Second Chance for the Barren Luna (Talia and Jason) novel Chapter 458

Nolan’s POV

The night before the twins' birthday, I could not fall asleep. I kept thinking about Talia and how she had never had the opportunity to celebrate with them. Five birthdays, and she missed every one. My wolf tried to comfort me. ‘She’ll wake up,’ he said. ‘She has to.’

I must have dozed off, because the next thing I knew, Nyla and Elian were climbing onto my bed, both grinning and bouncing.

“Dad, wake up!” Nyla said, tugging on my arm. “It’s our birthday!”

Elian flopped down next to me. “Come on, Dad! We want to open presents!”

I groaned, rubbing my eyes. It was still dark outside but the chirping of the birds signaled the sun would be rising any minute. “It’s too early. Go back to sleep."

Nyla giggled. “Miss Clara and Aunt Annie are making your favorite breakfast. They also got fresh roses for Mom.”

"I can eat later," I grumbled.

"Get up! Get up!" they chanted as they jumped up and down on the bed.

"Fine. Fine. I'm getting up," I groaned.

Once I got up and dressed, we went to the kitchen. Clara and Annie had made pancakes, bacon, sausage, fruit, and even a small cake. The twins ate, giggling and sneaking extra syrup. Fresh bright red roses sat on the table.

“Nyla, did you decide which games you’re playing first tonight?” Annie asked as she refilled Nyla's glass with orange juice.

Nyla nodded excitedly. “Pin the tail on the donkey! And the cupcake tower. I want to win this year.”

Elian rolled his eyes and said, “You always say that, but you make it fall over because you laugh too hard.”

“Everyone’s a winner with cupcakes. Just don’t get frosting everywhere this time," Clara said.

Elian grinned. “No promises.”

“Maybe after the party we can all go for a run," Annie suggested. "If the weather holds up, we could stop by the lake.”

Nyla looked hopeful. “We never go on runs! Dad can we?"

I nodded. “Of course. Just for your birthday."

Clara squeezed my shoulder as she passed with the plates. “This might be the year, Alpha. I can feel it.”

I nodded, not trusting myself to say anything. Annie quietly wiped away a tear, then went back to helping Nyla with the flowers.

As we ate, Nyla talked about all the games she wanted to play at the party. Elian kept interrupting, begging to open just one present before we went to the hospital. “Just one, Dad! I won’t ask for more.”

I shook my head, smiling. “We have a rule, remember? Hospital first, then party, then presents.”

Elian groaned but didn’t argue; he just piled more strawberries onto his plate while Nyla quietly arranged flowers for Talia.

“Do you think Mom will like the flowers?” Nyla asked.

I smiled at her. “She’d love them. Roses are her favorite."

Elian, with his mouth full of pancakes, asked, “Are we going to the hospital now?”

“Yes, right after breakfast,” I said.

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