Finley was surprised. He had expected resistance. A request to postpone. Maybe even a polite excuse involving dical restrictions. Instead, Axel agreed as if he’d been waiting for this call.
"...Alright then," Finley said slowly. "We’ll arrive around lunchti."
"I’ll ask the chef to prepare a family lunch," Axel replied. Then he paused, his voice lowering just slightly. "But Finley, can you warn them not to ask her about her pregnancy?"
Finley winced. He could already picture his father’s blunt mouth and his grandfather’s emotional questions.
"I’ll try," Finley said honestly. "Though convincing them might require a miracle, not a warning."
Axel’s low chuckle ca through the line. "Do your best. I’d rather not throw anyone out of my house today."
Finley laughed. "Noted. I will make sure you won’t do that today."
"Thanks..."
They ended the call.
Finley turned back toward the main room, bracing himself. Negotiating with a bunch of hungry politicians was easy.
Negotiating with the Morgan elders?
That was sothing else, the real battlefield.
...
At the Valley, Axel’s house was unusually lively for a late morning.
The mont Axel ended his call with Finley, he summoned Jimmy with the urgency of a man planning a royal banquet.
Orders were given, chefs were alerted, and ingredients were summoned as if by magic.
A surprise family lunch was now in motion.
Only after everything was set did Axel finally set out to find his wife.
He found her exactly where he expected her to be lately—in the music room.
Sunlight poured through the tall windows, spilling across the polished piano.
Oliver sat proudly on the bench, his fingers dancing over the keys.
Evelyn, Stella, and Alicia watched from the sofa, their faces soft with warmth and amusent.
Axel leaned against the doorway, silent, content to watch.
Oliver finished with a dramatic flourish, striking the final note like a seasoned perforr. The sound echoed beautifully through the room.
Only then did Axel clear his throat.
Oliver spun around instantly. "Oh, Daddy! Did you hear?" He hopped off the bench and sprinted toward Axel with the energy of a tiny hurricane. "Was it good?"
Axel caught him easily and lifted him into his arms.
"Good?" Axel repeated, pretending to think. "No, buddy. It was perfect. You’re officially a piano prodigy. I’m proud of you."
Oliver threw his fists into the air.
"Yay! I knew Daddy would like it!" Then he turned excitedly toward the sofa. "Mom! Grandma Alice! Aunt Stella! Why aren’t you praising ? Am I not good enough?"
Stella burst out laughing. "Little sir, I was so shocked by your talent that my brain stopped working. Forgive ."
Alicia placed a hand on her chest. "Grandma was also stunned. You nearly gave a heart attack with that performance."
Oliver bead, clearly satisfied, but his eyes shifted toward Evelyn. He waited.
Evelyn smiled, warmth shining in her gaze. She slowly pushed herself up, careful with her healing body, and stepped closer.
"Sweetheart," she said softly, "that was the most beautiful thing I’ve heard. I think my wounds just healed a little faster."
Oliver’s jaw dropped, shocked to hear his mother’s words, "Really?"
"Really," she confird, tapping his nose gently.
Oliver imdiately turned back toward the piano with renewed determination. "Then I’ll play again. So Mommy can heal completely!" He wriggled in Axel’s arms. "Dad, put down, please."
Axel lowered him to the floor and ruffled his hair. "Go on then. Play for Grandma and Aunt Stella. Mommy needs to talk to for a mont."
Oliver squinted suspiciously, clearly offended that his concert was being interrupted. But one look at Evelyn’s encouraging smile softened him. He marched back to the bench, sat down with great seriousness, and lifted his hands again like a professional perforr preparing for an encore.
As Oliver began another song, Axel reached for Evelyn’s hand. She accepted it easily, and together they slipped out of the music room.
The mont the door closed behind them, Evelyn tilted her head. "You pulled away from my son’s world tour. I hope you understand the consequences."
Axel can’t help but laugh.
"I’ll accept whatever punishnt the great piano prodigy demands later." He said playfully.
Evelyn rolled her eyes fondly. "So, what is it, Mr. Knight? You look like a man who either planned a war... or a surprise."
"Close," Axel replied. "Your uncle called."
"Finley?"
"Hmm! He finally told the elders about your accident," Axel said gently. "And now your grandfather and your uncle want to visit. Today. At lunch."
"Today?" Evelyn asked. She feels like she froze for half a second.
"Yes," Axel said calmly. "I already told them yes."
She stared at him, sighed slightly, and said, "Axel Knight. Did you at least ask if I agreed before inviting half the Morgan bloodline into our house?"
Axel lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles. "My wife," he said smoothly, "if I asked, you would say yes anyway. I simply saved you ti."
Evelyn narrowed her eyes. "That logic sounds suspicious..." A smile erged on her lips.
"I prefer the term efficient husband," Axel replied.
She laughed despite herself, shaking her head. "I’m still in recovery. I can barely walk without looking like a dramatic heroine in a tragedy."
Axel looked her up and down. "Oh my dear wife, even as a dramatic heroine, you’re stunning. Besides, I’ll carry you if needed. Let the Morgans tremble at the sight of their family being escorted like royalty."
Evelyn laughed, hearing how Axel had beco more shaless with his words lately. "You just want to show off."
"Always," Axel admitted shalessly.
"All right. But if they start interrogating like a suspect, I’m sending them to you. I’m tired of answering questions about the incident."
Axel leaned down, brushing his lips against her forehead. "Deal. I’ll handle the elders. You just sit, smile, and let our son impress them into submission."
Evelyn nods in agreent, but inside, she feels a bit nervous because it’s the first ti she’s about to share her blood relation to the Morgans with the rest of her family.
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