The night had passed peacefully.
Zayan and Shaw carried their wives gently back to their rooms, exhaustion wrapping around them like a soft blanket. Once in bed, the couples cuddled close, their arms around each other and sleep taking them swiftly.
Morning came with a burst of joy.
Liam was the first to stir. He ran into Zayan and Nora's room, his little feet pattering across the marble floor.
"Morning Mama! Morning Dada!" he shouted gleefully as he jumped onto the bed beside Lysander.
"Good morning, Mama! Good morning, Dad!" Lysander echoed, his voice a soft yawn.
"Good morning, my lovely boys," Nora replied, her voice husky from sleep. She yawned and turned gently—her baby bump noticeably bigger this morning.
Zayan leaned over and kissed Liam on the cheek, then kissed Lysander. "My strong boys," he murmured with a smile.
Moments later, Seraphina wandered in, rubbing her eyes, her curls messy from sleep.
"Morning Papa. Morning Mama," she said sweetly as she climbed onto the bed. She placed a soft kiss on Nora's belly.
"Morning little baby in Mama's tummy," she whispered.
Zayan chuckled, his large hand coming to rest protectively on Nora's stomach. The warmth in the room was like sunlight.
After a while, Nora bathed the kids while Zayan took charge of Liam's outfit.
"Li-Li looks so handsome," Zayan said, gently tucking Liam's tie inside his vest and brushing his hair all the way back.
Breakfast was filled with chatter and tiny giggles.
Soon after, the kids all got into their kid-friendly family vans. Liam waved eagerly from the window.
"BYE BYE MAMA AND DADA!!"
Nora waved back, a few tears pooling in her eyes.
Zayan placed a hand around her shoulders. "He'll be fine. I promise," he said, pulling her into a reassuring hug.
Later, Nora wore a black shirt tucked into a purple skirt, and they drove to Arion Hospital.
At the entrance, they spotted a familiar face.
"Well, isn't this interesting!" Zayan said with a booming laugh.
"Hi Xandira!" Nora said, hugging her friend warmly.
"Hey, Nora! And hello baby number four," Xandira grinned, patting Nora's bump. Arion, nearby, flushed and quickly covered his face with his palm.
They all chuckled at him.
They waited for Maia, who arrived moments later—visibly shaken.
Nora stood instantly. "What's wrong? What happened?" she asked, stepping closer.
Maia didn't respond.
Nora's eyes darkened. "I said, what happened?" Her tone was no longer soft—it was deep, protective.
Tears spilled from Maia's eyes. "There's a man. He won't leave me alone. He keeps following me… trying to force himself on me. The other day he was playing with Winter, and when I pulled her away, he pointed a gun at her head."
Nora gasped. "What?!"
"I didn't want to stress Kiernan… he's been overwhelmed. But that man is outside the hospital right now, waiting for me to finish work," Maia whispered.
Arion walked toward the window, scanning outside. "He's in a blue suit, isn't he?"
Maia nodded.
Zayan pulled out his phone and dialed.
"Kiernan. Get your ass to Arion's office now. Someone's been following your wife, and she's shaken up."
Kiernan's voice was sharp. "On my way." He slammed his books shut and stormed out of his class.
"Class dismissed," he growled to his stunned students as he rushed to his car.
Meanwhile, Maia performed Nora's ultrasound. "You have a healthy baby. In the next six months, you'll be holding your little one. In three weeks, we'll find out the gender."
"Baby girl," Zayan declared confidently. "According to Seraphina, the future seer."
Xandira scoffed, flipping her orange hair. "Nope. Baby boy. I'm betting £60 million on it."
Arion looked at her, stunned. "Do you even have £60 million in your account?"
"Well… I own an oil company, a bakery, and I work at Zayan's firm. So… yes. I'm a billionaire."
Arion was speechless. Maia finally laughed, cheering up a bit.
Just then, Kiernan burst into the room.
"Maia!" he rushed over, inspecting her for injuries. "Which man touched you?!"
Zayan pointed toward the hospital entrance. "Come see."
Kiernan's jaw clenched. Without hesitation, he stormed out, pulled his gun—and fired.
The man collapsed.
"No one touches my Maia. Only me." Kiernan spat, furious.
People screamed and rushed to the man's body.
"Hey, it's that rapist!" one of the police officers shouted, recognizing him.
Kiernan turned to Maia and pulled her into a crushing hug.
"Next time, carry a gun. And call me. I don't care how busy I am—you're my priority."
"I'm sorry," Maia whispered.
After everything settled, they headed home.
Nora went straight to her study, replying to work emails and managing her staff remotely. Zayan was on a Zoom call with representatives from Denmark, Netherlands, Germany, and Norway, discussing a confidential deal.
They confirmed their arrival in London the next day and finalized the terms.
"£6 billion each," Zayan said with finality. "Don't be late."
By evening, the house echoed again with the sound of happy children.
The twins ran into Nora's arms, giggling and clinging to her.
Liam followed last, carrying something behind his back.
"MAMA!!!" he cried, racing to her.
"Li-Li!" she said, scooping him into her arms.
He giggled under her kisses, then took out a blue rose and placed it gently behind her ear.
Nora smiled.
Meanwhile, the twins ran into Zayan's study, kissed his cheeks, and scampered away to their room.
Liam walked in, hands behind his back again.
"Hi DADA!" he said, leaping into Zayan's lap. "Here. Flowers for you and Mama."
Zayan was in the middle of giving orders but paused, smiling at his son.
"Thank you, Li-Li."
Later that night, the kids all splashed in the jumbo tub, their laughter echoing through the mansion. Nora dried them off and dressed them in matching pajamas. She began to sing a soft lullaby as she rocked them.
Before long, she too drifted into sleep beside them.
Zayan came into the room, hearing her angelic voice, and smiled.
He lay beside them, pulling his wife close.
Peace. Family. Love.
In that moment, nothing else mattered.