Of Hearts and Homes.
Chapter Seventy One: Of Hearts and Homes
Aiden’s eyes fluttered open to a faint, irresistible smell drifting through the room. The scent of breakfast…warm, heavy, and somehow too familiar.
“What the hell is that smell?” he groaned, burying his face deeper into the pillow as if hiding would save him from it.
“Baby,” Aldrich’s voice came soft and teasing, the way it always did when he knew he was winning, “you’ve been in bed all morning. It’s almost afternoon, love.”
Aiden flipped over with a scowl that barely masked the smile tugging at his lips.
“If you ever bring eggs near me again, I swear I’ll exile you from this whole mansion.”
Aldrich chuckled, brushing a damp lock of hair from Aiden’s forehead with a tenderness that made Aiden’s heart beat faster.
“I’ll take that exile. Pretty sure you won’t survive long without me.”
Aiden glared but it was half-hearted. “You’re lucky I love you more than I hate food right now.”
“Alright, alright.” Aldrich called out as he handed the breakfast tray to the maid. “I’ll put these away.”
He knelt down beside the bed, pressing a light kiss to Aiden’s forehead. “What would you like instead?”
Aiden sighed, sinking back into the pillows, “Anything but eggs.”
Aldrich smiled softly. “So cute…”
“I heard that! Get out and get me something to eat,” Aiden snapped playfully, trying to sound serious.
“I would do that,” Aldrich replied, scooping him up in one smooth motion, “but first…get out of bed.”
“Hey! Put the pregnant omega down!” Aiden yapped, half laughing as Aldrich carried him toward the balcony.
Outside, Aldrich set him gently on his feet, and Aiden leaned into him with a tired sigh.
The sun was high, warm on their skin, and the city below buzzed softly with life.
“Do you ever think about how strange all this is?” Aiden asked quietly.
“We’ve fought gods, demons, monsters…” Aldrich’s voice dropped to a murmur, heavy with disbelief and wonder. “And now? I’m almost throwing up over eggs.”
Aiden let out a dry laugh, shaking his head.
“That’s what peace looks like,” Aldrich said, eyes on the horizon. “It’s nauseating, but it’s beautiful.”
Aiden reached up, gripping Aldrich’s hand. “I want to remember this…every little thing.”
“Me too.”
Aiden tugged the robe out of Aldrich’s hands, wrinkling his nose. “Your taste is terrible. And this robe is just way too big.”
“It wouldn’t be too big for long,” Aldrich smirked, swiping his card with ease, already eyeing the next item.
They wandered through the boutique, the smell of new fabric and polished wood surrounding them. Aldrich kept picking out anything Aiden pointed at, grinning like a kid in a candy store.
“We should start shopping for baby stuff already, Aldrich. Even if we don’t know the gender yet,” Aiden said, his voice softening with something like hope.
Gabriella stepped closer, holding a soft blue blanket with a delicate pattern woven into it.
“I think it’s a boy,” she whispered, eyes twinkling as she looked between them.
“I want a girl,” Aiden countered, glancing at Aldrich for his answer.
“I don’t really care,” Aldrich said honestly, voice low and steady.
“A healthy you and baby…that’s all that matters. Now, let’s find you some bigger pants.”
Aiden rolled his eyes but couldn’t stop the smile creeping across his face. “You should want exactly what I want.”
Aldrich caught his gaze, leaning in to press a kiss to the corner of Aiden’s mouth. “I do. Always.”
Merrick stepped out of the Direction des Relations Surnaturelles building, his breath shallow as the cold Parisian air hit him like a slap.
The building loomed behind him, silent and empty now…closed after a scandal so deep it felt like the city itself was bleeding corruption.
Paris was strange tonight…an uneasy mix of old-world charm and sharp, modern edges. It was beautiful, but foreign. Like a city he no longer recognized.
His hands shoved deep into his pockets, Merrick walked slowly, head bowed under the weight of everything he’d lost…and everything he still needed to find.
Suddenly, he bumped into someone.
“I’m so sorry…” he dropped to his knees, hastily gathering scattered papers from the ground.
The person before him was clearly a worker from DRS, their face tense and eyes wary.
One paper slipped from the pile…it was Elliot’s profile.
Merrick’s heart hammered as the worker scrambled to pick up the rest.
Without thinking, he slid that one paper into his pocket.
He stepped aside to look over it quietly. The words stabbed him: “Transferred. 100% experiment success. Released under another identity.”
What had they done to Elliot?
Clenching his fists until his knuckles whitened, Merrick whispered, “Elliot… what did they do to you?”
“You’re soooo good at this,” Aiden moaned softly, utterly spent as he lay back against the pillows.
Aldrich’s hands moved slowly, tracing soothing circles along Aiden’s back, humming lullabies in a language older than either of them.
“You never told me what those words mean,” Aiden mumbled, eyes heavy.
“They mean, ‘For every storm, there’s a home.’”
Aiden turned toward him, a faint smile breaking through exhaustion. “You are my home, Aldrich.”
“But first…” Aiden sat up suddenly, hands resting on his belly, a small frown tugging at his lips.
“I’m hungry. I know it’s midnight, but can you get me honey and ice?”
“Of course.” Aldrich kissed his forehead gently and slipped out without a word.
When he returned, Aiden was already deep in sleep.
Aldrich set the plate down carefully, leaning close to admire him…the soft curve of his jaw, the gentle rise and fall of his chest.
“I hope our child is as beautiful as you,” he whispered, fingers tracing the side of Aiden’s face with a tenderness that made his chest ache.
Merrick walked through a narrow alley, the sun long gone and the shadows thickening.
Should I just give up? The thought kept clawing at him.
Then…something moved.
A figure brushed past him, familiar and impossible.
Same glasses. Same coat. Same guarded presence.
Merrick stopped, breath catching.
The man turned, hood up, but those eyes…flashing for a moment in the lightning…were unmistakable.
It was Elliot.
“Elliot!” Merrick’s voice cracked with hope and fear.
But before Elliot could answer, a car pulled between them, blurring everything.
When the car passed, Elliot was gone.
Without thinking, Merrick crossed the street, his eyes searching wildly.
Rain began to fall, cold and steady, soaking through his coat.
He stood there, breath trembling, a broken laugh escaping him…part disbelief, part relief.
“You’re alive…”