Chapter 47 Breakdown

Chapter 47 Breakdown
The snow was falling really hard outside the mountain lodge. It was so quiet and peaceful. It did not make Iris Vale feel any better. She was standing in the hallway trying to catch her breath. Her back was against the wall. She was feeling really sad. The air was filled with the smell of pine from the fireplace and the smell of blood from her bandages. Her body was hurting over. It was not just from the fights and running away but from the emotional pain of taking care of the children and dealing with the loss and uncertainty.

Downstairs the children were finally sleeping after a time of crying and asking questions. Elias was taking care of Lila and Noah and Theo was sleeping with his head in Claires lap. The three babies, Rose, Lily and Violet were sleeping in their pod and Amara was watching them. The other children, Hope, Aurora and Dawn were sleeping in a corner. They were all being protected by the older girls. Grace was sitting quietly. Her eyes were closed but Iris knew she was still thinking about what had happened.

Lucien had gone to the wing thirty minutes ago saying he needed to check the security cameras.. Iris knew he was not telling the truth. She knew he was breaking down under the pressure. She could see it in the way he was walking. The way he was looking at the children when he said goodnight. The anger and frustration that had been driving him were starting to fade. She could see the pain and sadness in his eyes.

Iris found him in the master bedroom sitting on the bed crying silently. The room was dark except for a lamp on the nightstand. Lucien looked broken. Iris had never seen him like that before. He was usually an powerful man but now he looked like he was about to collapse.

Iris went into the room. Closed the door behind her. Lucien looked up. His eyes were red and filled with tears. "Iris " he whispered, his voice shaking. "I do not know if I can do this anymore. Every time I close my eyes I see the children. I see Theos face when they took him and Lilas face when she looked at me like I was going to disappear. The babies are so small. The world keeps trying to hurt them."

Iris went to him. Cupped his face with her hands. His skin was hot and feverish. "You are not alone Lucien " she said. "We are in this together. We will face every challenge, every loss and every fight together. I see you Lucien. I see how much this is hurting you.. I love you for it. Even when it hurts."

Lucien pulled Iris into his lap. He buried his face in her neck. He was crying loudly now. Iris was holding him tightly. She was rocking him like she rocked the children and her fingers were in his hair. Lucien was finally breaking down. Iris was there to catch him.

Then they. It was a slow and gentle kiss at first.. It quickly became hungry and urgent. Luciens hands were over Iriss body and he was touching her like he was trying to memorize her. They took off their clothes. They were together on the bed. Lucien was inside Iris. They were moving together slowly at first.. Then they were moving faster and it was like they were trying to claim each other.

After they finished they were lying together. They were breathing in sync. Lucien was brushing Iriss hair out of her face. His eyes were soft and filled with pain. "I do not deserve you Iris " he whispered. "After everything I did you still chose me. You still fight for us."

Iris touched Luciens jaw and her touch was gentle. "We chose each other, Lucien " she said. "Our obsession became love. Our pain became our family. I would not change anything if it means we have the children. All of them the ones we lost."

Their moment was interrupted by a knock on the door. It was Captain Reyes. He sounded urgent. "We have a situation Lucien " he said. "Victor Lang is on the line. He wants to talk to both of you. Now."

They got dressed quickly. They went to the war room. The main screen was on. Victor Lang was there looking smug and confident. He was surrounded by guards and behind him there were stasis pods with perfect replicas of their children. There was a new one that looked like Theo and his eyes were open.

" family you have Lucien " Victor said. ". Time is up. You have to bring the children to me by midnight or I will start transferring their minds into the replicas. Starting with Theo. He is fighting,. He is getting weaker. He keeps calling for you."

The children were crying again. Iris felt like she was going to collapse.. Lucien caught her and he was holding her tightly. "You will not touch them Victor " he growled.

Victor just laughed. " Words, Lucien " he said. ". Here is the twist. The thirteenth child the one Grace told you about is not in Iceland. She is already here inside one of you.. She is about to wake up."

The screen. On the right there was a live feed of a young woman who looked like Iris. She was pregnant. She was strapped to a table in Victors facility. "Meet Elara " Victor said. "Your blooded sister. She is carrying triplets, my children, the next generation."

Iris felt like the room was spinning. Luciens grip, on her waist was tight. It was hurting.. Then one of the babies Violet opened her eyes and spoke in a tiny voice. "Mommy the accident was not the end. It was the beginning. I was the one they took the original template. I have been waiting inside you along."

The room was. Iris collapsed. She was. She was holding her stomach. Lucien caught her. They were both breaking down in front of the children. The shared dreams were getting stronger. The children were screaming in unison. Victors voice came back. He was saying, "Midnight is here. Choose which child you save first. I take them all."