Chapter170 Nova: My parents are getting married!
Aliya POV
Nova looked at me with confused eyes, still trying to process what Nikolai had just said. I met her gaze and nodded gently, giving her permission.
Her face lit up immediately. Without hesitation, Nova opened her small arms wide and threw them around Nikolai's neck.
"Daddy!" she said sweetly, the word clear and joyful.
Nikolai hadn't expected Nova to accept him so quickly. He wrapped his strong arms around her tiny frame, holding her close against his chest. I was surprised to see that Nikolai's eyes had actually reddened with emotion.
It occurred to me that I might have been too selfish before, almost cutting off their father-daughter bond. I couldn’t help but reflect on it.
I turned and walked toward the door.
But as soon as I got outside the door, I saw Beta Anton approaching with several people in business suits. They were carrying dozens of shopping bags and boxes from what looked like expensive children's stores.
"Good morning, Ms. Aliya," Anton said politely, stopping when he saw me. "May we come in?"
"Of course," I said, stepping aside.
Anton and the store representatives filed into Nova's room, their arms full of gifts. Nova's eyes went wide when she saw all the packages.
"Are all these for me?" she asked excitedly.
"Every single one," Nikolai said, his voice warm as he started opening boxes. "Do you like dolls? And books? And pretty dresses?"
Nova clapped her hands together. "I love everything! Daddy, you're the best!"
As Nikolai showed Nova each gift, she peppered him with questions in that rapid-fire way that only three-year-olds can manage.
"Daddy, am I your only kid?" Nova asked, hugging a stuffed unicorn.
"Yes, sweetheart. You're my one and only daughter."
"Do you love Mommy a lot?"
Nikolai glanced at me over Nova's head, "I love Mommy very much."
"Are you gonna marry Mommy?"
"Nova," I started, but she wasn't done.
"When are you and Mommy gonna live together? My friends' mommies and daddies all live together."
Nikolai's smile grew wider. "That's a very good question, Nova. Mommy, when are we going to live together?"
"Nova, that's enough questions for now," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
"But I want to know!" Nova protested.
Anton cleared his throat awkwardly. The store representatives looked like they wished they were anywhere else.
"Perhaps we should let you have some family time," Anton said diplomatically. "We'll just leave these gifts here."
"Thank you, Anton," Nikolai said. "Send the bills to my office."
After Anton and the others left, I thought the interrogation was over. But I was wrong.
"Mommy," Nova said, turning those big blue eyes on me. "Why won't you answer? Don't you want to live with Daddy?"
Before I could respond, I heard familiar voices in the hallway. My parents appeared in the doorway, looking worried and slightly out of breath.
"Nova, sweetheart!" my mother exclaimed, rushing to the bed. "How are you feeling? We came as soon as we heard what happened."
"Grandma! Grandpa!" Nova said happily. "Look, this is my daddy!"
She pointed proudly at Nikolai, who stood up respectfully when my parents entered the room.
"Nova," he said carefully, "this is the Alpha King."
"I know!" Nova said. "But he's also my daddy. Mommy told me so."
I saw my father's eyebrows shoot up to his hairline. He gave me a look that said we would definitely be having a conversation later. I forced a smile and tried to look like this was all perfectly normal.
"And guess what else, Grandpa?" Nova continued, completely oblivious to the tension in the room. "Mommy and Daddy are gonna live together now! Just like all the other mommies and daddies!"
I saw Nikolai bite back a smile, looking pleased with Nova's announcement.
"Is that so?" my mother asked, glancing between Nikolai and me with raised eyebrows.
"Nova's just excited," I said quickly. "She's been through a lot, and she's not thinking clearly."
"I am thinking clearly!" Nova protested. "Daddy loves Mommy, and Mommy loves Daddy, so they should live together. That's what families do."
"Very smart girl," Nikolai said quietly, just loud enough for me to hear.
I felt my face burning with embarrassment. "Nova, you need to rest. The doctor said you shouldn't get too excited."
"But I'm not tired," Nova said. "I want to talk to Daddy more. And I want to know when you're getting married."
"Married?" my father choked out.
This was getting out of hand.
"I think I need some air," I said, backing toward the door. "I'll just... I'll be right back."
I practically fled from the room, my cheeks still burning. The hallway felt cooler, and I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart.
I turned the corner, looking for a quiet place to collect my thoughts, and nearly ran straight into Patrick.