Chapter 162: So, You Want Babies, Miss Gray?

Chapter 162: So, You Want Babies, Miss Gray?
Luna's POV

Gabriel and I strolled into Vale Hospital, his hand gripping mine like he was afraid I'd slip away. I watched as one of his security guys handed him a fresh bouquet—peonies and lilies, their sweet scent already filling the air.

As we neared Mom's room, Gabriel gave my hand a quick, reassuring squeeze. "You ready for this?"

I nodded, and we stepped inside. Mom was by the window, humming softly while trimming flowers in a vase.

"Mom!" I called out, excitement bubbling up.

She spun around, her face lighting up like the sun. "Luna!" She ditched the scissors and rushed over, arms wide open.

Gabriel stepped up, offering the bouquet with a warm smile. "Brenda, how've you been feeling? Any better?"

Mom took the flowers, inhaling deeply with a delighted grin. "I'm all good now! Check this out—" She motioned to her comfy tracksuit. "No more hospital gowns. If you'd waited any longer, I'd be out of here already!"

She waved us over to the little sitting area. "Come on, have a seat. Was the drive bad?"

"About half an hour," Gabriel said, his hand still resting protectively on the small of my back.

"That's a haul! I've been telling Luna to focus on work instead of dropping by so much. I was worried my ups and downs might drag her down, but hey, that's all in the rearview now."

Mom started pouring water for us, but I jumped in. "Mom, you two chat. I've got this."

She handed it over with a thankful smile and turned back to Gabriel. "So, does your family know you two are back together?"

"Yeah," he nodded politely. "Brenda, I get your concerns. I promise I'll handle everything right this time. Luna won't have to deal with any BS."

"That's a relief," Mom said, her shoulders visibly relaxing.

I set the glasses on the coffee table and plopped down next to Gabriel. Glancing at Mom across from us, a pang of guilt hit me—like I was picking my boyfriend over her. I started to get up to switch sides.

Mom chuckled softly. "Stay put, honey. It's fine. You two have been through hell and back. I'm just thrilled you're giving it another shot."

We settled into easy chit-chat, catching up on everything. It felt so normal—like a regular family hangout on a lazy Sunday.

Then, all of a sudden, noise erupted outside the door. Gabriel was on his feet in a flash. "I'll check it out."

He cracked the door, and I heard a familiar voice—Shane Devon, Oliver's dad, arguing with security.

"Brenda! Just let me explain!" he yelled, sounding desperate.

Gabriel's tone stayed cool but firm. "Mr. Devon, this is a hospital. Keep it down."

Shane's eyes bugged out when he recognized him. "Gabriel! You're buddies with Oliver, right? Help a guy out!"

"Brenda and I had a mix-up. I just need to clear the air with her. Please," he begged.

Gabriel glanced back at Mom, who let out a heavy sigh. "He's been relentless. Let him in."

Shane barreled past, looking like he hadn't slept in days, his eyes locked on Mom with raw desperation.

Her voice turned ice-cold. "I know all about you and Isabella now. I don't get why you're still harassing me, Mr. Devon. You should be ashamed of what you did!"

Shane looked totally baffled. "I never hid anything on purpose. I was just embarrassed about the whole mess—that's why I kept quiet. But when she went after my son, I had to step in!"

Mom let out a bitter laugh. "You drugged a young woman and tried to assault her. You're disgusting! Get the hell out of my life!"

Shane's jaw dropped. "What are you talking about?"

Something felt way off. "Mom, I think there might be a huge misunderstanding here."

Shane latched onto that like a lifeline. "Yes! You've got it all wrong!"

"Mr. Devon," I said carefully, "the misunderstanding we're talking about might not be what you think. Isabella was drugged at that party. When you came into your room and started undressing, she figured you were the one who set her up."

Shane went pale as a ghost. "I—I was in my own damn room, about to hop in the shower! How was I supposed to know there'd be a woman in my bed? And my sister, no less—well, not by blood, but still!"

"So this whole thing was just one big screw-up?" Mom asked, incredulous.

"Damn right it was!" Shane insisted. "Isabella was way younger than me! I never had any creepy thoughts about her. If anyone did, it was that creep Reed who was obsessed with her!"

"That tracks," I said, the pieces finally clicking. "Reed must've been pulling the strings. What a sick bastard, targeting his own sister!"

I couldn't believe how soap-opera ridiculous this all was. "Maybe we should call Isabella so you two can hash this out once and for all?"

---

Not long after, Isabella showed up. The tension was thick as thieves as she and Shane faced off—two people who'd hated each other's guts for almost a decade, only to realize they were both innocent victims.

Shane broke the ice first. "I'm sorry for judging you all these years and being such a jerk. It was wrong."

Isabella shook her head, her voice soft with regret. "No, I'm the one who should apologize..."

She explained how, at twenty, she'd been too scared and confused to tell anyone, let alone go to the cops. The mix-up had festered for years, with neither of them having the guts to talk it out.

Mom pulled them into a group hug. "You two just needed to communicate! All that time wasted over something a simple conversation could've fixed."

Watching them shake hands, a wave of relief hit me too. It was cathartic seeing an old scar finally start to heal.

"Shane," I said cautiously, "does this mean you'd be okay with Isabella and Oliver now?"

Shane sighed, looking genuinely sorry. "That's not up to me anymore. The kid's so damn stubborn—he bolted to London just to piss me off. I can't rein him in."

"He went to London for Isabella," I reminded him gently.

Shane threw his hands up. "That bullheaded boy! Well, now that it's all cleared up, he can come home!"

Gabriel jumped in smoothly. "Actually, sir, I think some time abroad could do Oliver good. Build his experience for when he takes over Devon Enterprises. What do you say?"

Shane mulled it over, then nodded eagerly. "You're spot on! The kid needs some tough love. Gabriel, don't go easy—load him up with work!"

"Of course," Gabriel said, his poker face flawless.

I bit my lip to stifle a laugh. That sneaky son of a bitch. Oliver was gonna be grinding away in London on Gabriel's grunt work, clueless that his dad had already signed off on everything.

The vibe shifted when Shane turned to Isabella. "So, is this pregnancy for real?"

She nodded. "Yeah. The doc flagged some stuff at my last checkup, so I'm going back next week. Once I know it's all good, I'll tell Oliver myself."

Shane looked shell-shocked. "Grandpa already? Never saw that coming."

Mom elbowed me and whispered, "So, when are you two gonna...?"

"Mom!" I hissed, my cheeks flaming.

That night, back home, Mom's question kept nagging at me. After my shower, I slipped into bed and watched Gabriel towel off his hair by the dresser.

"You know," I said casually, "those birth control pills of yours seem pretty damn effective."

We'd been together forever, and not once had I gotten pregnant.

Gabriel paused, eyeing me curiously. "Something wrong?"

I shook my head. "Nah, just saying."

In a blur, he ditched the towel and pounced, pinning me to the mattress. His damp hair fell over his forehead as he stared down with those intense eyes that always made my pulse race.

"Thinking about making a baby, Miss Gray?" he murmured, his voice low and teasingly dangerous.