Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

LUNA

18 months later…

A s the morning sun streamed through the curtains and warmed my face, I opened my eyes to find myself nestled between Rafe and Marcel, our limbs tangled together in a beautiful mess of sheets and skin. The remnants of doubt that had plagued me before seemed distant and insignificant now, as if they were just fleeting shadows in the bright glow of this moment.

I couldn't help but think back to the night when the Eliasson brothers first brought me into their world - a world shrouded in mystery and danger. But instead of fear, I now felt only gratitude and love for these three amazing men who had become such an integral part of my life. They each possessed a dangerous allure that once intimidated me, but now only filled me with a sense of belonging and understanding.

Taking in the lush surroundings of our room - the verdant forest outside our window, the soft moss underfoot, and the endless blue sky above us - I couldn't imagine a more idyllic setting. It was a world where worries melted away like cotton candy clouds, leaving only peace and contentment in their wake.

But it hadn't always been like this. It took time for me to accept the truth about my father's legacy - a man I never knew who met a tragic end before I was born. His involvement in a dangerous world led my mother to flee with me, unknowingly causing years of heartache and turmoil for both of us.

But despite all of that, I hold no regrets for the life she gave me. And I owe it all to Aunt Ruby, who welcomed me with open arms when I was reunited with her after years in the foster care system. Through her unwavering love and guidance, I discovered who I truly was meant to be.

And as I lay here surrounded by love and warmth, basking in the embrace of my chosen family, I can't help but believe that fate played a role in bringing me back to the Eliasson brothers. But perhaps that is just a fairy tale, and the truth is far more complex and beautiful than I could ever imagine.

Reaching for my weathered tarot deck, I smiled as Aunt Ruby’s picture fluttered out onto my bed. She was always with me, with every turn of the card. The familiar weight of the deck grounds me in the present moment. I absently shuffled them, the soft rustle a soothing melody. Lost in the familiarity of it all, I laid the cards out before me, each flip revealing another pathway for my soul to explore.

The first card was the Empress, with her abundant curves and verdant surroundings. She exuded a sense of nurturing warmth that enveloped me in its embrace. I’d never understood nurturing until Ruby. It was something that hadn’t come naturally, but I felt I was getting better at it every day. The Empress confirmed that I had everything inside of me that I needed to be successful.

The next card was the Lovers. It often came to me, entwined in a dance of passion and intimacy. I’d never realized the love or profound connection we could share together as one.

Last, the Wheel of Fortune, its cyclical motion a reminder of the ever changing tides of fate. We were never promised tomorrow, one must take the opportunity today before it was too late.

I gathered the cards, grateful for their message, and tucked Aunt Ruby’s picture back in their confines where she could greet me once again on another day when her wisdom was needed.

I glanced at the end table and opened the drawer to see drug store box that had been there for eight days now. It was likely every one of my men had seen it and yet they were waiting on me to come to terms with what we already knew.

I picked it up and went into the bathroom, telling myself that it didn’t matter if there was one line or two. Life would go on, regardless of this little test, but I had to know the truth. We’d been disappointed once earlier on with a false positive. That’s why I was so reluctant to take the new test.

Once I’d followed the instructions, I left the test on the counter, not looking at the results window. I went about my regular activities, allowing the day to unfold with normalcy. I found myself immersed in a whirlwind of activity and introspection. Each passing moment seemed to carry with it a sense of anticipation, a tingling energy that whispered of untold adventures and challenges waiting just beyond the horizon.

With each passing hour, as the sun arced its way across the sky, I delved deeper into any and every activity that came across my mind. My closet was organized, the kitchen cabinets rearranged, much to the housekeeper’s irritation. I’d walked outside, skipped rocks in the pond, and even lost myself in the pages of my favorite romance author.

It was when the day was fading into dusk, the sun casting long shadows across the landscape, I stood from my perch in the garden. Marking the place of the fresh chapter, I closed my book and took a step toward what I knew was waiting for me inside on the bathroom counter.

With a heart full of hope and a spirit ablaze with determination, I went forward, ready to embrace whatever the future held in store, knowing that with the Eliasson brothers by my side, there was nothing we couldn't conquer, no dream too grand, no challenge too daunting.

I’d just entered our bedroom when I saw them, lurking in the shadows, their gazes intent on me. It was like that first night, all those days ago.

“I can explain,” I said at once. However, my breathless tone didn’t fool anyone, least of all Rafe, Marcel and Jude.

The moved in, surrounding me as they often did, like a predator with its prey.

“How long are you going to stew about this?” Marcel asked in a dark tone.

“I’m not stewing,” I protested, but the words died on my lips as Jude shook his head.

“It’s never good to lie, little moon,” he rasped, his hand caressing the side of my face before he dropped it to his side.

The emotion that had been welling up inside of me, burst like a damn. Tears sprang out of nowhere and I would have sworn my guys were horrified.

“Fuck, Jude,” Rafe snarled. “What did you do?”

Jude’s eyes went big as saucers. “Me? It was your idea to confront her like this. Marcel and I were content to let her tell us on her own.”

Marcel nodded. “That’s true. This was Rafe’s idea.”

They were like little boys trying to rat each other out, I couldn’t help it, a giggle escaped through the tears.

Rafe eyed me cautiously. “Does that mean you aren’t pissed at us? Shit, Luna, we just wanted you to know that you don’t have to go through things alone. I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

“Don’t you want the baby?” Jude asked gruffly, his hands coming to sit at my hips.

“Baby?” I managed to utter through my tears. “Are we really having a baby?”

Marcel smiled, a real smile, something I didn’t see very often. Leaning in, he rested his forehead against mine. “You’re going to be a mama, Luna.”

And that’s when the waterworks really began.

Rafe gathered me in his arms, his touch a comforting anchor amidst the whirlwind of emotions that swept through me. "Luna, we may not have planned for this, but we're all in this together. You're not alone," he murmured softly, his voice filled with a mix of tenderness and concern.

Marcel stepped closer, his eyes reflecting a depth of emotion that words could not convey. "We love you, Luna. And we'll do whatever it takes to support you and our baby," he said earnestly, his hand reaching out to brush away a stray tear that lingered on my cheek.

Jude's gaze softened as he spoke, his gruff exterior giving way to a gentler tone. "We're a family, Luna. This changes things, but it doesn't change how we feel about you. You're important to us," he said, his words laced with a sincerity that tugged at my heart.

I looked up at them, feeling the weight of their words settling deep within me. "I never imagined this... but I know we'll figure it out together," I said, my voice wavering slightly with a mix of emotions - gratitude, uncertainty, and a growing sense of joy.

Rafe met my gaze with unwavering determination. "We will figure it out, Luna. As a family," he affirmed, his commitment shining through his eyes.

As the evening unfolded around us, we sat together in the quiet sanctuary of our bedroom, words flowing between us as we discussed the future that lay ahead. Plans were made, concerns were shared, and laughter mingled with tears as we navigated the unexpected twist that life had thrown our way.

In the midst of it all, I found solace in the knowledge that no matter what challenges awaited us, we would face them together - bound by love, loyalty, and an unbreakable bond that had been forged in the fires of adversity.

And as we settled into the night, cocooned in each other's embrace, I felt a sense of peace wash over me - knowing that with my unconventional family by my side, there was nothing we couldn't overcome. For in their arms, I found not just love but also strength and unwavering support that would carry us through whatever lay ahead on this unpredictable journey called life.