Sorry Too Late (by J.J. Twelve) novel Chapter 271

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Chapter 271

“My brother already popped out?!”

Kai’s voice rang through the room before he even appeared, his small feet pounding against the floor as he rushed in without stopping. He didn’t slow until he reached the bed-eyes wide, breath uneven, excitement practically spilling out of him.

Cassie and Ashton couldn’t help but laugh softly at the sight

He had been counting the days-no, the hours-until this moment. And now, fresh from his training at the facility below the mansion, he had been brought back to the one surprise he had been waiting for all along “Yes,” Ashton said, walking over and sitting beside him, his voice warm with quiet amusement.

“He already popped out. And I think he’s just as excited to meet his big brother.”

Kai’s entire face lit up.

Carefully-far more carefully than anyone would expect from someone who had just burst into the room-he climbed onto the bed. His movements slowed, his excitement turning into something gentler… almost reverent.

He leaned closer.

Tiny fingers reached out, hesitating for a second before gently pushing aside the soft cloth that partially covered the newborn’s face.

There he was. Small. Peaceful. Real.

Kai’s breath hitched.

With the utmost care, he extended his index finger and lightly touched the baby’s pink cheek-so soft it almost startled him.

The baby stirred. A tiny movement. A small yawn. Kai froze, his eyes widening even more.

“He’s… so tiny,” he whispered, his voice dropping as if afraid to break the moment. Then, looking up at Cassie with pure wonder, he added, “And so cute, Mama.”

Cassie’s heart melted.

“Just like you were,” she said softly, reaching out to cup Kai’s cheek, her thumb brushing against his skin as she looked at him with quiet affection. “When I popped you out of my belly.”

Kai blinked.

“I was this tiny too?” he asked, clearly amazed, his gaze darting between his brother and himself as if trying to imagine it.

Then his face broke into a wide, delighted grin.

“But I’m so big now!”

Cassie laughed softly, her eyes shining,

“Yes, you are. And you’ll grow even more-just like your Papa.”

Her gaze

flicked briefly to Ashton, a soft smile passing between them.

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“Big and strong,” she added.

Kai puffed up slightly at that, pride blooming instantly in his chest. He nodded enthusiastically–but just as quickly, his attention returned to the baby. Carefully, he leaned closer again.

“Hello, Atlas,” he whispered, his voice softer than anyone had ever heard it.

“I’m Kai… your big brother.” He paused, as if gathering something important.

“I’ll protect you,” he continued, his tone small but certain

“Just like Papa protects us.”

Silence followed. Not empty-But full.

Cassie and Ashton exchanged a quiet look, something deep and unspoken passing between them.

Ashton felt his chest tighten. Emotion rose so quickly, so unexpectedly, that for a moment, he couldn’t trust his voice. Instead, he leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss on Kai’s head, his hand resting there for a second longer than usual.

Kai turned to him then, his expression shifting-still soft, but now carrying something stronger. More resolute.

“You won’t be alone in protecting our family, Papa,” he said seriously.

Ashton stilled.

“I’ve been training,” Kai went on, his small voice steady with determination far beyond his years.

“In self-defense and combat… and in the web.” His chin lifted slightly.

“I’ll be the best of both worlds-like you,” he said with quiet pride.

“And I’ll protect my siblings too.”

For a moment, no one spoke. Because in that small voice- There was no childish exaggeration. Only sincerity. Only promise.

Ashton’s gaze softened, something fierce and protective flickering in his eyes as he looked at his son.

“…You already are,” he said quietly.

And as Cassie held their newborn, with Kai beside her and Ashton close-The room felt full in a way words could barely hold.

Not just with love.But with something stronger. A family-Growing.

“Thank you for this, Cass…”

Ashton’s voice came out low, unsteady so unlike him that it made Cassie’s chest tighten. His gaze lingered on their newborn, then shifted to Kai, then back to her… as if trying to take everything in at once and still finding it wasn’t enough.

“I missed Kai’s birth,” he continued, the words heavier now, carrying a quiet regret he rarely allowed himself to

show.

“But… you gave me this chance.”

Cassie’s expression softened. Slowly, she reached up and cupped his face, her thumb brushing gently against his

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To be each other’s strength.”

Silence followed but it wasn’t empty. It was full of everything they had been through. Of everything they had built. And everything still waiting for them.

Ashton let out a slow breath, his hand coming up to rest over hers, still cradling his face.

And I’ll make sure they’re ready,” he said quietly.

His gaze shifted to Kai. Then to the newborn in Cassie’s arms.

“And I’ll prepare them to carry what we’ve built,” Ashton continued, his voice deepening-not cold, but resolute.

“To lead. To stand unshaken.” He leaned forward, pressing a gentle kiss to Kai’s head.

Kai instinctively leaned into it, his earlier determination softening into something quieter-something safe.

ent further, placing another kiss on the newborn’s tiny, capped head, lingering just a moment

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be finished, a faint smile touching his lips, “as Wright and Pierce heirs.”

La soft breath, her eyes shining not from doubt, but from the overwhelming certainty that filled the

Dreams and power.

and strength.

ope and legacy

And right there, in that quiet moment, with Kai leaning against Ashton and their newborn resting safely in her

rms They weren’t just imagining a future.

They were already living the beginning of it.