28. Chapter Twenty-Eight Tristan
Chapter Twenty-Eight: Tristan
T here was no time to think about it then.
Taking care of a baby was…all-consuming, difficult, and it made it hard to think about other things.
Adriana handed me a tiny bundle wrapped in blue, his little chest rising and falling in that new, fragile rhythm of sleep. I held him with a kind of reverence, feeling the weight of this tiny life in my hands.
"So I don’t know about this DNA test," I broke the silence. I’d onboarded her onto some of the conversation I’d had with Kieran and now I watched her as she settled our daughter into the crib next to her brother. "Kieran's coming tomorrow to help get things sorted."
Adriana paused, laying a protective hand on our daughter's chest, feeling the gentle rise and fall. She met my gaze, her eyes searching mine. "It's not just a piece of paper, Tristan. It's proof. For them." Her chin gestured towards the sleeping infants. "For their future in the Callahan Legacy."
I didn’t say anything, looking down at our son instead. God, he was so beautiful. I’d hardly had time to look at him, really, and now I’d hardly had time to look at him, really, and now I traced my finger along his tiny cheek, marveling at the softness of his skin. His eyes fluttered open for a moment, a piercing blue that mirrored my own. My heart clenched.
Adriana smiled at us. “And don’t you want to know?”
“I mean, I don’t know.” I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I guess I do. But it's just... it's complicated."
Adriana crossed the room, her steps silent on the plush carpet. She placed a hand on my arm, her touch warm and reassuring. "I know it is. But we need to do this, for them."
I looked down at our son, his tiny features peaceful in sleep. "What if it changes everything?"
"It already has," Adriana whispered. "The moment they were born, everything changed."
I nodded, feeling the weight of her words. We stood there in silence, watching our children sleep, the gravity of our decision hanging in the air between us.
"Right, and that’s why we have to do this. Because they need to be legally entitled to the estate’s money, if nothing else," I confirmed, adjusting the little one in my arms. "They deserve to know where they come from. And no one can question their place in the family once it's done."
"Right. So you’re going to do it.”
“I am,” I replied. “I’m just…trying to talk myself into it.”
"That said," she began, her voice steady but cautious, "I know why you want to do this DNA test, and I'm behind you. But we can't ignore the risks. This is poking the bear, inviting scrutiny we might not be ready for."
"Ade," I said, reaching out to gently brush my fingers against her arm, "I won't let anything happen to our family. Proving my Callahan bloodline...you know it’s about securing our twins' future, ensuring they never have to look over their shoulders."
She nodded, the corners of her lips tilting upwards in a faint smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. Trust was hard-won with her, every bit as much as it was for me.
I sat there, frozen in a moment of sheer peace as the twins' steady breaths whispered through the nursery. The clock ticked softly, an accompaniment to their synchronized exhales, a lullaby that eased the tension from my shoulders. Kieran had prepared this room, made it into a nursery. It was so nice to arrive and know that he had been painting walls with clouds and skies, hoping to give them dreams as boundless as the heavens we depicted.
Adriana glanced at me, her eyes reflecting the soft glow of the nightlight, and I could read the storm of emotions swirling within them. With a simple look, she said everything—fear, hope, love—all mingled into one silent conversation. Our hands found each other's in the dimness, fingers entwining like the roots of ancient trees, seeking strength from shared soil.
"Finally asleep," she murmured, her voice barely more than the rustling of leaves in a gentle breeze.
"Like angels," I replied, gazing down at the two tiny faces that held my world together. They were oblivious to the legacy hanging over their heads, the invisible crown they were born to wear.
Adriana squeezed my hand, grounding me back to the here and now—away from the worries of tomorrow, away from the ghosts of my past that lingered in the shadows. We were doing this for them, venturing into uncertain waters so they wouldn't have to swim against the tides of our making one day.
“Thank you,” I said.
She turned to look at me. “For what?”
“For giving me the world’s greatest gifts," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. "For standing by me through all of this."
Adriana's eyes softened, a small smile playing on her lips. "Always," she murmured. “But, uh, we should probably talk birth control. Once we can have sex again.”
I laughed. “Yeah, good point.”
"We should get some rest," Adriana said, her fingers still laced with mine. "Tomorrow's going to be a long day."
We left the world behind, Adriana and I, as we stepped back from the cribs where our twins lay breathing the soft sighs of the innocent. The nursery faded away as we approached our bedroom.
I moved myself to the bed and then pulled her into my arms.
Her head found its spot against my chest, a perfect fit, as if she was carved from the void within me.
"Tristan," she whispered, a hint of vulnerability lacing her voice, "hold me."
"Always," I said, my voice rough with the swell of emotions I struggled to name.
Our bed was an island in the tempest of our lives, the sheets cool against our skin as we sank into their embrace. We clung to each other, silent vows passing through the press of lips on skin. Each kiss held a confession, my mouth speaking words of love onto her neck, promising solace amidst the chaos threatening our shores.
“Do you want to sleep?” Adriana asked.
“No,” I said. “I mean, yes, but only after I make you come.”
“You can’t fuck me yet.”
“I have the rest of my life to fuck you.”
She laughed, throwing her head back, exposing her neck to me.
I trailed kisses down her neck, savoring the taste of her skin. My hands roamed her body, relearning every curve and plane. Adriana sighed, her fingers tangling in my hair as I made my way lower.
"Tristan," she breathed, her voice husky with desire.
I looked up at her, drinking in the sight of her flushed cheeks and parted lips. "Let me take care of you," I murmured against her stomach.
“I just want you to kiss me,” she said. “Things are still…I don’t know. I’m a bit self-conscious right now because I gave birth less than, I don’t know, a week ago.”
I nodded, understanding her hesitation. "Of course," I murmured, moving back up to capture her lips with mine. The kiss was soft, tender, filled with all the love and reverence I felt for this woman who had given me everything. “Can I still make you come?”
She laughed. “How?”
“Well, I have hands, and legs…”
“You can’t make me come with your legs.”
“Is that a challenge, Orsini?”
“Yes,” she said. “I don’t believe you.”
I smirked at Adriana, raising an eyebrow. "Oh, I think you'd be surprised what I can do."
She rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile. "Alright, hotshot. Show me what you've got."
I pulled her close, kissing her deeply as I positioned myself beside her. My hand trailed down her body, caressing her curves. When I reached her thigh, I hooked her leg over mine, pressing my thigh against her center.
Adriana gasped softly, her eyes widening. "Oh..."
"Told you," I murmured, nipping at her earlobe.
I started a slow, rolling motion with my hips, creating friction against her most sensitive spot. This hurt–but it wasn’t too bad.
I could do this for hours if it made her happy. Adriana's breath hitched, her fingers digging into my shoulders.
I captured her lips again, swallowing her quiet moan. My hands roamed her body, tracing familiar paths along her skin.
"Is this okay?" I murmured against her neck.
She nodded, her fingers leaving divots on my skin "Yes," she breathed.
I rocked my leg gently, providing friction where she needed it most. Adriana's breathing quickened, her hips moving in tandem with my motions. I kissed along her jaw, down her neck, savoring the taste of her skin.
She nodded, her fingers digging into my shoulders. "Yes," she breathed.
I rocked my leg gently, providing friction where she needed it most. Adriana's breathing quickened, her hips moving in tandem with my motions. I kissed along her jaw, down her neck, savoring the taste of her skin.
Adriana's breath hitched as I increased the pressure. Her eyes fluttered closed, face flushed with pleasure. I watched in awe as she chased her release, her body moving against mine with increasing urgency.
“You’re so fucking hot,” I said. “I can’t wait to get to fuck you.”
"Tristan," Adriana gasped, her fingers digging into my shoulders. "Don't stop."
I kept up the steady rhythm with my leg, feeling her warmth against my thigh. Her breaths came faster, little whimpers escaping her lips. I kissed along her collarbone, tasting the salt on her skin.
“I can feel how wet you are even though I haven’t even taken your panties off. Would you like me to do that now?”
Adriana nodded, her eyes dark with desire. "Yes, please," she breathed.
I slid my hand down her body, hooking my fingers in the waistband of her underwear. Slowly, I pulled them down her legs, dropping them off the side of the bed. My hand returned to her center, feeling the slick heat there.
"God, you're so wet," I groaned, circling her clit with my thumb.
Adriana moaned, her hips bucking against my hand. I resumed the motion with my thigh, providing pressure as my fingers explored her folds. Her breathing grew ragged as I built her pleasure higher and higher.
Adriana's eyes fluttered closed, her head tipping back. I watched in awe as pleasure washed over her features. Her body tensed, then shuddered as she came apart in my arms. I held her close, whispering words of love and adoration as she rode out the waves of her orgasm.
As her breathing slowed, Adriana opened her eyes, a satisfied smile playing on her lips. "Okay, I stand corrected," she said with a soft laugh. "You definitely can make me come with your leg."
I grinned, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Told you so."
“I don’t think I can make you come with my legs.”
I laughed, my breath hot against her skin. “Actually, you probably could.”
“How?” she asked. “I mean, I just don’t understand how you’d fuck me.”
“I’d fuck your legs,” I said. “I’d need lube, but we can get that.”
Adriana's eyes widened, a mix of curiosity and desire flashing across her face. "Show me," she whispered, her voice husky.
I reached for the nightstand, fumbling for a moment before finding the bottle of lube we kept there. Squeezing some into my palm, I warmed it between my hands before coating my cock.
I positioned myself between Adriana's legs, running my hands along her smooth thighs. With gentle pressure, I guided her to press her legs together, creating a tight channel.
"Like this," I murmured, slowly pushing my slicked cock between her thighs.
Adriana gasped softly as I began to move, sliding in and out of the warm space between her legs. The friction was incredible, her soft skin enveloping me. I groaned, my hips finding a steady rhythm.
"Oh," Adriana breathed, her eyes wide with surprise and arousal. "That's...that's actually really hot."
“And to think you ever doubted me.”
I groaned as I thrust between Adriana's silky thighs, the slick friction sending waves of pleasure through me. Her legs tightened, increasing the pressure in the most delicious way. My hands gripped her hips, steadying her as I moved.
"God, Ade," I panted, "you feel amazing."
Adriana's eyes were dark with desire as she watched me. Her hands roamed over my chest, nails scraping lightly against my skin. The sensation sent shivers down my spine.
"I had no idea this could be so hot," she murmured, her voice husky.
I leaned down to capture her lips in a searing kiss, never breaking my rhythm. Her tongue danced with mine as I picked up the pace, chasing my release. The coil of pleasure in my core wound tighter with each thrust.
"Tristan," Adriana gasped against my mouth. "I want to watch you come."
I groaned, her words sending a jolt of arousal through me. My hips moved faster, thrusting between her slick thighs with increasing urgency. The sight of Adriana beneath me, her eyes dark with desire, pushed me closer to the edge.
"Fuck, Ade," I panted, feeling the familiar tightening in my core. "I'm close."
She didn’t say anything. All she did was kiss me hard. Her hands tangled in my hair, pulling me closer as I thrust between her thighs. The intensity of her kiss, combined with the exquisite friction, pushed me over the edge.
I broke away from her lips with a groan, burying my face in her neck as I came. My hips jerked erratically, spilling hot and wet between her thighs. Adriana held me close, her fingers running soothingly through my hair as I shuddered through my release.
For a moment, we lay there, our breathing ragged and synchronized. I pressed soft kisses to her neck, tasting the salt on her skin. When I finally lifted my head, Adriana was looking at me with a mix of love and amusement.
"Well," she said, a smile playing on her lips, "I guess I stand corrected again."
I chuckled, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Told you I'm full of surprises."
As we lay there, tangled in each other's arms, a sudden wave of emotion washed over me. I gazed at Adriana, her face flushed and hair tousled, and I was struck by how much I loved this woman. How much she'd given me. Our children, her unwavering support, her fierce love.
My heart raced as the words formed on my lips before I could stop them. "Marry me," I whispered.
Adriana's eyes widened, her lips parting in surprise. "What?"
I swallowed hard, suddenly nervous but certain. "Marry me, Ade. I know there’s a lot of baggage around it, I know I’ve fucked up a lot, but...I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Be a real family."
“Tristan Callahan, you must have the world’s record for most marriage proposals to the same woman.”
“I’m going to keep asking until you say yes, and I’m going to make sure I don’t fuck it up this time.”
Adriana's eyes softened, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "You're serious, aren't you?"
I nodded, my heart pounding. "Dead serious. I know I've messed up before, but I swear to you, Ade, I'm in this for the long haul. You, me, our kids. I want it all, officially."
She was quiet for a long moment, her fingers tracing patterns on my chest. I held my breath, waiting.
"Okay," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Okay?" I echoed, hardly daring to believe it.
Adriana's smile widened. "Yes, Tristan. I'll marry you."
“You will?” I asked, partly because I couldn’t make myself believe it quite yet.
“Yes. But I have terms.”
“I’m afraid to ask.”
“Good. You should be.”
But then she smiled…and for a second, everything felt like it was just the way it should be.
If only I’d known just how close to danger we truly were…