Shattered Heart (Red Queen)

Chapter Twenty

•Shade POV•
When I looked upon my son's face for the first time, I fell in love with Farley all over again. She carried him for 9 months and we both created this beautiful baby. My love for him grows stronger and stronger with every minute that passes by. I will protect him from everything in this world and he will not be harmed by this war.
"He's very handsome," Mare says at my side.
I put my arm around her shoulder and say, "Just like his father."
"I'll let you spend time with your family then," she says and walks out of the room and into Cal's arms.
Family. That one word has such a big meaning. I have a little family of my own now.
"What should we name him?" Farley asks me.
"Hmmm... something cool like Falcon," I respond with a grin.
"We're not naming our son Falcon," she says with amusement. "What about Aryan?"
"Aryan?" I repeat. "I like it. How about Aryan Knox Barrow?"
"It's perfect," she says and places a soft kiss on Aryan's head.
I take her face in my hands and say, "After this war is over, I want to make you my wife. We will marry and live happy lives with our son."
"I would like that very much," she says and her voice breaks as tears fall down her face. "But what if we don't survive th-"
I cut her off and say, "I won't let that happen. The two of you are the light of my life and I swear to you that nothing will hurt you as long as I live."
Our sleeping son opens his eyes and gives us a toothless smile. He has his mother's eyes and dark wisps of my hair. I can't wait to watch him grow up as my soon-to-be-wife and I grow old together.

•Mare POV•
I leave Shade to be with Farley and his son. Cal is waiting for me with open arms and holds me close.
"I can't wait for us to have a child," he whispers into me ear.
"I want to wait a while. I want to spend time with you first," I tell him.
"Oh, so do I. I don't want to share you with anyone," he says and kisses me.
I'm not ready to be a mom yet. I'm not even sure I'm ready to be a wife. I'm so afraid Cal's love for me will fade after we marry. He'll realize that I'm not the girl for him and he doesn't truly love me.
"What are you thinking about?" Cal asks and takes my hand as we walk out of the hospital wing.
      "Nothing important," I respond.
      "You seemed pretty deep in thought. I'm sure you were just daydreaming about me," he says and smirks.
      I shake my head and say, "You wish. Actually, I was daydreaming about another handsome prince."
     "And how many princes do you know?" he asks.
     "Only one that matters," I respond and smile at him.
     "You drive me crazy, woman," he says and wraps and arm around my waist.
     "But you still love me," I say.
     "How could I not?" he asks and kiss my forehead.