Page 152 of Chains of Recompense
I nod, even though my heart starts racing.
He steps forward first, because of course he does. He’s learned how to command a room without raising his voice, how to make people lean in rather than shrink back. “We wanted to thank you all for coming today,” he says. “And for… everything. The last few months have been chaos. But somehow, out of all of it, we ended up here.” His thumb strokes the back of my hand, slow and reassuring. “Aisling and I are very happy to announce that we’re expecting.”
There’s a beat of stunned silence.
Then the room erupts.
My mother lets out a delighted cry and rushes forward, my father and siblings right behind her.
Evi laughs outright, joy brimming from her eyes as Sandro’s lips curve into a secretive smile—like he knew all along.
Miko raises his glass in a sharp, approving salute.
Leo mutters something that sounds suspiciously like a prayer of thanks while Gio whoops and claps Raf on the back hard enough to make him grunt.
I barely have time to breathe before Raf lifts his hand again.
“And,” he adds, a dangerous glint of amusement in his eyes, “there’s more.”
The room quiets again.
I swallow, then step forward myself this time. “We’re not expecting just one.”
Confusion ripples through the crowd.
“Or two,” I continue, my voice shaking with excitement now despite myself.
Realization dawns in slow motion.
“We’re having triplets,” Raf finishes.
The reaction is glorious.
My mother actually sits down. My father stares at us like he’s just been told he won the lottery twice. Sandro looks torn between laughter and sheer disbelief, finally caught on his back foot by our announcement.
My brothers look like they’re on the brink of having a meltdown, while Siobhan claps her hands over her mouth to muffle the unladylike squeal that escapes her.
“Triplets,” Sandro repeats faintly. “Always trying to show me up, aren’t you, brother?”
Raf laughs, pulling me into his side. “We’re just making up for lost time.”
The congratulations come in a wave—hugs, hands pressed to my belly, teasing comments about needing a bigger house, promises of help that already feel overwhelming and wonderful all at once. I watch it all from the center of the storm, feeling strangely peaceful.
This is our life now.
When the excitement settles into something more manageable, the room fractures into clusters again.
People eat, talk, laugh. Sora and Anika’s babies join the discussion with garbled nonsense as Riley and Stephanie and Gio’s son, Jackson, get better acquainted over LEGOs.
I find myself watching Raf from across the room, the way he listens when Leo speaks, the way he checks in with Sandro without even looking, the way his posture shifts when Riley climbs into his lap.
She’s been bouncing with energy all day, thrilled by the idea of cousins and siblings and grandparents who spoil her rotten.
By the time evening creeps in, she’s drooping, her head heavy against Raf’s chest, which seems to be her new favorite location.
“I’ve got her,” he says quietly when he catches my eye.
I nod, suddenly emotional.
