chapter 179
Elena's POV:
I reached for Sebastian's hand, ignoring the IV tugging at my arm.
"I need you to love him. Not just tolerate him because he's mine, but truly love him."
Something flickered across his face—vulnerability, perhaps, quickly masked by his usual controlled expression. "You almost died," he said quietly. "Do you understand that? Your heart stopped. They had to—"
He broke off, running his free hand through his hair, and I noticed more silver strands catching the light.
"But I didn't die," I whispered. "I'm here. And he... Sebastian, he's the gift I bought with my life. " My voice broke slightly. "Promise me you'll love him. "
He closed his eyes, jaw working as he fought for control. When he opened them again, they were bright with unshed tears. "I promise," he said hoarsely. "I'll love him. "
"Not just for me," I pressed. "For him. Because he deserves to be loved for who he is, not just as an extension of me."
"I know." He brought my hand to his lips, pressing a fierce kiss to my palm. "I'll love him, Elena. I swear it. I'll be the father he deserves, even if I have no idea how."
"You'll learn," I said softly. "We both will."
He nodded, still looking lost but determined now.
The door opened, and a nurse wheeled in a clear bassinet. My breath caught as I saw the tiny bundle inside, wrapped in the softest blue blanket. So small. So perfect.
"Would you like to hold him, Mrs. Vane?" the nurse asked gently.
I nodded, unable to speak as she carefully placed my son in my arms.
He was lighter than I expected, his face scrunched and pink, tiny fingers curled into fists. As I studied his features—Sebastian's strong jaw already hinting beneath baby softness, my nose in miniature.
"Come here," I said softly. "Come meet your son properly."
Sebastian approached slowly, as if walking through a minefield.
"What should we call him?" I asked, shifting slightly to make room for Sebastian on the bed's edge.
He stared at the baby, then at me, then back at our son. "I... I hadn't thought about it."
"We can finally give him a real name now that we know he's a boy. We couldn't decide before, not knowing if we'd have a son or daughter."
"I... yes. He needs a name."
"Something meaningful," I suggested, tracing our baby's tiny features with one finger. "Something about love, maybe? Or strength?"
Sebastian was quiet for a moment, studying our son's face. "Evander," he said suddenly. "It means 'good man' in Greek. But more than that—Evander was brave, a warrior who chose love over war."
"Evander," I repeated, testing the name. "Evander Vane. It's perfect."
As if responding to his new name, our son's eyes fluttered open.
Those newborn blue eyes, still unfocused but somehow seeming to search for the source of my voice. He made a small cooing sound, his tiny hand flexing against my chest.
"Oh!" I gasped in delight. "Look, Sebastian! He's opening his eyes. I think he likes it—he approves of his name."
Sebastian leaned closer, his breath catching. "He's looking right at you."
"Hello, Evander," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. "Hello, my brave boy. Do you like your name?"
The baby blinked slowly, his rosebud mouth forming a tiny 'o' as if in response.
"Evan," I agreed, smiling up at Sebastian through happy tears. "Our brave, beloved boy."
"Here," I said gently, "hold him. Let him get to know his father's voice too."
Sebastian's hands trembled slightly as he took our son, holding him as if he were made of spun glass. The contrast between his large hands and Evan's tiny form made my heart clench.
Lady Margaret moved closer, her expression soft but expectant. "Go on then, Sebastian. Say hello to your son properly."
Sebastian looked down at Evan, and I watched as his face contorted into what could only be described as the world's most unnatural smile.
"Hello, little parasite," he said silkily.
The effect was immediate. Evan's face scrunched up, turned red, and he let out a wail that seemed impossible from such a small body.
"Sebastian!" Lady Margaret and I exclaimed in unison.
"What?" He had the audacity to look puzzled even as he instinctively started rocking the crying baby. "It's a term of endearment."
Lady Margaret sighed deeply. "You know what? I think Evan needs some time with people who won't traumatize him."
She gently took the baby from Sebastian's arms. "The nurses and I will handle things for now."
"Sebastian," I said weakly, watching our son being whisked away, "I'm instituting a new rule. You're not allowed to be alone with Evan until you learn how to talk to him like a normal person."
"That's—" Sebastian started to protest.
"Non-negotiable," I cut him off. " He's five minutes old, and you've already made him cry."
The nurse followed Lady Margaret out with a barely suppressed smile, leaving us alone. Sebastian stood there for a moment, looking genuinely bewildered, before carefully climbing onto the bed beside me.
"He's very demanding," Sebastian said after a moment, settling against the pillows. "Five minutes old and already monopolizing everyone's attention. Stealing you away from me."
I stared at him. "Are you... are you jealous of our newborn son?"
"I'm not jealous," he said with great dignity. "I'm simply observing that he's already quite skilled at commanding a room. " He pulled me closer. "I had to nearly die in a car crash to get that kind of fussing."
"Sebastian Vane, you are absolutely ridiculous."
"Ridiculously yours," he corrected, but I could hear the smile in his voice.
"He looks like you," I said after a moment, thinking of Evan's delicate features.
"He looks like a potato," Sebastian replied. "A very small, angry potato. We can discuss resemblances when he actually looks human."
I tried to hit him, but between the exhaustion and the painkillers, it was more like a gentle pat against his chest. "That's our son you're talking about."
He caught my hand, bringing it to his lips with that infuriating smile.
"I know. My precious little potato." He pulled me closer, careful of my various aches and pains. "Did you see how red he got? Impressive lung capacity. He'll be running board meetings in no time."
"Sebastian!"