Chapter 56 56
STEVE POV
I watched them from the doorway—Freya, kneeling on the floor, and Luna, wrapped tightly in her arms. Seeing them like that always gives me these feelings I can't explain..
I know I’m going crazy and obsessed with everything about "my wife."
"My wife."
My lips have been dying to pronounce that. Just saying the words in my head felt like claiming a territory I never intended to leave. But I stayed back, keeping the words locked in my head for one reason.
The only thing holding me back is Luna. In as much as Freya hasn’t explained to her about having a new dad, then I won’t confuse her. I have to be patient. I don't just want to be in her life; I want to win her heart.
I leaned against the wall, watching them. Did I care about Mark’s loss? No. He should try again in his next life, because in this one, he’s already dead to us.
I knew Freya had to be exhausted after our session upstairs, but I watched her pull it together. She had that motherly instinct, a mask she wore to stay strong for Luna. She had slipped into a simple dress, her movements slightly slower than usual, but she kept a smile on her face.
I stepped out to meet them, Ben noticed me first, his eyes shifting from the stove to me with a knowing look. Then Freya and Luna looked up. Freya’s face did look refreshed—the "glow" was undeniable—but I could see the weakness
“She looks weak and tired”
"What are we having for breakfast?" I asked Ben, my voice steady.
"Uncle Hulk!" Luna shouted.
She let go of Freya and ran straight toward me. There's this thing that happened every time she was near me, my heart did this uncomfortable, tight flutter I wasn't used to.
“Little Fighter”
I reached down and hoisted her up into my arms.
"So, what does the little fighter want for breakfast?" I asked, looking into her bright eyes.
"Chocolate pancakes with extra syrup!" she cheered.
I smiled at her, but internally, I knew Freya needed something more substantial than sugar. She had lost too much energy, so the chocolate Pancake Luna said is definitely not for her.
"Okay, pancakes it is," I said to Luna, then turned my gaze to Ben.
I switched to German language to speak to Ben
"Prepare the pancakes for the girl. But for Freya and me, prepare steak and eggs. And make sure to include an immune booster in our drinks. She needs her strength."
Ben bowed slightly, acknowledging the order, and got back to work.
"Shall we head to the dining room, flower?" I asked Luna.
She nodded eagerly. "Yes!"
As we walked toward the table, I lagged back just enough to reach out and grabbed Freya’s hand from behind, my fingers lacing firmly through hers. She startled for a split second before her hand relaxed into mine
We sat at the dining table. Luna sat in her high chair, kicking her legs and humming while she waited for her food. Under the table, I kept my hand on Freya’s. My thumb moved slowly over her knuckles. I could feel her fingers shaking just a little. The morning had been hard on her body, and she was starting to feel it.
"Here we go," Ben said. He put a plate of hot pancakes with lots of syrup in front of Luna.
"Yay! Thank you, Uncle Ben!" she said and started eating right away.
Ben then set down two big plates for Freya and me. It was thick steak, cooked rare, and eggs. He also gave us two glasses of dark juice filled with vitamins. Freya looked at the meat, then at me. Her eyebrows went up.
"I didn't think I was that hungry," she whispered.
"Eat," I said. My voice was firm. "You had a busy morning. And you will need your energy for tomorrow's party."
"The party," she said softly. She looked at Luna quickly.
"Mommy, are you going to a party?" Luna asked with her mouth full.
Freya sat up straight. Her "mommy face" was back on. "Yes, baby. Just a small party. Uncle Ben is going to stay here and play with you, okay?"
"Can we play hide and seek?" Luna asked Ben.
"Only if you don't hide in the laundry again," Ben joked. He rubbed her hair.
I watched Freya take a bite of the steak. I saw her eyes close for a second as she ate. She really needed the protein.
After the meal, I had one goal: get Freya to bed. She was exhausted, even if she was trying to hide it. But for her to truly rest, Luna had to be somewhere else. Freya wouldn't sleep a wink if she thought she needed to be "Mommy" right now.
I caught Ben’s eye and switched back to German. My voice was low and carried a sharp edge of authority.
"After this, find a way to trick Freya back to her room. Do it without the girl noticing. Tell her I insisted she rest and that I am handling Luna. If she argues or tries to come back out, lock the door. She needs sleep, whether she wants it or not."
Ben didn't blink. He just gave a small, loyal nod. People saw a chef, but I saw one of my best former field agents. Before he went to cooking school, Ben was one of my top spies. He knew exactly how to handle a target.
A few minutes later, Ben walked over and whispered something directly into Freya’s ear. I watched her expression shift. She looked shocked, then immediately glanced at me with a guilty expression, clearly thinking Ben was telling her a secret I wasn't supposed to know. That was Ben’s talent—making a command feel like a conspiracy.
She stood up quietly and followed him out of the room.
Within minutes, she’d be tucked away in her room, and if she tried to be difficult, Ben would make sure that the electronic lock stayed red.
I turned my attention to the little girl still happily picking at the last of her pancakes. Now I had to keep her busy.
“Hey, flower,” I said, leaning toward her.
Luna looked up, her face sticky with syrup. “Yes, Uncle Hulk?”
I thought about what a kid her age would actually find interesting. Most people would suggest a dollhouse or a cartoon, but I wanted her outside, because I can’t sit down watching a big head - small ass Cartoon with her.
“How about we go on a bike ride?”
Her eyes went wide, sparkling with excitement. “A bike ride? Really? But I don’t have a bike!”
I smiled, the kind of smile that usually meant I had already solved the problem before it was asked. “You’d be surprised what Uncle Hulk has hidden in the garage. Go get your shoes. We’re going to see how fast you can pedal.”
She let out a squeal of joy and scrambled down from her chair, racing toward the hallway. I watched her go, feeling that strange tug in my chest again.
Can’t wait to call you “Mine”
“My daughter”