Morning sunlight filtered softly through the curtains of the hidden mountain cabin.
December had arrived, covering the mountains in cold winds and white frost. The peaceful sound of the waterfall echoed in the distance while everything around the cabin remained calm and quiet.
Nikolai and Lilith were still asleep.
After the exhausting journey of the past weeks, both of them slept peacefully beneath the blankets. Their bags had already been packed the night before, ready for their return home.
Slowly, Lilith began to wake up.
She yawned softly and rubbed her eyes.
Her sleepy gaze immediately fell on Nikolai, who was lying comfortably against her.
A small smile appeared on her face.
She gently rubbed his cheek.
Then she tapped his nose.
"Hm?" Nikolai murmured sleepily.
"W-Wakey Wakey, Nikki…" she whispered.
She rubbed her nose against his.
A smile instantly appeared on his face.
These were his favorite kinds of mornings.
No responsibilities.
No enemies.
No business.
Just her.
"Good morning, Bambi," he said in his deep husky voice.
"M-Morning Nikki," Lilith replied.
Nikolai stretched slightly before looking at the clock.
"We're going home today. Come on, let's go bathe."
Without waiting for an answer, he lifted her into his arms.
Lilith giggled.
He carried her toward the bathroom.
The warm shower helped chase away the cold mountain air.
Nikolai carefully washed her hair while she occasionally bumped her nose against his.
Each time she did it, he felt his face grow warm.
Cute.
The word echoed repeatedly inside his mind.
After bathing, they got dressed and sat down for breakfast.
Lilith sat comfortably on his lap.
She fed him pieces of food while he occasionally stole bites from her plate.
Nikolai chuckled.
Then he kissed her forehead.
When everything was finally packed, they stepped outside.
The cabin stood peacefully beside the waterfall.
Lilith waved dramatically.
"Bye Bye pretty home!"
Then she turned toward the waterfall.
"Bye bye water…!"
Nikolai smiled.
He secured her seatbelt carefully.
Moments later, they began the long drive home.
Back at the mansion, work never stopped.
The doctors continued developing another batch of treatment intended to help Lilith's condition.
Meanwhile, Ethan sat on a video call.
"Dad, this is Arina. My girlfriend. The one I've been telling you about."
On the screen appeared Ethan's father.
Mr. Devith Chandrakant.
"Greetings, sir," Arina said politely.
"Hello dear," Devith replied warmly.
"My stubborn boy says you're half Indian, right?"
"Y-Yes sir."
Devith narrowed his eyes dramatically.
"Is he giving you a hard time? I can shoot him if you want."
Arina burst into laughter.
"No sir."
"Please don't call me sir."
He smiled.
"You can call me Dad."
Arina blinked.
Then smiled.
"Dad."
"Much better."
Devith looked around the screen.
"Where is Lily?"
"She and brother went on their honeymoon," Arina explained.
"Good."
His expression softened.
"And what about her condition?"
"We're still working on it."
"Good."
The conversation continued comfortably for quite some time.
Elsewhere in the mansion, Nimra arrived carrying numerous shopping bags.
Everyone stared.
And stared.
And stared.
Pakistani traditional clothes.
More clothes.
Jewelry.
Shoes.
Makeup.
Scarves.
Accessories.
And even more clothes.
Then came the biggest surprise.
Ninety bags.
All for Lilith.
"WOAH!" Marco shouted.
Nimra simply continued organizing everything.
Ten additional bags later, she dusted her hands.
"All done."
Hassan sat nearby watching her.
A small smile appeared on his face.
Then he moved over and rested his head on her lap.
Immediately Nimra began stroking his hair.
"Don't worry brother."
She spoke softly in Urdu.
"Sab theek ho jaye ga. Main yahan hoon aur hamesha tumhare saath hoon."
(Everything will be fine. I am here and always by your side.)
Hassan's eyes became watery.
Hammed looked surprised.
"Are you his elder sister?"
"Yes."
Nimra nodded.
"He came after me."
Hassan closed his eyes.
Painful memories surfaced.
Their father.
A Russian doctor.
A man who dedicated his life to saving others.
Their mother.
A feared Mafia Queen.
Then came the terrible night.
Enemies attacked.
Their father was stabbed to death.
Nimra and Hassan had been devastated.
Hassan never fully recovered from witnessing it.
Only a week later, another wound arrived.
Their mother abandoned them.
She married the son of their enemy and later had four more children.
Years passed.
Eventually Nimra found the man responsible.
She shot him dead.
Her mother thanked her.
But Nimra walked away forever.
Since then she had raised Hassan herself.
Protected him.
Supported him.
Loved him.
Always.
Several hours later, a familiar vehicle entered the mansion grounds.
The moment the car stopped, a tiny figure jumped out.
"LILY HOME!!!!!"
Her excited voice echoed through the mansion.
Everyone immediately turned.
"LILY!!"
They rushed forward.
Nikolai stepped out behind her.
"Boss!"
The guards bowed respectfully.
Soon everyone surrounded the couple.
A giant group hug followed.
"How was the honeymoon, baby?" Enzo asked.
"V-Very pretty!"
Lilith smiled brightly.
"Big w-w-w-water up!"
Everyone looked confused.
"She means waterfalls," Nikolai explained.
"Ohhhh."
Damian approached.
"Welcome back, Boss."
Then he immediately crouched toward Lilith.
"Hiiiii Lilyyyyy!"
"Hii Dammy!"
"How are you, Dammy?"
"I'm fine, love."
He hugged her.
Soon Nikolai's siblings arrived.
"Lily baby!"
More hugs.
More laughter.
More chaos.
Lilith happily blew kisses at everyone.
Afterward, Nikolai headed upstairs while the rest gathered for lunch.
Three weeks later.
Christmas Eve approached.
But the mansion was worried.
Lilith had been sick for weeks.
Vomiting.
Fatigue.
Fever.
Weakness.
Everyone was concerned.
"Tomorrow is Christmas."
Yulian sighed.
"Why isn't her fever gone?"
Meanwhile, Nikolai was away working with the group.
Asif had just returned after picking up his daughters from school.
Then suddenly—
Dr. Liv burst into the room carrying a bag.
"I got it!"
Everyone stood.
"Great. Let's go," Clara said.
Dr. Maria carefully helped Lilith.
The doctors guided her into the bathroom.
"Lily baby, come on. Pee, love," Dr. Violet encouraged.
"Hmmm."
"N-N-No pee pee…"
Lilith complained weakly.
Maria handed her water.
Two minutes later they finally collected a sample.
Dr. Liv opened the test kit.
Everyone waited.
Outside, snow covered the estate.
Christmas lights glowed beautifully.
Decorations filled every hallway.
The entire mansion looked magical.
The doctors exited the bathroom.
Everyone immediately gathered.
"What happened?" Zhanna asked.
Salvatore looked between the doctors.
Then Clara smiled.
"Congratulations everyone."
Silence.
Then—
"Lily is pregnant."
The room exploded.
"WHAT!?"
Everyone shouted together.
"What the fuck?! Seriously?" Leon yelled.
"Yes!"
Maria held up the test.
"Look! Two lines!"
Lilith blinked.
Confused.
Completely confused.
"L-L-L-Lily sicky bad?"
"No."
Asif sat beside her.
"Love, did you pray to God for a baby?"
Lilith nodded.
"Well…"
He smiled warmly.
"Lily has a baby now."
"The Almighty has blessed you."
For several seconds she simply stared.
Then she gasped.
Slowly she looked down.
Then tapped her tummy.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
A massive smile appeared.
She began clapping.
"Lily has a baby!"
Clap.
"Lily has a baby!"
Clap.
"Lily has a baby!"
Clap.
"Lily has a baby!"
Clap.
"Lily has a baby!"
Everyone laughed as she happily sang.
Then she suddenly stood.
"Lily tell Nikki!"
"Wait wait love."
Daria gently stopped her.
"Not today."
Lilith tilted her head.
"Hmmm."
Then she nodded.
"Mkay."
Yulian smiled.
"It's lunchtime baby."
"Let's go visit brother's office."
"And afterward we'll prepare a gift."
Lilith immediately nodded.
"Okay!"
"Let's go, y'all," Meghan said as she lit her cigarette.
One by one, everyone began leaving the room.
Meanwhile, snow continued falling outside.
And somewhere far away, completely unaware of the surprise waiting for him—
Nikolai continued working.
Not knowing that this Christmas would change his life forever.