Prologue
Stacey’s POV
I woke up the second he got out of bed. I don’t know why he always gets up early these days. It’s like he has a double life... or maybe he’s just hiding something. But what could he be hiding?
“You’re such a light sleeper,” he commented.
“Well, why are you up early again?” I asked.
“It’s 5 a.m., Angel. I have to get ready for work,” he said. “But you can stay in bed. I’ll make breakfast after I shower.”
“You have work every day from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m, sometimes you even come home after midnight, Liam.” I sighed. “I hope you’re not going back to your old ways. What’s going on with you?”
“Argh, you really know how to ruin surprises.” He sighed. “Stacey, you’re heavily pregnant. We’re going to have our third child soon, so obviously, we need to prepare.”
It’s been more than a year since I gave birth to Leon, our baby boy. We celebrated his first birthday just a month ago. Angel has been a great big sister to him, but she can’t wait to have another sibling. I don’t know how I ended up pregnant again, but I’m definitely sure, after this baby, I’m done. No more.
“I know I’ll be giving birth any day now, but what does that have to do with you working 12-hour days?” I asked.
“Stacey, the kids need their own rooms, and this house—your house—is too small. I thought we could move into a bigger place once the baby is here.”
“Liam, we have two kids, okay? Angel has her own room, and so does Leon. If it’s a girl, she can stay in our room. If it’s a boy, he can share with Leon. I don’t see the point in moving. We already moved when Leon was born. That was chaos, Liam. I don’t want to do that again. I’m so done with moving.”
“Stacey, you won’t have to do anything. The boys and I will handle it. You can stay with—”
“No,” I interrupted. “We are not moving, Liam. Goodnight.”
“You just woke up, Stacey,” he said. “Can we please have a normal conversation? Why do you always get worked up?”
“Worked up?” I glared at him. “Liam, do you ever think that maybe the kids love this neighborhood? I love this house. I want our kids to grow up here. Angel has been through enough—she was kidnapped, tortured, and nearly died.” I wiped away a tear. “She’s finally happy. I don’t want to ruin that.”
“I know Angel went through a lot. You don’t need to remind me,” he said, his voice heavy. “But Angel wants to move too. I feel like you’re just using her as an excuse because you don’t want to move.”
“What?”
“Stacey, last year I wanted us to move, but you refused because Rex lived in that area. I didn’t argue when you chose this house. Can’t you just trust me this time? I really want us to move. This place I’ve found... it’s really—”
“Okay.” I smiled faintly. “If you think it’s best for us, then we’ll move.”
“After you give birth?” he asked, his face lighting up.
“Liam, that’s too soon,” I said. “But if you truly believe it’s the right thing to do, then fine.”
“I love you,” he said, kissing me.
“Let me check on Leon.” I got out of bed and made my way to Leon’s room. The second I got there, a sharp pain shot through my lower abdomen, and my water broke.
I grabbed the doorframe, trying to steady myself and not wake the baby. But the pain was too much.
“Liam!” I called out, trying to breathe steadily.
“Stacey, I need to get ready for—” He stopped mid-sentence as he ran to me. “Are you okay?”
He rushed to my side and picked me up the moment he saw the floor beneath me was soaked.
Leon stirred awake and started crying.
“Le—on.” I managed, wincing in pain.
“Calm down. I’ll get him before he wakes Angel up.” Liam said as he carried me down the hall toward the car. “Keep taking deep breaths, in and out.” He said, gently placing me down while he went back inside.
This baby is so ready to come into the world, and Liam is taking forever to get the kids.
He finally returned, carrying Leon in one arm and a sleepy Angel in the other.
He gently laid Angel in the back seat and then strapped Leon into his car seat. Without another word, he jumped behind the wheel and started driving.
He kept talking to me, trying to calm me down, but nothing helped. The contractions were intense and frequent. We were so prepared for Leon’s arrival. I don’t know why we were so unprepared this time.
We pulled into the hospital parking lot. Liam didn’t even bother finding a proper spot. He parked right at the emergency entrance and rushed out of the car.
“Stay with your brother!” he told Angel as he unbuckled me.
He lifted me into his arms and ran through the automatic doors, yelling, “She’s in labor, her water broke!”
A nurse immediately brought a wheelchair, and Liam gently set me down. The nurse began asking questions, but my focus was fading. The pain took center stage.
They wheeled me quickly through the corridors. Liam stayed by my side, holding my hand. I could barely squeeze it. Another contraction hit, and I screamed.
“Almost there, Stacey. Just breathe.” He said, brushing sweat from my forehead.
Once we reached the delivery room, everything moved fast. Nurses and a doctor surrounded me. Lights, gloves snapping, monitors beeping, it all became a blur.
“I’m not ready!” I gasped.
“You’re stronger than you think,” Liam whispered. “You’ve got this.” He added. “You brought Angel and Leon into this world, you can do this.”
The doctor looked at me. “Okay, Stacey. It’s time. On the next contraction, I need you to push.”
I gripped Liam’s hand tightly.
Here we go.
The moment I heard my baby cry, tears streamed down my cheeks. I was exhausted—completely drained. But in that instant, it was all worth it. All my babies came into this world healthy, and I couldn’t ask for more.
“Here’s your baby girl,” the nurse said, handing her to Liam.
“My little Angel.” He whispered with a smile. “She’s so beautiful... so perfect. I think we should name her Elsa.”
“Give me my baby, Liam.” I said, rolling my eyes.
Elsa? He’s out of his mind if he thinks I’m naming her that.
“Be careful.” He said as he gently passed her to me.
“I thought you said you wouldn’t pull the same stunt you did with Leon.” I said, holding our tiny daughter.
“I’m sorry, but Stacey---.” He paused “You carried her for nine months. I think it’s fair that I spend more time holding her.” He said, grinning. “She’s beautiful, isn’t she?”
“She has your features.” I smiled. “It’s like my genes don’t even try.”
“Yeah.” He chuckled. “Now, can I please get my baby girl back?”
“Nope. Go get the other two.” I said firmly.
“But I want to hold Elsa.” He replied, and I gave him a glare. “Fine, but I already called Lexie and your brother—they’re probably with them.”
“Liam, be a dad. Go get our other kids.” I told him. He left the room, acting all moody. He’s adorable when he’s dramatic.
“Isn’t your father crazy?” I whispered to my baby girl. “I think we should name you Gracey... or maybe Tracey.”
“We named her Elsa.” Liam said, walking in with Lexie, our kids, and my brother.
“No.” I said. “You already named Leon. So I get to name this baby.”
“You can’t even think of a name.” Liam argued as Lexie took the baby from me.
“She’s beautiful.” Lexie and my brother both said. “How about a compromise—you choose the first name, and Liam can choose the middle?” my brother suggested.
“Okay,” we both agreed.
“So it’s going to be Elsa Honey Salvatore.” Liam announced proudly.
“Honey?” I raised an eyebrow. “You’ve really been thinking about this, haven’t you?”
“Of course.” He grinned. “I couldn’t name our firstborn Angel, so I figured I’d name every other kid we have.”
“How about Tracey or Gracey?” I offered, and he narrowed his eyes at me.
“Tracey sounds cool.” He admitted, with a sneaky look. “So... Tracey Elsa Salvatore?”
“That’s perfect.” I smiled. “Angel Aurelia Salvatore, Leon Augustus Salvatore, and Tracey Elsa Salvatore.”
“Don’t you think Tracey is too close to Stacey?” He asked.
“As if Leon isn’t basically Liam Junior.” I smirked.
“Wait, since when is Angel’s middle name Aurelia?” my brother asked.
“Liam changed it.” Lexie said, wiping a tear from her eye. “You two are giving your babies such beautiful names. I hope they grow up to match them.”
“I’m actually thinking of changing Elsa’s name to Isadora.” Liam said, staring at our baby girl. “She’s just so perfect. That name fits her.”
“You really think so?” Lexie asked before I could speak.
He nodded. “Just like Mom.”
“Exactly.” He added with a wide smile. “I always wanted to name one of our kids Isadora, and today it just feels right.”
And in that moment, I realized something. Liam has a new favorite. It’s no longer Angel Aurelia Salvatore.
It’s now Tracey Isadora Salvatore, our newest miracle. I can’t wait to see him raise our beautiful three kids together. He is an amazing husband and father.
*Don’t forget to VOTE/Like, COMMENT and SHARE please*
A/N
.........AND I AM BACK, BABY :)
