The quiet hadn't felt like this in years. Austin Montgomery leaned against the stone railing of a quaint garden terrace, overlooking the sparkling waters of an exclusive coastal town tucked far away from the chaos of the city. The salt-sweet breeze played with his hair as he watched Clair laugh over her plate of lemon ricotta pancakes topped with berries and powdered sugar.
She sat at a sun-drenched table, wearing a soft pink sundress that clung gently to her curves, her baby bump prominent and radiant. Her curls were pinned up with small golden clips, her eyes gleaming as she dipped a crispy strip of bacon into whipped cream.
"That's illegal in at least five states," Austin teased, sitting across from her and sipping his espresso.
Clair grinned at him, eyes twinkling. "Don't knock it until you try it."
He leaned closer, stealing a kiss before taking a bite of the bacon from her hand. "Okay, that's criminally good."
The week had brought a kind of golden peace neither of them had expected. With the FBI easing off and the Montgomery brothers reinforcing every layer of protection around Clair, the weight on her shoulders had begun to lift. The escape to the seaside town had been spontaneous. Austin had told her to pack a bag and trust him.
And she had.
Now, days were slow and tender. Mornings began with long, lazy breakfasts. Afternoons meant strolling hand in hand through vibrant markets or relaxing on a private yacht Austin had docked nearby. And the nights? Filled with laughter, late-night movies, slow kisses, and whispered dreams.
One evening, after Clair demolished an impressive bowl of seafood linguine and followed it with a slice of triple-layered chocolate cake, Austin took her dancing. A local jazz club welcomed them in the soft glow of candlelight. Clair wore a silky black dress that hugged her curves and swayed to the beat.
As they danced, Clair rested her head against Austin's chest.
"Do you know how happy I am right now?" she whispered.
Austin kissed the crown of her head. "That's all I need to hear."
She looked up at him. "You're smiling more now."
"You're the reason."
Her eyes shimmered, and she rose onto her toes to kiss him softly. "I like the man you've become. Fierce. Protective. But soft for me."
He chuckled. "Don't let Elias hear you say that."
They danced until her feet ached. Austin carried her back to the hotel, refusing to let her walk another step.
Back in their suite, he gently helped her out of her heels and rubbed her swollen feet. She moaned at the relief.
"You're spoiling me," she murmured.
"You deserve the world, Clair. I'll spend the rest of my life proving that."
As she lay back on the bed, belly rising and falling with each breath, she looked up at him with awe. "You know what's crazy? I used to think I had to fight to be loved. To be seen. But with you, it's different. You don't just see me. You choose me. Every single day."
Austin leaned down, placing a hand on her belly, feeling the flutter of one baby and the stronger kick of the other. Then, with reverence, he pressed his lips there.
"Every single day," he echoed.
The next few days continued like a dream. Clair got her cravings fulfilled—tangy mango with chili salt, warm peach cobbler with ice cream, and a bizarre but delicious peanut butter and pickles sandwich. Austin indulged her every whim, no matter how strange.
They visited a botanical garden where Clair marveled at the orchids, and Austin secretly arranged to have a greenhouse built for her back home. At night, they sat by the water, her head resting in his lap, talking about the names they might give their children.
"I want something strong," Austin said. "Something that means legacy."
"And something gentle too," Clair added. "Something soft and kind."
"So we balance each other, like we always do."
Clair smiled and squeezed his hand.
Later, as they returned to their suite, Austin found a small wrapped gift waiting at the door. Inside was a delicate necklace, shaped like a moon cradling three stars.
Clair's eyes filled with tears. "You planned this?"
"I wanted you to have something to remember this moment. This peace."
She put it on immediately, the stars resting over her heart.
"I love you, Austin."
He took her in his arms, holding her against him as if she might slip away. "I love you more. And I will protect this family with every ounce of strength I have."
The world had given them hell. But for the first time, they were tasting heaven. Not the kind found in mansions or power—but the kind found in quiet mornings, full bellies, shared laughter, and the sound of three tiny heartbeats that promised a future they never thought they'd have.