Chapter 233 THE END.

Chapter 233 THE END.


AXEL’S POV:

The sky had begun to get extremely day only illuminated by stars and the lanterns, but our day—our moment—still shimmered in full glory. The music was soft now, guests rising to mingle under string lights and glowing candles, waves whispering their rhythm as the reception began. They enjoyed their meals.

Avery leaned into me as we walked toward the long table under the palms, her belly nestled against my side, her laugh sleepy, warm.

“I still can’t believe you tricked me into getting married today,” she teased, tugging at my hand.

“You cried.”

“I did not.”

“You did. Sea has a recording.”

“Ugh. You’re lucky I love you, Axel Grayson—”

Then she froze.

Her eyes widened.

A hand flew to her belly.

“…No,” she breathed. “No, no, no, not today.”

I turned to her, gripping her arms. “What is it? Avery?”

She gritted her teeth, the next breath sharp and shallow. “My water just broke.”

My world tilted. “What?”

She grabbed my collar. “You did this! With your surprise wedding and your vows and your glowing skin! You scared the baby out of me!”

And then she groaned. Loudly.

Oh shit.

“Katie!” I shouted, scooping Avery into my arms.

“I’m fine!” she shrieked. “Put me down—”

“You’re not walking through contractions, Avery!”

“Men,” she muttered under her breath, clinging to me anyway as another sharp pain ripped through her.

Thaddeus, Ryan, Wilder and Kaius were already on their feet. The reception turned into ordered chaos. Sea was scooped up by Serena as we ran toward the vehicles. An emergency team was already being called, but I wasn’t waiting.

By the time we reached Orion’s hospital, Avery was writhing on the stretcher, cursing my existence between every breath.

“I’m never letting you near me again.”

“I love you too, sweetheart.”

“I mean it, Axel. You and your surprise proposals!”

“Still worth it,” I said, brushing damp hair from her face as the nurses wheeled us into the delivery room.



She was a storm. A woman made of divine fire and unbearable strength.

I held her hand—though at this point, it felt more like I was offering it as a sacrifice. She dug her nails into me, growling through her teeth.

“You owe me diamonds.”

“You’ll get the mine.”

Another wave hit, and she cried out, body arching as sweat poured down her temple. “Make it stop—Axel—I can’t—”

“Yes, you can.” I kissed her forehead. “You’ve fought gods, baby. You can do this. I’m right here. Every second. With you.”

A nurse checked her again. “It’s time. He’s coming. One more push!”

Avery shook, tears leaking down her cheeks. “I’m scared.”

I cupped her face. “Then let’s be scared together.”

She screamed—roared—and bore down with everything she had.

And then—

A wail.

Bright. Alive.

The whole room stilled for half a second as the doctor lifted him into the air.

“You did it,” I whispered, choking. “Avery, look.”

He was perfect. Red, tiny, slippery, and angry at the cold—but perfect. A head full of two-toned  curls of black and red hair, his fists clenched tight as if ready to fight the world.

Our son.

Our world that survived the unthinkable.

The nurse placed him on her chest, and she broke completely. Her hands trembled as she cradled him, sobbing so hard I thought her soul might leave her body. “You’re here… Oh my God, you’re here."

I pressed my forehead to hers. Our tears mingled.

“Thank you,” I whispered, kissing her over and over. “Thank you. For him. For everything.”



The room had gone quiet.

Avery was asleep, his tiny form curled against her chest, bundled in the softest blanket Orion could offer. I held his little hand, it barely wrapped around my finger.

He yawned, blinked once… and smiled.

The door creaked open.

“Can I come in?” Sea peeked in, her voice shy.

“Yeah, baby. Come here.”

She tiptoed in with Wilder behind her and climbed onto the bed gently, wide-eyed.

“That’s him?” she whispered.

“That’s your baby brother.”

Her eyes welled up. “He’s small.”

“You were small too once,” I chuckled.

She looked up at me, then leaned down and kissed his cheek. “Hi. I’m Sea. I’m going to teach you everything. And don’t worry—Mom and Dad are superheroes.”

Avery stirred, smiling weakly. “He already knows.”

Wilder kissed her forehead and whispered something only she heard.

I leaned against the bed, brushing my fingers along my son’s head, the woman I loved breathing steady beside him, our daughter humming lullabies under her breath.

We’d walked through hell.

We’d battled gods.

We’d burned in fire.

And now… we were home.



AVERY’S POV:

Six months later...

It had been six months.

Six months since the fire, the vows, the screams, the birth.

And the peace.

The kind that didn’t come from silence… but from survival.

I sat on the porch swing of our new home in Maryland, wrapped in a soft shawl—the kind Kaius had gifted us before leaving for Orion. The wind carried the scent of freshly mowed grass and sea salt from the little fountain Axel had insisted on installing just because I once said I liked the sound.

The soft whirr of laughter had risen from the backyard. Sea had been chasing bubbles, her high-pitched giggles ringing into the dusk while Wilder and Axel manned the grill, arguing over who was doing it wrong. Spoiler: they both were.

And in my arms, my son—Bloom Orion Grayson—had rested, nestled against my chest.

He had been sleeping then, lips parted, tiny breaths escaping him like whispers from heaven. He had looked like Axel when he dreamed—forehead slightly furrowed, like he was already trying to solve the world.

I had stroked his cheek gently. “You’re not going to have to fight like we did, little prince,” I had whispered. “We already bled for your peace.”

A door had creaked, and Katie had stepped out with fresh lemonade, setting it beside me.

“Are you going to cry again?” she had asked, smiling knowingly.

I had laughed softly. “Shut up and sit down.”

She had. We had sat there like two tired queens, watching our world be okay. For once, no shadows. No magic. Just grilled corn, spilled juice, and Sea screaming about a frog she swore had kissed her on the ankle.

Kaius had written us often. Orion had been thriving. The people were free. The past, buried under sacred soil.

Ryan? He had bought a house two streets down. He had joined Axel at the office, running AXEVY SEA STUFFY like a pro, while Ashley had been prepping for a sabbatical around Europe. Serena had sworn she’d join her. Thaddeus had said “over his dead body,” and I had believed him.

And us?

Axel and I had grown soft. Softer than we ever knew we could be. Not weak. Not lesser. Just… healed. Loving deeper. Talking more. Laughing harder.

I had glanced down at Bloom again, at the birthmark shaped like a tiny flame on his ankle.

He had stirred.

Axel had appeared beside me, crouching.

“Mind if I steal my son?”

I had handed Bloom to him, brushing Axel’s beard with my fingertips. “He’s all yours.”

“I was talking about you too.”

I had smiled. “Smooth.”

We had kissed.

Behind us, Sea had shrieked, “DAD! THE CHICKEN’S ON FIRE!”

“Wilder’s fault,” Axel had said instantly.

And just like that, he had been gone again, sprinting across the yard with our son in his arms and a trail of laughter behind him.

I had watched them. My chaos. My home. My heaven.

My everything.

And I had whispered, to the wind, to my grandmother’s spirit, to my parents' spirit, Baron, and everyone I had lost:

“We made it.”

THE VERY BEAUTIFUL END!!!



ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

I'm overwhelmed with gratitude as I sit down to write these words. Your support, love, and acceptance mean the world to me. By choosing to read my book, you've not only given me the courage to share my story but have also embraced my imperfections and vulnerabilities as a writer.

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I LOVE each and every one of you. Your support breathed life into my story, transforming a mere crazy idea into a living, breathing entity. Thank you for being the wind beneath my wings.

With deepest gratitude and love, I'm forever grateful,

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