After four hours in the air, they finally landed in Germany, in a picturesque city called Dresden.
Liam was with Kian, who held him in his arms and was giving him an important lesson.
"Well, you see, Li Li… if someone bullies you, you kick them—make sure they never do that again," Kian said with a grin.
Liam nodded, listening intently to every word.
"Darling, the school just sent a message. The kids are resuming next week," Zayan said, showing Nora the notification on his phone.
"Noooo!" the kids groaned in unison.
"Quiet," Neal said firmly, and the children immediately fell silent.
Nora laughed. "Alright, I'll get school supplies ready."
The twins were going to Grade 4, and little Liam was moving into the nursery section.
Azara turned to Levi, smiling proudly. "My boy is going to 12th grade… after that, high school."
Levi smiled shyly.
"He's growing so fast," Rose said, kissing his cheek.
Lora hugged Levi tightly. "Don't leave me, Levi," she said in the cutest baby voice, her eyes welling with tears.
Levi kissed her cheek and nodded.
Rose had plans to take Levi to a specialist. He hadn't been born mute—Azara had lied to her years ago. When Levi was only three, his father had forced him to drink boiling hot water. He was hospitalized for months. Azara had killed her husband afterward and burned his body. Rose had been quietly researching ways to help Levi speak again, willing to do anything to make her wife happy.
Cars pulled up to take them to a beachside house. On the way, Liam fell asleep, and soon the other kids did too.
Suddenly, Darba screamed in pain—she was going into labor.
Neal quickly handed their son, Silas, to Rex.
"She's in labor! Take her to the hospital," Aaila said urgently as Neal carried Darba to the nearest clinic.
"Mommy?" Silas asked, worried.
"It's okay, your mom is fine, alright, buddy?" Rex reassured him. Silas nodded.
At the house, Nora settled onto the couch, wincing as her baby kicked hard. "Please, baby, can you stop kicking? Mama's in a lot of pain," she whispered.
Zayan rubbed her tummy gently. "Sorry, my love," he said, giving her a soft kiss.
Neal returned a while later, relief in his voice. "Baby boy," he greeted, pulling Nora into a deep hug.
"I was so, so scared," he admitted, his eyes wet.
"Mommy?" Silas called, looking for Darba.
"Let's get changed and go see your mom, okay?" Neal told him. Silas nodded, and together they showered, packed the baby bag, and left for the hospital.
Meanwhile, Zayan's phone rang over and over. He ignored it, until the last call came from his mother, Catalina.
"It's your mother, baby—pick it up," Nora said, rubbing his shoulders.
He sighed and answered. "Hey, Mom."
"Zayan! Are you okay, my child?" Catalina's voice was filled with concern. "I know he's beside you, and this call is on speaker, right?"
"You're always so smart," she sighed.
Before Zayan could reply, Lysander appeared, holding Liam.
"Dad! Li Li broke his arm—he fell on the stairs!" Lysander said, setting Liam down.
"Grandma!" Liam cried, tears streaming.
"Oh, my poor grandbaby!" Catalina said from the phone.
"Let me see, Li Li," Zayan said in his fatherly tone, gently touching Liam's left arm.
"Ouch!" Liam yelped, crying harder. Nora hugged him close.
"Nora?" Catalina asked.
"Hi, Mom," Nora greeted softly.
"Is the arm badly broken?" Catalina asked.
Before anyone could answer, Zayan's father's voice came through the background. Zayan's expression hardened.
"Hey, asshole—touch my mother, and it's hell for you. Got it? Bye." He ended the call abruptly.
Nora looked at him. "Z…" she whispered.
"I'm fine, baby," he said, bandaging Liam's arm before kissing her baby bump. "I need to finish work now. I'll be back soon."
He walked down the hall to his office, fell to his knees, holding back tears, then punched the floor. After a few minutes, he composed himself and returned to the bedroom—only to find Nora, the twins, and Liam all snuggled together, their hands gently resting on her belly. He took a picture and smiled, then lay down behind Lysander, kissing each of them on the cheek before falling asleep.
Later, Zayan and the Black Scar Lords left for the company. Neal brought Darba home with her newborn.
"He's so cute and tiny," Nora said. "Let me wash my hands first."
She returned, holding the baby carefully. "He looks like Neal a little… but not his big nose."
"Hey, I'm very good-looking," Neal said.
"Yeah—good-looking enough to stop peeing on the bed at age ten," Shaw teased.
The men burst out laughing.
"Hahaha—shut up!" Neal protested.
"Diaper boy," Kiernan added.
"Mom even gave him diapers so he wouldn't wet the bed again," Rex laughed, and everyone, even Darba, joined in.
"Pee-pee Daddy," Silas said innocently, hiding behind his mother. The laughter roared again.
Four days later, Zayan sealed a major deal. He and the Black Scar Lords each earned £800 million, while Alex received £60 million.
Meanwhile, Nora and the wives went shopping.
"Honestly, I love buying baby things," Nathaira said.
"So true—it's part of motherhood," Nora agreed.
Darba giggled, pushing her newborn in a mini stroller. Lisa and Nora bought jewelry, Rose shopped for Levi and Lora, and Kenna bought Eryx four new Rolexes. After paying for their items, they headed back.
At the beach, Zayan was with the twins and Liam, building sandcastles alongside the other men and their kids. The boys were shirtless, making their wives blush. Rose spotted Azara and Lora.
"Mommy, look—it's Mama!" Lora called, waving.
Liam, meanwhile, was half-buried in wet sand with Winter and Hael, proudly working on their own masterpiece.
Later, everyone returned inside for baths. Nora gently pressed along Liam's arm.
"Tell me when it hurts, okay, love?" she said.
"Ouch, Mama!" Liam said when she pressed a sore spot.
"Sorry, my baby," she soothed.
"Nora, love—we're going home tonight," Zayan said, bending to kiss her.
"Alright, darling," she agreed.
They packed up, went to the airport, and boarded their plane.
Next stop—home.