<b>Book </b>2 Hattrick
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“Franklin Alexander Mitchell–Volkov,” Emma announced, cing the sleeping newborn in his great–grandfather’s arms. “Meet your namesake.”
Franklin, propped against pillows in his home hospital bed, blinked rapidly <i>to </i>dispel unexpected tears. “Handsome devil,” he dered gruffly. “Strong Mitchell chin.”
“Volkov eyes,” Alek countered with a smile, standing protectively beside Emma, who was still moving carefully two weeks after her C–section.
“Perfectbination,” Emmapromised, easing into the chair beside Franklin’s bed. “Just
like his sister.”
As if hearing her name, three–month–old Charlotte stirred in the portable bass nearby. The nursery staff–expanded to amodate two infants–had ced it where Franklin could see both great–grandchildren during his good periods.
His recovery from the cardiac event had been slower than previous episodes, his good days now bnced with concerning setbacks. But he’d rallied determinedly as Emma’s pregnancy reached its critical final weeks, insisting he felt stronger despite medical evidence suggesting otherwise.
“I’m not missing this one’s arrival either,” he’d dered when Emma’s blood pressure had spiked dangerously at thirty–six weeks, prompting her doctor to schedule an immediate
C–section.
True to his word, Franklin had been wheeled to the maternity ward’s waiting room during the procedure, refusing to return to his room until Alek brought news of a healthy delivery.
“Frankie has your nose,” Emma observed, using the nickname they’d already adopted to distinguish son from great–grandfather.
“Poor child,” Franklin quipped, though his expression remained tender as he studied the
newborn’s features.
The door opened as Katie entered with Charlotte’s diaper bag. “Form’s in the side pocket,” she exined to the nurse following her. “She usually takes four ounces now.”
Their unusual family arrangement had evolved into afortable rhythm. Katie visited several times weekly, helping with Charlotte while forming a genuine friendship with Emma that transcended their surrogate rtionship. Her own children had be regr visitors, fascinated by the babies they considered extended family.
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“How’s our boy today?” Katie asked,ing to coo over Frankie.
“Hungry and determined,” Emma reported. “Just like his great–grandfather.”
Franklin harrumphed, but his pleasure at theparison was evident.
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“The pediatrician says he’s gaining weight perfectly,” Alek added, his initial new–father anxiety gradually easing as both infants thrived.
Katie checked her watch. “I should head out–Taylor has ser practice. Need anything before I go?”
“We’re good,” Emma assured her. “Tim stilling for dinner tomorrow?”
“Wouldn’t miss it,” Katie confirmed. “The kids made cards for Frankie’s homing.”
After she departed, Franklin handed the baby carefully back to Emma, his movements slower than even a week before. “You’ve built quite the unconventional family,” he observed.
“Learned from the best,” Emma replied, adjusting Frankie against her shoulder. “You never cared much for convention either.”
Franklin smiled tiredly. “True enough.”
Alek’s phone chimed with a message that made his expression tighten.
“What is it?” Emma asked immediately.
“Jack Reynolds,” Alek replied, reading the screen. “Car ident in Seattle. Nothing life–threatening, but he’s hospitalized.”
Emma frowned. “That’s terrible. Is Veronica with him?”
“Apparently in Mn <i>for </i>a shoot,” Alek continued reading. “He’s listed you as his emergency
contact after her.”
“Me?” Emma’s surprise was genuine. “Why would he-
“You were married eight years,” Franklin reminded her. “Some connections don’t disappear entirely, despite circumstances.”
Emma considered <b>this</b>, feeling Alek’s eyes on her face. “We should send flowers,” she decided. “And check if he needs anything for his son.”
“I’ll handle it,” Alek offered, his tone carefully neutral.
The moment highlighted how far they’de in their rtionship. Months ago, Jack’s
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ident might have triggered jealousy or suspicion in Alek. Now, secure in their family and future, he could respond withpassion rather thanpetition.
As Franklin dozed off, Emma and Alek retreated to the nursery where both infants now slept, a remarkable sight that still overwhelmed them at times.
“Did you ever imagine this?” Emma whispered, gazing at the two cribs. “A few years ago, I
mean.”
“Two babies within three months?” Alek shook his head. “Never. But I always imagined us building something extraordinary together.”
Emma leaned against him, grateful for his strength as her body continued healing. “A hat trick,” she murmured.
“What’s that?”
“In hockey, three goals by the same yer is a hat trick,” she exined. “We’ve scored three remarkable goals–Charlotte, Frankie, and us finding our way through it all.”
Alek’s arm tightened around her waist. “Four goals, including your grandfather’s recovery.” <fn7fd3> This content belongs to Find[?]ovel</fn7fd3>
“That one’s still in y,” Emma said quietly. “The doctors aren’t optimistic about long–term improvement.”
“He’s ousted medical predictions before,” Alek reminded her. “And he has powerful motivation now.” He nodded toward the sleeping infants.
Emma nodded, allowing herself hope despite the realistic concerns. Whatever came next, they would face it together–their unconventional, expanding family supporting each other through victories <i>and </i>setbacks alike.
The quiet moment was interrupted by her phone buzzing with a hospital notification. Jack’s ident details, forwarded from Veronica’s assistant with a request for Emma to check on him until Veronica could return from Europe.
Emma stared at the screen, an unexpectedplication in their alreadyplex life. “I should go,” she said, showing Alek the message. “Just briefly, to make sure he’s alright.”
Alek studied her face, then nodded. “Of course. Family obligationse first, then we’ll handle this together.”
The understanding in his voice–recognition that their lives would always include unexpected connections andplications–reinforced Emma’s certainty that whatever challenges awaited, they had built the foundation to withstand them.
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Like a perfect hat trick in hockey, their family’s creation hadn’t been a single achievement but a progression of connected victories, each building on thest to create something extraordinary.
<b>3 </b>