Two months.
That was all that remained between Elena and the life-altering moment she'd meet their twins. Yet instead of calming down, Zayden's protectiveness had dialed up to maximum intensity.
"Elena, don't lean forward too fast," Zayden muttered for the tenth time as she reached for her water glass on the nightstand.
"I'm pregnant, not made of porcelain," she said with a smile.
"You're carrying two babies. You're officially my most priceless cargo."
He adjusted the pillows behind her with surgeon-like precision. "There. Better?"
"Honestly, you adjusted them five minutes ago."
"Yeah, well, you moved. I saw you turn fifteen degrees to the left. The doctor said twisting isn't ideal."
She just blinked at him. "Did you just measure my rotation?"
"I eyeballed it," he said casually, pressing a gentle hand over her bump. "How are my little CEOs doing in there?"
"Restless. Probably wondering why their father is treating their mother like she's about to snap."
He grinned. "Let them get used to it. I'm not going to stop once they're born either."
Zayden kissed her cheek, then checked the clock again.
That was the third time in twenty minutes.
He kept darting in and out of the room, whispering on phone calls, typing messages and locking his phone the second she looked over.
She narrowed her eyes.
"You're hiding something."
"Nope."
"Liar."
He walked over, gave her bump a kiss, then kissed her lips. "Just rest, okay? Stay in the room for a bit. No wandering."
"Why? What are you hiding, Zay?"
He grinned innocently. "Absolutely nothing."
Elena pouted, but before she could interrogate him further, he was gone again.
---
That Night
Elena stepped cautiously out of the bedroom, her heart pounding.
The lights in the living room were dimmed. A soft golden glow came from fairy lights wrapped across the walls and ceiling. Candles flickered around the space. A few flower petals—her favorite peonies—were scattered across the polished floor. And a soft instrumental melody played in the background.
A banner hung across the window that read:
Happy Birthday, My Love.
She froze.
And then she saw him.
Zayden stood there in a black shirt, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, a soft smile on his lips, holding a small black velvet box in one hand and a lily in the other.
"Surprise," he said gently.
Elena's hands flew to her mouth. "You planned all this?"
He stepped forward and brushed his thumb across her cheek. "Of course I did. You thought I forgot your birthday?"
"I didn't think you forgot. I just thought... you were acting strange all day."
"I was trying to keep the surprise a secret. Which was very difficult since you're impossible to hide things from."
He kissed her forehead, then guided her to the couch covered in soft cushions. "Sit down. You've been on your feet for five minutes, and I'm already worried."
She laughed, her heart full. "Zay, this is... beautiful."
"Only the beginning," he whispered.
He picked up the small velvet box and placed it in her hands.
"Open it."
Elena carefully flipped it open—and gasped.
Inside lay the most breathtaking necklace she had ever seen. Dozens of tiny diamonds strung elegantly into a design that sparkled under the candlelight like stars trapped in silk. It was delicate and powerful all at once—just like her.
"Zayden…" Her voice shook. "This is... this is too expensive."
He knelt in front of her, took her hand, and smiled.
"Not more than your love."
Her eyes welled with tears instantly.
"You are everything, Elena. This necklace? It's just metal and stone. But you—" he touched her bump, "—you're the mother of my children. My best friend. My home. You deserve everything beautiful in the world."
She leaned forward and kissed him slowly, sweetly.
"I love you, Zayden Wolfe."
"I love you more," he whispered back. "And I'll spend every day proving it."
He clipped the necklace around her neck with the gentlest touch, then cupped her face and stared at her like she was his whole universe.
And that night, under golden light and candle glow, Elena realized no matter how much life changed, Zayden would always make her feel like the most loved woman in the world.
---