The Brightest Stars ✨

Chapter 43

Natalia sat in the nursery, gently rocking Nicole in her arms. The soft hum of the lullaby playing in the background was a soothing contrast to the whirlwind of emotions that had been swirling inside her since Nicole's birth. Motherhood was nothing like she had imagined. It was more exhausting, more overwhelming, and yet, more beautiful than anything she had ever experienced.

The early weeks had been a blur of sleepless nights, feedings, and an endless cycle of diaper changes. She had felt so unprepared, despite all the books she had read and the advice she had received. But no one had told her about the guilt—the deep, gnawing guilt that came when her milk didn't come in as expected, or when she was too exhausted to hold Nicole for one more minute.

And then there was the C-section. It had been necessary, of course, but recovering from major surgery while trying to care for a newborn was one of the hardest things she had ever done. There were moments when she felt like she was failing, like she wasn't enough.

But through it all, Gabe had been there. He had stepped into the role of father with such grace and dedication, caring for Nicole when Natalia couldn't, and supporting her in ways she hadn't even realised she needed. He had been her rock, her safe harbour in the storm of early motherhood.

She looked down at Nicole, who was now fast asleep in her arms, her tiny face serene and peaceful. The weight of her daughter in her arms was a comforting reminder of how far they had come. Despite everything, they had made it through together.

Her thoughts drifted back to her own family, particularly her mother. Natalia's relationship with her mother had been strained, to say the least. When her twin brother, Nicholas, took his life after years of struggling with his sexuality, her mother had blamed her.

That day, the tenuous threads of their bond had snapped. They had been estranged since Natalia was 21. The wound was deep, and every now and then, something would reopen it, flooding her with a pain she thought she had buried.

The most recent blow had come during her pregnancy. When her mother turned up at Amber's baby shower in Texas—a baby shower Natalia had invited herself to after running into Amber at the mall—it had sent shockwaves through her. The shock had been too much, exacerbating her pre-eclampsia, and sending her into a spiral that led to her hospitalisation. She had never felt so betrayed, so blindsided. Ashley had been there, too. Her brother, whom she once considered close, had not even told her they were in town. The hurt was deep, and while time had dulled it, the scar remained.

Yet, as she looked down at Nicole, she felt a surge of resolve. She didn't want her daughter to grow up in a family fractured by old wounds. She wanted to create a different legacy for Nicole, one filled with love, forgiveness, and understanding. She wasn't ready to forgive her mother or Ashley just yet, but she was willing to try—to open the door, even if just a crack, to the possibility of healing.

Her mind wandered to Lima, who had been staying in Texas to help out. Lima had been a constant source of support, bringing humour and light into the most challenging days of her recovery. Natalia had always been close to Lima, but the past months had deepened their bond further, if that was even possible.

"Hey, Mama," Gabe's voice broke through her reverie, and she looked up to see him standing in the doorway, a soft smile on his gorgeous face. Gabe was gorgeous all year round but fatherhood had made him especially delicious. Now that her hormones had somewhat settled she was starting to understand how people put themselves through multiple pregnancies. "How are my girls doing?"

"We're good," Natalia replied, her voice thick with emotion. "Just...thinking."

Gabe crossed the room in a few strides, gently taking Nicole from her arms and placing her in the crib. He then pulled Natalia into a warm embrace, his hand running soothingly over her hair.