Chapter 44
After watching my son being born, I couldn't describe the happiness I felt in that moment. It was an intense, overwhelming feeling that filled my entire being. Being part of this moment in my Chloe's life and knowing she wanted to share something so important with me was incredible.
I'll admit, at first I thought she'd ask me to stay away, but when she confirmed my request, I felt like the most fulfilled man in the world.
Just a few hours after being born, Alexei Petrov—the name we'd chosen—had already received several visitors and gifts.
He's a beautiful boy with brown hair like mine and fair skin like his mother.
We still can't tell what color his eyes are, but that's just a detail.
The most important thing is that he and his mother are healthy, and if all goes well, she'll go home tomorrow.
Finally, all the visitors leave, and we're alone.
I'm holding Alexei in my arms, rocking him.
He sleeps like an angel—such a good baby who only cries when he's hungry or needs changing.
I won't let my little one lift a finger; I've learned to change diapers and dress him in the tiny outfits that were at Martha's house, since she was going to take care of them at first.
I take the opportunity to talk to my girl about this. I place our son in the crib and sit beside her on the bed, holding her hand, and say:
“Chloe, I know you asked for time and patience, but you'll be leaving the hospital in two days, so I'd like to know…”
She cuts me off before I can finish:
“It's okay, we'll go. After all, you're the father and you need to help me take care of our son, and I can't keep being a burden on anyone.”
“Are you serious?” I ask, still in disbelief, feeling like the most fulfilled man alive. I thought it would be hard to convince her to live with me, but I was wrong. She nods, confirming what she said.
“I'll get his room ready tomorrow. Tell me what you like and how you want it. I'll do it exactly the way you want.”
“Alex, you can't organize everything in one day,” she says, smiling. “So it can be simple. I don't mind—after all, it's just a room.”
“It's our first son's room. We have to make it as perfect as possible. Don't worry, I'll handle it. Now rest—this little glutton will be waking up soon.”
She turns onto her side and I cover her with the blanket. I still haven't gotten the answer I've been hoping for, but now that I'll have them with me, I'm not worried. All I can think about is making them happy. Day by day, I'll win her back.
I barely slept all night, constantly helping change diapers and assisting Chloe with feedings. I was up early, so I asked a nurse to stay in my place and left, heading straight to my apartment, where a friend who's also a designer was already waiting for me.
It had been a while since I'd decided to move here.
The memories of Chloe, her scent in my bed, were killing me, making me realize she was all I needed.
So, to try to forget my little one for a bit, I left my house and moved into this apartment.
Now I'm trying to make it as comfortable as possible so Chloe, Elena, and my son feel at home.
I want her with me so we can build a beautiful family, and I'm going to try—I won't give up on winning her back.
But if nothing works out, I'm already preparing the documents to transfer the apartment to my son's name, so they won't have to go back to living above the nightclub.
I snap out of my thoughts as soon as I see her…
The designer and I made all the decisions about the new room. We went shopping and came back loaded with bags. By the end of the day, everything was ready and organized.
I also took the opportunity to decorate the room Elena was staying in, making it reflect her personality. We added a vanity, pink bedding like she wanted, lots of clothes in the closet, and all sorts of toiletries. Her happiness was obvious.
So I took a risk and told her what I wanted to do:
“Elena, if Chloe takes me back, would you like to be my daughter too? I'd like to adopt you.”
She looked at me in surprise, tears flooding her eyes, hugged me tight, and said:
“All I want is to see my sister happy. She's suffered so much in her life, and if this is what makes her happy, I accept.”
I give her a tight hug and stroke her blonde hair.
“For now, it'll be our secret, okay?”
“Okay, I promise I won't say anything.”
“I need to go to the hospital. Mrs. Teresa is here. If you need anything, you can call her,” I say, thinking of Mrs. Teresa, who worked for my parents and agreed to keep working for me after they passed.
I'd asked her to come help us at the apartment, especially with a newborn.
She was my nanny, so she had far more experience.
“Teresa, I'm heading to the hospital. I should be back tomorrow. If you need anything, just call me.”
“Hey, boy, tell me something,” Teresa says. “Don't you think now that you have a family, your parents' house would be better to live in? Children need space, and there's so much love in that mansion. I think it's time to take another look at it and renovate, make it easier for raising a child.”
“I really hadn't thought about that,” I reply. “But I'll figure it out with Chloe later. For now, the apartment is perfect, especially since Alexei is still a baby. I have to go—see you tomorrow, Tere.”
I kiss her goodbye on the cheek and grab an apple to eat on the way. I arrive at the hospital late and find Chloe breastfeeding. I stop at the door and watch how she admires our little man’s beauty while feeding him.
“Sorry I’m late. It’s been a crazy day,” I say, walking in.
“I’m trying to figure out what you did all day, since I told you not to go overboard with the nursery,” Chloe comments.
“Actually, after talking with Teresa, I realized I could have kept it simpler, but what’s done is done. Let me burp him.”
And that’s how our days have been. I have to admit, I’m loving life as a father of two. Yes, I love Elena just as much as I love my son. I’ve been working hard to earn Chloe’s trust. I never thought it would be this hard, but I haven’t given up.
My parents’ house, which I’d kept closed with just a skeleton staff, is being cleaned and redecorated.
I’m waiting for the right moment to take my family there.
I asked them to keep everything as close to the original as possible, including the bedrooms. But my suite—I did something special with that.
I know Chloe’s tastes from when we were together, so I designed it the way she always dreamed.
It’s been almost three months since she moved in with me, along with the kids. We don’t get much time alone, so I planned something special that would include our children. As always, Elena is my little accomplice and has been a huge help.
I walk into Alexei’s room and find Chloe arranging the toys.
“Chloe…” I call, getting her attention. “I’d like you to wear this dress today.” I set a bag on the bed. “Be ready at seven. My driver will pick you up.”
“Alex, wait…” she calls after me, but I’m already out the door, not giving her a chance to refuse.
Martha stopped by and took the kids, using a day out as her excuse. Of course the whole thing seemed suspicious, and I knew she might be onto me, but the only real risk was her not showing up.
At the scheduled time, my driver was already waiting at the building entrance to pick her up. I stood there anxiously, phone in hand, waiting for his call—which, to my dismay, never came. All I could do was wait.
Minutes that felt like hours dragged by, until I saw the gate open and the car pull in. My heart started pounding erratically, my hands trembled, and a cold sweat washed over me. I’d never been so nervous in my life.
“Easy there, buddy, or Chloe’s going to be a widow before you even pop the question,” Jullian comments beside me, trying to lighten the mood.
“Shut up, idiot,” I mutter, eyes fixed on the entrance.
The driver gets out and walks to the back door.
And then… she appears. Chloe steps out slowly, and I lose my breath.
The strapless dress fits her like a glove, accentuating every curve motherhood has given her.
The delicate fabric in a soft pearlescent tone and the mermaid cut look like they were made for her.
Her hair, pinned up high with loose strands framing her face, makes her even more stunning.
She looks like an ethereal vision, a goddess.
As her feet touch the ground, Chloe looks around, taking in the garden full of flowers I prepared just for her. A soft smile curves her lips, and when our eyes meet, I can’t help myself. I break protocol and walk toward her, unable to stay put in the face of such beauty.
“Weren’t you supposed to wait for me over there, and then greet me on one knee with a little box in your hands?” she says, an amused gleam in her eyes.
“Can’t keep anything from you, can I? I failed miserably,” I respond with a nervous laugh.
She shakes her head, and a smile spreads across her face—the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen. My heart races, and for a moment, I forget every word I’d planned. I take a deep breath, trying to regain my composure, while she watches me with shining eyes, trying to figure out what’s happening.
It wasn’t easy getting here. Three months have passed since I started planning all of this.
Sleepless nights spent imagining the perfect moment, rehearsing the words, thinking about the place and the right time.
And now, standing in front of her, I feel a mix of anxiety and joy.
My heart pounds so loud it seems to echo through the silent garden.
“Wait…” I say, my voice trembling slightly, afraid any wrong move could ruin everything.
Before she can respond, I take her hand gently, intertwining our fingers, and lead her to where I’d been standing in the garden, where seasonal flowers create an almost magical setting, bathed in the soft glow of lights I’d had installed and the stars shining in the night sky.
A light breeze makes strands of her hair dance in the air.
The scent of the flowers intensifies the moment, making everything feel even more special.
“I know this maybe isn’t how you expected it to go,” I begin, searching her eyes for courage as the words I’d memorized suddenly vanish. “But honestly, I don’t think anything I do will ever be enough to show you how much you mean to me.”
I pull the little box from my jacket pocket, take one more deep breath, and finally kneel before her.
As I open the small velvet box, the ring catches the light from the fixtures around us, the diamond casting a subtle rainbow.
The sound of the children in the background brings a touch of reality to what feels like a dream.
“I spent months thinking about how to do this. I thought about romantic dinners, trips, even something more elaborate. But in the end, I realized none of that matters as much as being here with you, being honest. Because that’s how I want to spend every day by your side: in the simplicity of our truth. ”
She covers her mouth with her hand, her eyes welling up, and I continue:
“Chloe, I know I promised to wait—especially for your moment. But that time away from you? Those were the worst days of my life. What comforted me, despite the distance you put between us, was having all of you here with me in my house. That brought me some relief. But I deserved it. And spending all these days and nights with you, my family”—I look at Elena and Alexei beside us—“I realized there's no perfect moment.
After I brought you here, to my parents' house, and saw your eyes light up, I realized I couldn't wait any longer. So today, in the presence of our children”—she catches what I said—“yes, my love, our children, I want to ask you to marry me, so we can build a beautiful family together, the kind they deserve. The kind we deserve. And I want to take this chance”—I pull out another small box, this one with a much smaller diamond—“to ask if you'll adopt Elena with me? So, Chloe Brooks, my beloved, will you be my wife? Will you become the future Mrs. Petrov?”
Her eyes fill with tears as Elena approaches and urges her:
“Say yes, sis. I want a family too,” Elena says with a sweet, hopeful smile.
Chloe takes a deep breath, wipes away her tears with her fingertips, and with her voice choked with emotion, answers:
“I accept, Alex. I accept you as my husband, my friend, my lover, and the father of my son…” she pauses, breathing deeply to contain her emotion, “and of Elena too. Because this is what family is: feeling like we belong to something greater, together. I'm ready to finally be truly happy!”
“And we will be, my love,” I promise with all my heart. “We're going to build a future full of love, laughter, and adventure. We'll raise our children with all the care and dedication they deserve, and we'll grow old together.”
I slip the rings onto the hands of the most important women in my life and promise to take care of them for as long as I live.
Elena throws herself into our arms, beaming, while I hold Alexei, who, with his bright little eyes and toothless grin, reaches his tiny arms toward his mother.
We wrap ourselves in a group embrace full of love and promises of a happy future.
In this moment, I feel like everything was worth it. I feel like I've found my family, my home, my everything. And I know that together, we'll create unforgettable memories and live a life full of love and happiness.