Chapter 97

A Month Later...

It seemed like many things had changed since the night Edward had vanished from all our lives. There was no longer that pending, dreadful sense of worrying looming over our heads. Many of James’ relatives had, undoubtedly, changed their outlook on me since that Crescent Moon Annual Dinner.

Not a single one of them would have expected me to be the one to essentially end Edward. Their expressions were filled with a shock that slowly melted into sheer impressive respect.

Diana and Ellison had made it their job to hide all of it from the media. The last thing James and I needed was another scandal to deal with.

But from that point on, not a single person spoke of Edward’s vile attempt or anything else regarding that night. And I was more than happy with that.

Things had become calm...Well, as calm as could be when one was in the midst of planning a wedding. In fact, part of Diana’s cover story for the Annual Dinner turned out to be a wedding announcement.

She’d spun the story so strategically to make it sound as though James had used the occasion to properly propose to me, even though he’d already done it prior. I was deeply thankful for the save and asked Diana if she and James’ sister would be interested in helping me plan the wedding.

“I don’t know the first thing about planning a wedding,” I told them.

Diana waved off my concerns and smiled. “My dear, you have nothing to worry about. Consider it done.”

Our days became filled with flower selections and various color pattern options. We’ve decided to have the ceremony outside at a beautiful vineyard in the countryside.

Although James did his best to try and hide away in his study, I graciously made it a point to drag him along where he was needed.

Yes, I was happy and deeply exhausted.

Unfortunately, as time went on, my energy was vastly slowing up. James’ concern was growing daily.

“Mia, please, give yourself a break,” he said pointedly. “There’s no reason for you to be rushing around in your state.”

He had a point. I was due to deliver these babies any day now. Well, Dr. Harold had specifically said that my due date was in about another week and a half but every time I moved, I could have sworn that I was seconds away from going into labor.

But that wasn’t going to stop me from doing everything that I needed to do in order to make sure that the wedding was perfect.

“James, I’m fine.”

“Like hell,” he grumbled.

I scowled at the man and huffed. “Would you stop making a big deal out of this? I told you that I’m fine, alright? For Christ’s sake, all I’m doing is sorting through invitations—which, by the way, need to go out in the next two days.”

“I’m sure my mother and Lana are already working on it,” he said. “It’s all going to be alright.”

I raised a brow. “Really? Have you even glanced at the guest list? Are you aware that both David and Michael will be in attendance?”

James shrugged. “We’ve all moved on from our past issues with one another.”

I pursed my lips and nodded. “Well, I suppose that’s good to hear. Are you willing to extend that olive branch to Ben Anderson?”

James’ expression turned slack. “What?”

“I’m inviting Ben to the wedding,” I told him.

“You’re telling me that I have to share you, with not one but two men that have it out for you?” he asked bitterly.

Suddenly, it felt like every muscle in my body clenched at once. My mouth fell open as I nearly doubled over in pain. “Oh my God!” I gasped.

James’ anger instantly vanished and was replaced with sheer panic. He quickly threw his arms around me and held me up.

“Mia? What is it? What’s wrong?”

“James...I think the babies are coming.”

“What? B-But, Dr. Harold said they’re not due for another week and a half.”

“Well, apparently, they want out now!” I screamed.

On our way out of the house, James made a loud announcement to make sure that the nursery was readily available when we returned. He rushed us to the hospital and called out for any available nurse to get me to the labor and delivery unit.

Dr. Harold came flying through the doors of the room and quickly got everything prepared. “A bit early, aren’t we?” he humored.

I tried to give a laugh but was swiftly rendered speechless as another contraction snatched the very air from my lungs. James’ face was twisted with anguish pain and worry as he allowed me to squeeze his hand.

“You’re about six centimeters dilated, Mrs. Derek,” one of the nurses said. “It may not take long to get to ten.”

...

Sure enough, within the next hour and a half, I’d exerted every last ounce of my energy bracing myself and pushing to the point of seeing stars.

Just as the second baby was delivered, my body gave out and I sagged back into the bed.

“You did it,” James whispered. He pressed several kisses to my head and face. “You were amazing.”

“Are the babies o-okay?” I managed to ask.

Two nurses came to my side, each with a newborn wrapped in a soft blanket.

“Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Derek. You have a healthy baby girl and boy!”

“Have you two settled on names?”

We both nodded and smiled. “Theodore and Scarlet,” I said weakly.

The two nurses placed the twins in James’ capable hands. I was pleasantly surprised to find tears in the corners of James’ eyes as he gazed down at the two babies.

“So beautiful. They look just like their mother,” he stated softly.

My heart fluttered. “Our family.”

Soon, tears were blurring my vision. I was so happy I never thought such a feeling was possible. I felt so complete.