Reclaimed By My Alpha (Natalia and Andrei) novel Chapter 327

Chapter 327

“Something like that,” I laughed. “The baby’s very tiny right now, but in about seven or eight months, you’ll have a little sibling.”

Max sat up straighter. “Is that why you’ve been sick in the mornings?”

“You noticed that?”

“It gets so stinky in tho

afterwards,” Jane said matter–of–factly. “So we knew something was up.”

I resisted the urge to flush bright red at that. Leave it to kids to point out the less savory parts of life. “Well, yes, that’s why I’ve been sick. It’s called morning sickness, and it happens when you’re growing a baby.”

“Will the baby look like us?” Max asked.

“Probably. You both look like your father, so I imagine this baby will too.”

“What if it’s a girl?” Jane asked. “Will she have to share my room?”

“We’ll figure all that out when the time comes. For now, the baby’s smaller than a grape, so we have plenty of time to plan.”

Both kids started talking at once, asking questions about names and whether the baby would be able to play with them and when exactly it would be born. Their excitement was infectious, and for the first time since I’d found out about the pregnancy, I felt truly happy about it rather than just worried.

We talked for another half hour before Max started yawning again. His recovery was going well, but he still needed rest.

“Alright. Time for bed,” I said, standing up. “Both of you.”

“But I’m not tired,” Jane whined, as if I couldn’t see her rubbing her eyes right in front of me.

“Nice try. Come on, off to your room.‘

“}

I tucked Max back into bed first, making sure he was comfortable. He was already half asleep by the time I kissed his forehead.

Jane’s room was across the hall. She chatted while I helped her into her nightgown and braided her hair for sleeping.

“I’m going to be the best big sister,” she announced as I pulled her covers up. “I’ll teach the baby everything I know.“!

“I’m sure you will, sweetheart.”

“And I’ll protect them from bad people like Helena.‘

My stomach dropped. “Jane, you don’t need to worry about protecting anyone. That’s what adults are for.”

“But what if-”

“No what–ifs.” I smoothed her hair back from her face. “Your job is to be six years old, okay? Let the grown–ups handle the scary stuff.”

She nodded, but I could see she wasn’t entirely convinced. These kids had been through too much, seen too much, They shouldn’t have to worry about protecting anyone.

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Chapter 327

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“Sweet dreams, baby.” I kissed her forehead and turned off the lamp.

I was closing Jane’s door behind me when I nearly collided with Grace in the hallway. She was in her nightgown, with a cup of milk in her hands. Her eyes were wide.

“I just heard Jane mentioning a little sibling,” she breathed, glancing at my belly. “Natalia, are you…”

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I nodded, and Grace’s smile grew until it was practically stretching from ear to ear. “This is amazing! We need to start planning immediately. A baby shower, decorating a nursery, getting all the supplies-

“Grace, slow down.”

“Oh, this is going to be so much fun! I know exactly what we need to do first. We’ll need to pick a theme, and we should definitely make a registry of everything you’ll need-”

“Grace.” I put a hand on her arm. “I appreciate the thought, I really do. But now isn’t exactly the best time for celebrations.”

Her face fell. “What do you mean?”

“In case you’ve forgotten, we’re in the middle of a war. The estate was just attacked, people died, and we still don’t know what Helena and her allies are planning next.” I shook my head. “A baby shower feels a bit frivolous under the circumstances, don’t you think?”

Grace’s shoulders sagged. “I understand. I guess I just thought… never mind.”

“Thank you for thinking of it, though. Really.”

She nodded, and with that, I turned and headed down the hall to mine and Andrei’s room. Andrei was already fast asleep by the time I crawled into bed, although he shuffled over to me and pulled me against his chest beneath the blankets.

I nestled into him, feeling both a sense of home–and disappointment.

If only things were different in the world right now. Then our third child could truly be a cause for celebration and not fear.