room, with uncertainty growing even among the doctors, all he could think about was what he would do if something bad happened to any of the babies…or to Missy. He wouldn't know what to do if something happened to them. He just wouldn't survive if he lost them...

A soft, almost non-existent touch on his cheek brought him back to reality. Looking down, Logan saw Jonathan's small hand resting against his face, while the small green eyes, in perfect contrast to his little boy's pale skin and dark hair, stared at him with an intensity that was strangely focused, but that , however, it only lasted a short second, before his son moved his head towards his mother, who admired them with deep affection... Almost as if Jonathan wanted to remind him that those worries that consumed him no longer mattered. They were all fine. There was no more danger.

And his three reasons for existing were perfectly safe, within arm's reach.

Smiling at his oldest son, Logan kissed Jonathan's forehead again, while Missy's smile became even more affectionate.

- Is Jonathan already hungry again? his wife asked, making sure that Tristan was snug in one of her arms, before reaching out with the other to pat her other son's head.

- Do not worry, dear. It's only been half an hour since he last nursed. – her mother soothed her, now more motherly than ever, seeing them with the twins – With less than a day to live, babies tend to sleep more than they do anything else. Except for that little prince… - she laughed towards Tristan, who continued with his avid little mouth attached to Missy – Who seems to have spent all these eight months just waiting to be able to have lunch.

- You should rest, love. - Logan got up from the armchair with a sleeping Jonathan in his lap, only to be able to sit on the edge of the bed next to Missy.

- But I slept. – Missy defended herself, even if not very firmly.

- You slept for forty minutes, until the nurse opened the door to the next room and you woke up thinking that they had already brought the boys from the nursery. He raised an eyebrow at her, staring at the pale purple shadows under his eyes.

- And how do you know that so well, if not because you slept even less than me? – She teased him, her chocolate eyes shining tenderly – You've been doing nothing but spoiling me and admiring the boys through the nursery window. What do you have to say about your hours of sleep?

- I'm fine. – Logan smiled, leaning down to kiss her cheek – I needed to make sure they were fine and doing all the exams… And you, Mrs. Knight, you're going to have to put up with being spoiled for a while yet. Remember what the doctors said: your rest period will be a little longer because of complications in childbirth. he warned her, earning a small disappointed sigh in response.

- But not that long... - Missy lamented, making a pout that he certainly would have kissed passionately, if it weren't for the small precise packages in both arms - And I'm not sleepy. We still have visitors to receive... - she reminded him, smiling at Eleanor and Derek, who were still talking to their father about how small and cute the twins were - And, if the results of my exams are encouraging, maybe the three of us we can be discharged later tonight. Missy smiled excitedly.

- I know... There's nothing I want more than to take you and the boys to our house. – Logan admitted dreamily – But don't think that means you'll be making any kind of effort in the next two months, my love. he warned her softly and firmly, making that adorable pout return to her face.

- On that I can not disagree, dear. – Gwyneth commented, calling their attention – Not just because I know my son and I know how serious he is, but also because, as I'm going to spend most of these first months with you to help you with my grandchildren... I will not allow you to break doctor's orders, young lady. Gwyneth narrowed her eyes dangerously, with such motherly authority that Logan had to bite his cheek to keep from laughing, knowing Missy would never be able to fight that kind of care. But, as the smile that spread across his wife's face made clear, she didn't even want to oppose Gwyneth's protection. And there was nothing that made him happier than seeing her finally receive, after so many years of being deprived of maternal love, the dedication and affection of a real mother.

He could even give in to the fact that Victoria really had improved her behavior a lot... Not that that was very difficult, considering the terribly rude and disapproving way in which she always treated Missy. Or, at least, Logan thought that keeping that woman's mouth shut shouldn't take that much effort, but apparently Victoria thought so, since every time she and Missy talked over those four-and-a-half months later, of the wedding, she seemed proud of herself for the simple fact that she hadn't said anything offensive to her daughter.

In short, in the end, Victoria was still... Well, Victoria. Even after receiving the news of the birth of her grandchildren, she still preferred to remain in Paris, participating in the parties she had previously scheduled, instead of visiting her youngest daughter immediately. And Logan wouldn't even be surprised if weeks passed before his mother-in-law finally showed up.

However, as much as he disliked that behavior more than anything else, what really mattered was that Missy was truly happy. He could tell just by the way her expression lit up each time Victoria made a comment that was far from kind or loving, but which also didn't belittle or belittle her, as it had in the past. So even if he thought his mother-in-law should try infinitely harder to start being worthy of a daughter like Missy, if that little change in Victoria was enough to make his wife happy, then he was happy too.

Who was he trying to fool? The woman he loved most in the world was beside him, nursing one of his children while he rocked the other. She had made him a father. One husband. And the happiest man in the world.

Not even if Victoria announced that she was moving in with them would he be able to feel anything but completely and intensely grateful and happy.

- Auntie has arrived! – a low, excited voice sang as soon as the door to the hospital room opened, revealing Megan and Devon, each carrying a huge bag with the emblem of Missy's favorite baby supply store – Oh, they are even more beautiful than that! closer than in the nursery... - Megan whispered a compliment, as she quickly approached the two, with her hands on her chest as she admired her nephews, fascinated.

- Would you like to hold them? Missy asked, pulling up the strap of her nightgown when Tristan finally looked satisfied, and gently moved the baby towards Megan. "This is Tristan."

- Well, what kind of aunt would I be if I didn't know which is which? – Megan joked – After all, it's not that hard to know. They may be the perfect combination of the two of you, but each one has done it very differently. – Sitting down on the bed next to Missy and close to Gwyneth, Megan swallowed hard before finally taking her nephew in her arms, smiling excitedly as he stirred a little, seeming to be looking for the best position to snuggle in her arms and take a nap – Oh, look at this little prince... He may have Logan's hair and nose, but his mouth and eye shape are exactly the same to yours.

- Eye color is too. Logan smiled proudly, bringing Megan's attention to Jonathan.

-And this cutie really looks like daddy… – Megan craned her neck to get a better look at the baby, while she sniffed, excited – He has the same brown hair and eyebrows…

-But he has his father's green eyes. – it was Missy's turn to complete, totally radiant – And the nose. And the shape of the lips and...

- And the angry face. – Ellie completed, still at the side, and apparently very attentive to the conversation – When dad and I were looking at him in the nursery, a nurse went there to fix his clothes and Jonathan didn't like it, so he made an evil face just like what Uncle Logan does when Daddy pisses him off. – She furrowed her eyebrows to the maximum, seeming to want to imitate the expression, which made everyone laugh.

- Well, nobody can be totally perfect, after all. Megan shrugged, choking shortly after, when Tristan suddenly started whimpering, apparently startled by the laughter. And upon hearing his brother's cry, Jonathan immediately became uncomfortable as well, starting to move restlessly in Logan's arms, even with his attempts to cradle him again.

-Oh, no... - Missy lamented, distressed, quickly extending each of her arms towards her husband and sister, while she asked - Give them to me here.

Without any hesitation, Megan did as she was told, carefully placing one of the babies back in the nest of Missy's arms. Logan, however, after snuggling Jonathan next to his brother, around one of Missy's arms, also put his arms around her, hugging the three of them in order to provide extra support to his wife, while she held and soothed their two children. And it was with a sigh filled with wonder, love and pride, that Logan watched her calmly cradle the crying little boys, who didn't take long to calm down at the sound of their mother's voice, quickly returning to relax and doze off in her lap.

- Impressive. Megan praised, her mouth in a perfect round shape in surprise.

- His voice soothes them. Just like she used to soothe them when they got fussy in her belly. - Logan recalled, smiling at Missy, while resting his cheek against her hair, so he could watch the sleeping babies.

- You used to act the same way when you were a baby. – Gwyneth wiped away a tear, smiling emotionally at Logan – They just know that it's mom who is talking to them.

- Yes, I understand them. It's impossible not to get calmer when someone you love so much is saying such sweet things. -he leaned down to whisper in Missy's ear, pleased to see her satiny skin crawl-It's just one more thing they inherited from me: they can't resist the sound of her voice. The only difference is that there are so many other things about you that I can't resist, like, for example... Everything. - he purred close to her ear, teasing, feeling the soft and bristly skin start to heat up, as she blushed.

- It's not as if they weren't already crazy about you too... - Missy turned her face a little to look at him, stamping an equally shy and contented smile - Tristan only had twenty minutes to live, but hearing the sound of his The voice made him give his first smile.

- That wasn't exactly a smile... - Logan made an amusing letter - In fact, I could swear it was the same expression he made before he soiled his diaper for the first time.

"Logan…" She sounded like she was trying to scold him, but the bubbly laugh that escaped her throat stopped her, making her hazel eyes gleam as she lifted her face to brush the tip of her nose with his, with one of her eyes. The biggest, most beautiful smiles he had ever seen her give lit up her pretty face.

Both gave one last enchanted glance in the direction of the sleeping twins, before Logan took her lips between his, in a sweet, exultant and intensely loving kiss, in which they were still lost, immersed in the sublime feeling of having each other and to those two tiny miracles in her arms, when a sudden flash startled them. Startled, Logan looked up to find Megan with her cell phone in her hand, apparently photographing them.

- First photo for the baby albums! – she celebrated happily, still with the device in her hands.

- You're not going to put this on your Youtube channel, are you? - Logan narrowed his eyes suspiciously, making Missy laugh, while Megan rolled her eyes.

- Of course not! I may have mentioned in my videos how excited I was about Missy's pregnancy, but I would never expose any of you like that. Come on, Logan, you know me better than that. - Megan mocked , while opening the small bag that was on his shoulder, to be able to keep the cell phone.

- I know... I'm sorry, Megan. – Logan sighed, however, when he saw something unmistakable inside Megan's bag, completely visible due to the angle it was at, the question escaped his mouth before he could even realize it – Did you bring the tarot?

- Oh, that? – Megan stopped immediately, staring at the small wooden box – I already told you. I take it most places, just out of habit. - She shrugged, again starting to close her bag, seeming not to have given much meaning to her question.

Pensive, Logan looked down at his children, smiling when he realized that they had woken up, moving their little hands slowly until they managed to touch their mother, as if they wanted to be sure that she was there. And for a moment, Logan just stood there, staring at them: three years ago, a scenario like that would have terrified him. Or, even worse, enraged. For 30 long years, he hadn't wanted any of it, and if that same Logan who had stood in front of Megan, years ago, in her parents' backyard as she talked about her future, could see it now... He would probably despise it. that beautiful family that was in his arms, claiming that he had been nothing more than a puppet of the curse, someone who hadn't fought enough to keep his free will from being stolen. That now his life would come down to the desires and whims of a woman who had been chosen at random to guide his life – the same life that used to be based on independence and rationality.

And Logan felt an uncontrollable urge to laugh in that man's face, even though he knew it was a version of himself.

Because that man was pathetic. Empty. And blind. Unable to understand that the family legacy, the magic, the ancestry... were nothing more than a shell. A surrealistic wrapper that diverted attention from what was really important and fantastic about it all: love. For years, he had willingly associated the two: bequest and love, believing that feeling would always be accompanied by servitude, coercion and oppression. That's why, all his life, he feared the moment when love would be forced on him, uniting his life with someone who would turn him into his personal lackey, forcing him to abandon all his dreams in order to fulfill the dreams. her, as unfortunately happened to her grandfather.

How could he be so stupid? How could he close his eyes to all the true love that had always been around him, seeing his parents and brothers being happy, to focus only on the fatality that was the feeling that destroyed his grandfather? He would always resent what the Legacy had done to such a good man, keeping him from knowing a good woman's love just because he was bound to a viper... But now Logan could see that situation clearly. And now he understood that none of that was the fault of love. Not now that he knew what that feeling truly was.

And there was no doubt within him that his grandfather would have been heartbroken if he could have seen how the tragedy he had experienced in life had traumatized his grandson to the point where he began to repudiate not only the family heritage, but also love itself, making him determined to give up a feeling he didn't even truly know. Something he had never experienced within himself, but which he thought he knew what it was. And for an entire year, that damned determination had almost made him give up Missy forever.

If not for her charm, her intelligence, her personality, her smile, her very existence...

Maybe he had never given in to that pain in his chest that had been killing him inside for 12 long months: the wise pain that had always warned him that he should be by her side, even if his head denied it with all his might. Maybe he never realized that this wasn't about letting a woman make him her doormat: it was about Missy. It was about loving her, protecting her, respecting her, being her companion, building a future with her... And about being loved, protected, respected and spending the rest of her life with her best friend, in return. . Maybe he never realized how lucky he was to have found the woman he wanted to call his love, something he had promised himself he would never do.

Maybe he never realized that soul mates really existed. And Missy was his.

Maybe he was still locked in her apartment, suffering from being away from her, trying to convince himself that love was the worst thing that could have happened to him and that he had to fight that feeling building in his chest.

Perhaps his children never had the chance to exist.

Perhaps he and Missy would have lived the rest of their lives without knowing what that sublime feeling was and that they found each other.

Which was why he smiled at Megan before she could close the bag completely.

- Would you like to draw the tarot for the boys? – Logan asked, leaving everyone in the room shocked – I know it would mean a lot to you.

- You... Do you want me to read the tarot to your children? - Megan spent a second completely perplexed, blinking a few times before gasping - Who are you and what did you do with Logan Knight?

- I'm the man who didn't listen to you once and because of that he made many mistakes. – He laughed softly, feeling Missy's gaze on her face, also amazed – Or maybe, that's the point: I'm not that man anymore. And I had to learn many things, not all of them pleasant, in order to leave him behind. So I would be honored if they could start participating in our family traditions right now. After all, they are half Sutton and half Knight. – he smiled at Missy, who was now looking at him with affection and pride – Magic is in their blood anyway. And, as a tiny woman once told me, and whom I never gave the credit he deserves, told me: the cards only advise about the future, they don't dictate it. Only our own choices can do that. So, please… – he waved towards the empty armchair beside the bed – Do the honors. I would like some advice to be able to help them in the future, regardless of what fate has in store for us.

For a moment after his speech, Missy and Megan just exchanged a long look, laden with secret meanings he knew were reserved only for the Sutton sisters. However, soon their sister-in-law smiled not just satisfied, but also with a twinge of superiority and even pride, as she sat on the edge of the bed next to them, opening the deck on the sheet while both twins opened their still bleary eyes. , running them across the parents' faces as if they were looking for something.

- Very well. I guess these little ones haven't done too much shit in just 18 hours of life, so I'm going to pull those three letters out just about the future. – Megan reflected, seeming to talk more to himself than to anyone else in the room – They are different people, so I will try to think about their relationships as brothers and lifelong partners. Of course, no decisions made yet, so it's sure to be a pretty fuzzy future. But that doesn't mean we won't have anything to analyze. – she affirmed, confident, while depositing three letters on the mattress, pulling out the first one with solemnity.

- Oh, the sun. – A wide smile spread across her face when the figure of a big bright sun was revealed – That's wonderful. It means warmth, brightness and fun. They will be children who will shine and be warm to everyone, especially each other. It could indicate unity, not just between them, but also with the family as a whole, as they will grow up among us. – Looking extremely happy with that letter, Megan turned over the second one, again with a huge smile when she saw a dark night with gigantic stars everywhere, almost as if they were small suns – The Star! It means hopes for the future. They will have the ability to do great things when they grow up, provided they are guided in the right way... And we all know they will be. – she smiled at him and Missy, who diverted their eyes between her and the twins, bursting with happiness when hearing all that about their children – And, lastly… – Megan lifted the third card, revealing the image of a woman who appeared to be an angel, holding two chalices, one in each hand, while pouring the water from one into the other - Temperance! These kids really were born lucky. This card represents peace, tranquility and patience. It looks like, at least for the foreseeable future, you won't have a problem with these two and neither will they with each other. – Megan bent down enough to kiss each baby on the forehead – Congratulations, my little princes. You will have quite a future ahead of you.

- I'm so happy. – Missy sniffed, touched – Grandma Helen would be jumping with happiness... And so would Dad.

- Yes... - Megan quickly wiped away a tear, which made Devon, who until then had been standing quietly by the side, admiring his wife doing something he loved so much, stepped forward, stroking his shoulder warmly – They undoubtedly would be. – Her sister-in-law finally swallowed, seeming to try to hide how much she was equally moved.

- Yes, they have a bright future ahead of them. And they can become anything. But, regardless of what choices they make, the important thing is that we will always be here, by their side... - He exchanged a loving look with Missy, his heart warmed by seeing the deep joy that his sentence had brought her. , knowing full well how much that meant for her – No matter what happens, Mom and Dad will always love and support you, my children. – he promised the babies, staring into those innocent little green and brown eyes.

- Yes... - Missy cried, raising her lips to his to give him an affectionate kiss - No matter what happens, we'll always be together.

- Forever and ever, my love. - Logan agreed, knowing that was a promise he would never break, even after his last breath in this world.

- I love you. - She whispered to him, her sweet and choked voice filled with so much love that Logan could only seal his lips in another intense and consuming kiss, while the twins raised their little hands to touch their cheeks, as if they knew perfectly well what those three little words meant. meant and wanted to participate in that moment. And, with his children's hands touching the tears of joy that streamed down his cheeks and with his heart overflowing with all the love he felt for his three reasons for existing, Logan just rested his cheek against hers, knowing there was only only thing he could answer.

- And I love you, my love.