Chapter One-Hundred-Five

Chapter One-Hundred-Five
Grace’s POV
As we drove away from the doctor's office, I kept stealing glances at the ultrasound images clutched in my hands. Two babies. Twins. The reality of it still hadn't fully sunk in.
"Twins," I whispered again, running my finger over the fuzzy outline of Baby A, then Baby B. "I still can't believe it."
Hunter reached across the console and squeezed my knee, his eyes never leaving the road. "How are you feeling?"
"A little overwhelmed and terrified. But excited." I laughed softly. "All of the above? It's a lot to take in."
"It is," he agreed, his voice gentle. "But we've got this, Grace. Together. Just think, it could have been triplets."
"Then I would really be worried where they will fit." I studied his profile, the strong line of his jaw, the slight curve of his lips that hadn't fully disappeared since the moment Dr. Bates had said the word "twins." Hunter had always wanted a family. I knew this was everything to him.
"I'm going to get so big," I said, imagining my petite frame carrying two babies. "Like, comically large."
Hunter's smile widened. "You're going to be beautiful. You already are."
I snorted, but warmth spread through my chest at his words. "Careful. Your bias is showing."
His hand moved from my knee to capture mine, lacing our fingers together. "It's not bias if it's true."
We pulled into our driveway, and I suddenly remembered the rest of our day. The police station. My statement. Reality came crashing back, dimming my joy.
"I wish we could just stay in this moment," I admitted as Hunter cut the engine. "Just us and our babies. Not have to deal with everything else."
His expression softened with understanding. "I know. But after today, we'll be one step closer to putting all this behind us. It needs to come out what happened."
I nodded, taking a deep breath to steady myself. One more hurdle to clear. Then we could focus on the future—our future, with our babies.
Hunter came around to open my door, helping me out even though I didn't need it. His hand stayed at the small of my back as we headed inside.
"We have about an hour before we need to leave for the station," he said, checking his watch. "Do you want to eat something?"
My stomach churned at the thought of food, anxiety already building. "I'm not hungry."
Hunter frowned. "You need to eat, Grace. For the babies."
He was right, of course. "Maybe just something light? Toast?" I was just worried I was going to be the size of a house.
He nodded, leading me to the kitchen. I settled on a stool at the counter while he moved around, making toast and brewing tea. I watched him, this powerful man who ran a billion-dollar empire, fixing me toast with such careful attention you'd think he was preparing a gourmet meal.
"You're staring," he said without turning around.
"Just admiring the view."
He laughed, a deep, rich sound that never failed to make me smile. "Flattery will get you everywhere."
"I'll remember that."
He placed a plate of buttered toast in front of me, followed by a steaming mug of herbal tea. "Eat."
I took a small bite, more to appease him than from hunger. "Have you talked to Quinn this morning?"
"She'll meet us at the station." He leaned against the counter, watching me with those perceptive eyes. "You're worried."
It wasn't a question. Hunter always saw right through me.
"I'm worried they'll think I was part of it," I admitted, voicing the fear that had been lurking in the back of my mind. "What if they don't believe I didn't know about the eggs? I guessed money had passed hands, but I hadn't known for sure."
Hunter's jaw tightened. "They won't. The diary makes it clear you were kept in the dark. And Quinn won't let them twist things."
"I just..." I set down my toast, my appetite gone. "I'm tired of being dragged through this mess Helena created."
Hunter moved around the counter, turning my stool so I faced him. His hands came up to cup my face, his touch grounding me.
"Look at me," he said softly. I raised my eyes to his. "This is the last piece. After today, we focus on us. On our family. Nothing else matters."
"Promise?" We still had a court case, but it could take months.
"I promise." He sealed it with a gentle kiss. "Now finish your toast."
I managed a few more bites before pushing the plate away. "That's all I can handle right now."
Hunter didn't push, just nodded and took the plate to the sink. "We should leave soon. Traffic might be heavy."
I slid off the stool, my hand automatically going to my still-flat stomach. Two lives growing inside me. The thought still left me breathless.
"I'll go change."
Hunter caught my wrist as I passed him. "Wear something conservative. Nothing too tight."
I raised an eyebrow. "Are you trying to control my wardrobe now?"
His lips quirked. "No. Just playing the game. The media will be there. Don't give them anything to work with."
He had a point. I nodded and headed upstairs, digging through my closet until I found a simple navy blue dress with a high neckline and a modest hemline. The cut was loose enough that it wouldn't cling, but still looked professional.
When I came back downstairs, Hunter was on the phone, his voice low and tense. Business, from the sound of it. He ended the call when he saw me.
"Everything okay?" I asked.
"Just Max being Max." He looked me over, nodding in approval. "Perfect."
"I aim to please," I said dryly.
His expression darkened slightly, eyes flashing with something that made my pulse quicken. "Oh, I know you do."
The memory of our night together, of how he'd taken control, how I'd surrendered, sent heat crawling up my neck. "Behave. We have to leave."
Hunter laughed, the tension breaking. "Later, then."