Page 52 of The Reason for His Wife's Return

Their son, like their stubborn mother, had been a different issue. He had refused to leave his mother’s protective womb, had cried endlessly even after he’d been coaxed out, and when his father named him Eros, he’d screamed his lungs out as if he found the whole thing extremely offensive.

Mira had had to bite the teasing laughter that wanted to pull out of her at the fright in Aristos’s eyes. It had taken them both a day to realize how high-maintenance their son was going to be. Competitive to the bone, Aristos had spent the last few days, after they’d returned to their home, learning to quiet and comfort their son, determined to get it right. It had involved walking endlessly through the house, at all hours of the night with Eros strapped to his chest. Driving their son, strapped in his car seat, around the estate until he fell asleep.

And Aristos had won too, for Eros had napped this afternoon for a whole two hours, which meant Mira had been able to cuddle Eira as much as she wanted.

Mira cast one look at the double bassinets in a corner of their bedroom. When she’d put forth her proposal about not using a nanny during the nights and that she’d try co-sleeping with each of her babies on alternate days, she’d expected a fight on her hands. Instead, within minutes, Aristos had ordered another set of bassinets to be arranged in the adjoining bedroom, in case one of the babies woke up and disturbed the other.

So far, it hadn’t been easy but with her sisters and Stella and Tia Sophia giving them breaks during the day, she and Aristos had managed okay.

When her silent phone flashed another text from her impatient husband, Mira ran her knuckle down both the babies’ cheeks and went in search of him.

She found him sitting at the cozy dining table in the nook. Light from the tall candles on the table cast flickering shadows onto his face. His stark beauty stole her breath all over again. But it was the wicked light in those gray eyes and the wide smile digging grooves around his mouth that made her heart beat faster.

“What’s this?” she said, reaching him, glad that she’d taken the time to shower and blow-dry her hair.

“We haven’t spent an hour together in the last month. I adore our babies but I miss you more,yineka mou.”

And just like that he stole her heart all over again.

“I know you won’t be comfortable leaving for someplace else, but Stella and Yana have promised to look after Eira and Eros for three hours.” He raised a hand, grinning. “Under Tia Sophia’s watchful eye.”

When she smiled, God, he knew her so well and he loved her even better, he whispered in a gruff voice, “Come, take pity on your husband,agapi mou. He’s been parched for you.”

Shaking her head at his antics, Mira passed the chair he’d pulled out for her and settled herself on his lap instead.

“I missed you too. And I love you, Aristos, so much that I...” Her throat closed up.

Clasping her cheeks with gentle hands, he simply said, “I know,agapi,” and then proceeded to kiss the hell out of her.

Mira sank into the kiss, remembering Thaata’s note. She didn’t know or care if she was the queen or not, but she had a kingdom all right.

Full of love and happiness.