Chapter 10 - The Sovereign's Daughter
One month later, the spring thaw had begun to melt the Chicago ice, filling the air with the sweet promise of new beginnings.
In the private maternity wing of Northwestern Memorial Hospital—guarded discretely by Luca and eight of Adrian's most trusted men—the silence of the morning was broken by a lusty, furious cry.
""She’s here,"" Dr. Chen announced with a warm, triumphant smile. ""A beautiful, healthy baby girl.""
Exhausted, drenched in sweat, and overwhelmed with pure joy, I sank back against the pillows. Adrian was standing over me, tears unashamedly streaming down his rugged face. He had held my hand through every contraction, refusing to leave my side for even a single second.
The nurse cleaned our daughter and wrapped her in a soft pink blanket, placing her gently onto my chest.
She had a shock of dark hair, just like Adrian’s, and tiny, perfect rosebud lips. As soon as she felt my heartbeat, her crying ceased, turning into soft, curious squeaks.
""Look at her, Adrian,"" I whispered, reaching up to brush a tear from his cheek. ""She's perfect.""
Adrian leaned down, his large, scarred finger gently stroking her tiny cheek. When her tiny hand instinctively reached out and wrapped around his pinky finger, Adrian let out a shuddering breath, completely captivated.
""What should we name her?"" he asked, his voice thick with wonder.
""Grace,"" I replied softly. ""Grace Moretti. Because she brought us grace when we were both lost.""
""Grace Moretti,"" Adrian repeated, tasting the words like holy scripture. ""She will have the world at her feet.""
Two weeks later, our official wedding ceremony was held at the Holy Name Cathedral. It was not a political alliance or a media stunt. It was an intimate gathering of people who truly loved us: Julian, Dr. Chen, and a few close, loyal friends.
I wore a flowing ivory gown that draped beautifully over my recovering figure. In my arms, I held little Grace, sleeping soundly against my chest.
Adrian stood at the altar, looking devastatingly handsome in an ebony tuxedo, his eyes fixed on me with a love so bright and pure it banished every shadow of his past.
After the vows were spoken and the priest pronounced us husband and wife, Adrian leaned down and kissed me passionately, the congregation erupting into joyous applause. Julian cheered loudly, tossing rose petals into the air.
As we walked down the grand stone steps of the cathedral into the warm spring sunshine, photographers captured our picture. But this time, there were no whispers of scandal or humiliation.
Nathan Vance had been sentenced to fifteen years at a maximum-security facility upstate that very morning, forgotten and powerless. Victoria had fled the state in disgrace. The enemies who had once threatened to tear us apart were scattered into dust.
Adrian wrapped his arm securely around my shoulders, while his other hand gently shielded baby Grace from the sun.
""Are you ready for your new life, Mrs. Moretti?"" he asked, his lips brushing against my temple.
May you like
I looked down at the beautiful baby in my arms, and then up at the fierce, devoted man who had given everything to claim us as his own.
""I've been ready for a long time, Mr. Moretti,"" I smiled. ""Take us home."""
