Chapter 24
Claire
A few days passed in a quiet blur. Elyna and Phoenix finally came home with their baby boy.
The whole property buzzed with excitement.
Cars came and went. Laughter floated through the air.
Even the workers seemed lighter, smiling more as word spread that the baby was healthy and everyone was doing well.
I carried a small gift bag up the path toward their house, nerves fluttering in my stomach, though I wasn’t sure why.
Maybe because new babies made everything feel fragile and hopeful at once. Harmony opened the door first.
“Hi, you,” she said warmly. “Come in. They’re in the living room.” The house smelled like fresh laundry and baby lotion.
Soft voices drifted from inside. Elyna sat curled on the couch, looking exhausted but glowing in that new-mom way. Phoenix hovered nearby like he was afraid to breathe too loudly. In her arms was the tiniest human I’d ever seen.
“Oh wow,” I whispered.
Elyna smiled tiredly. “Right? He doesn’t even feel real yet.”
I handed her the gift. “Just something small.”
“You didn’t have to do that,” she said, but her eyes softened.
The baby stirred, making a tiny squeaking noise that instantly melted something inside me.
“He’s perfect,” I said quietly.
Phoenix beamed like he’d been handed the whole world. We talked for a while about small things like sleepless nights and how her labor had been long but manageable. We talked about Braden adjusting to being a big brother too.
Eventually Harmony disappeared into the kitchen to make tea, leaving Elyna and me alone for a moment. She studied me carefully.
“You look happy,” she said.
I blinked. “Do I?”
She nodded. “Yeah.”
I smiled faintly. “I think I am.”
Her expression softened knowingly, and for a moment we just sat there listening to the quiet sounds of the baby breathing.
My smile faded slightly. “Asher’s been training nonstop.”
Elyna’s eyebrows lifted. “Yeah. Phoenix said he’s going hard.”
“He barely sleeps,” I said quietly. “He’s up early. Comes back late. He looks exhausted all the time.”
Elyna adjusted the baby against her chest. “The fight’s getting close.”
“I know,” I said, chewing my bottom lip. “And I’m trying to be supportive, but…” I hesitated.
“But you’re scared,” she finished gently.
I nodded.
“He told me the guy he’s fighting is known for fighting dirty,” I said. “I looked him up online, and I wish I hadn’t. He’s dangerous.”
Her expression turned serious.
“I’m worried he’s going to get hurt,” I confessed.
Elyna sighed. “You’re not the only one.”
I looked at her.
“Phoenix worries too,” she said. “He just hides it better.”
I hesitated before speaking again. “Do you think… maybe Phoenix could talk him out of the fight?”
Elyna’s eyes softened with understanding. “I can ask,” she said carefully. “But you know Asher. Once he decides something…”
“I know,” I whispered.
The baby made a tiny noise, and Elyna smiled down at him.
“He listens to people he loves,” she added quietly. “Even if he pretends, he doesn’t.”
That made my chest tighten.
Love.
The word felt dangerous. It was too big, too soon. But the truth pressed heavy in my chest anyway. Because every time Asher left to train, something inside me twisted with fear. That scared me almost as much as the fight itself.