The Explosion
"Run!" Mattew shouted.
Jack and Pierre pushed the others out first, then charged out themselves. The force of their push sent Alison tumbling to the ground.
"Go, Alison!" Jack's voice rang out.
Immediately after, a deafening boom echoed—the glass house behind them had exploded.
Alison lost consciousness.
In her dazed state, she seemed to hear the voices of her families intertwining around her.
"Mommy, wake up! Grandmas are here to see you. Sophia and I are also here," Ethan said. "Daddy's crying. He looks awful."
The scene before her gradually sharpened, and the figures became distinct.
"Daddy, come quick! Mommy's hand moved!" Ethan's delighted voice rang in her ears.
Alison finally opened her eyes and saw Ethan, Sophia, her mother, and Emmy seated beside them. Her gaze swept across the room and finally settled on Jack.
"Is everyone okay? Jack?" She stared at him.
Jack approached the bedside and took her hand.
"Alison, we're all okay, but..." He hesitated.
That “but” made Alison's heart clench.
"What about Pierre?" she blurted out.
Jack took a deep breath and answered, "He went to handle Matthew's final arrangements."
"He... died?" Alison asked, disbelief in her voice.
"Yes, he shielded Cassandra. The bomb detonated between them...” Jack's voice was low and heavy.
"Huh. I still couldn't bring myself to hate him," she murmured.
Gazing at the azure sky beyond the window, Alison caressed her rounded belly.
A wave of peace washed over her.
This time, no one from Matthew's world would threaten my child.
His death had taken away her nightmare yet left behind a faint, imperceptible ache.
"Does Aidan know about this?" she asked softly.
"Yes."
Alison was momentarily at a loss for words.
"Mom, we're all still alive. That's enough." She offered a faint, relieved smile.
Emily suddenly embraced her mother and Alison, tears streaming freely.
"Pierre gave me the formula for that poison. The rehab center will soon develop a detox plan. Then Rock and I can finally kick the addiction for good. It's just..." she hesitated.
“Just what?” Alison asked anxiously.
"The doctor said it's very unlikely I'll be able to conceive again,"
Emily said, her voice heavy with resignation.
"It's no big deal, Emmy. These days, many couples choose not to have children and enjoy their time together," Rock interjected.
"But I want children..." Emily gazed at Sophia, Ethan, and Alison's rounded bellies, her eyes brimming with longing.
"Once you're clean, maybe fate will smile on you and grant your wish." Lucia chimed in, pushing open the door.
Emily's cheeks flushed. She lowered her head, her fingers twisting together.
Suddenly, deafening firecrackers exploded outside the window.
"Christmas! Mommy, it's Christmas tonight! Let's go home to celebrate!" the children suggested excitedly.
"Great idea!"
——
At Jack's home.
The children ran in and out of the house while the adults chatted or prepared the feast.
As night fell, the dining table was laden with food.
"Daddy, I want to set off fireworks!" Ethan said.
"Daddy still needs to cook. You don't want Grandma and Great-Grandma to eat raw food, do you? Ethan?” Sophia reminded him.
"Fine, then I'll set them off myself."
"Jack, come control your boy! He's running wild! He actually plans to set off fireworks by himself!" Rock watched Ethan from the hall, his eyes brimming with affection.
"Sir, please go set off fireworks with the children. Leave this to Laura and me." The nanny chimed in.
"All right, let's go set off fireworks!" Jack beamed at the room full of people.
The whole group marched out the front door, only two walking hand in hand to the balcony.
"Let's have a wedding for the kids, Daphne," Maxim said.
Daphne nodded softly and asked, "Do you remember the promise you made to me back then?"
"Of course I do," he replied with a smile. "Once the children are married, I'll take you to there. Absolutely.”
“Grandpa, why aren't you and Grandma coming down?” Ethan called up from below the building.
"The fireworks look beautiful from here," Daphne said.
"Mommy, I'm going upstairs! I want to watch fireworks from up there!" Ethan declared, sprinting up the stairs with Sophia close behind.