Chapter One Hundred and Ninety-Seven
Alicia's POV
Morning light filtered through the curtains. Warm. Soft. Peaceful.
I woke up slowly, awareness returning in pieces. The comfortable bed. The unfamiliar room. The weight of an arm across my waist.
Malachi.
He was still here. Still real. Still sleeping beside me with his face pressed into my hair.
I stayed very still, not wanting to wake him. Just wanting this moment. This quiet, perfect moment before the world intruded.
His breathing was deep and even. Completely relaxed in a way I'd never seen him. Even in sleep, Malachi always seemed coiled. Ready. Alert.
But not now. Now he looked peaceful. Almost young.
I put my hand on my stomach. Still flat. But the baby was there. Growing. Real.
Our baby.
The thought didn't terrify me anymore. Somewhere between yesterday and this morning, the fear had shifted into something else. Not gone. Just different.
Malachi stirred. His arm tightened around me. "You're awake."
