The morning sun filtered through the curtains as Nora slowly opened her eyes, stretching gently. Her hand instinctively caressed her baby bump before she slid out of bed. She tiptoed downstairs, humming softly as she began making breakfast. The smell of toast and eggs filled the air as she giggled to herself, flipping the last pancake onto a plate.
"Perfect," she whispered, wiping her hands and setting the table.
Meanwhile, upstairs, Zayan was searching every corner of the house. "Z?!" Nora called out, just as he rushed down the staircase.
"There you are!" Zayan said with a sigh of relief. "I've been looking everywhere for you."
"Breakfast," Nora smiled, holding up a plate. Her smile was sweet, but her eyes were tired.
They sat together, and for a few moments, everything felt normal.
But then Nora's smile faded. "Nora… not safe," she murmured. "Z… Safety. Nora scared. Scared for babies. Because of yesterday." Her voice trembled, and her lower lip quivered as the memory returned. "Z got hurt too… Nora cried a lot…"
Zayan reached for her hand, squeezing it gently. "Are you scared, darling?"
She nodded slowly. "Nora wants babies to be safe… and Z too…"
Zayan's expression softened. He cupped her cheek, his voice steady. "I'll keep you and the babies safe. Always. We'll find a better place… safer than here."
Nora leaned her head on his shoulder, comforted by his warmth. Within moments, she fell asleep again, her breathing slow and even. Zayan lifted her carefully and carried her upstairs, laying her gently on the bed. He kissed her tummy, whispering, "I promise, my loves… you're safe with me."
Later that day, Zayan called an emergency meeting. The boys, the doctors, and Zira all gathered in the lounge. Tension filled the room.
"Where can we keep Nora safe?" Zayan asked. The group brainstormed for forty minutes, discussing options, but none seemed secure enough.
Asher sat silently in the corner, arms crossed, just watching. Finally, he spoke up.
"Are you guys done?" His voice was calm but firm.
Everyone turned toward him. Shaw raised a brow. "Uhmm, you're not helping, man."
Asher stood. "There is a place," he said. "Somewhere no one knows. Guarded with high-tech systems and over 700,000 armed men. A place Nora grew up in… and loves."
Zayan's eyes lit up. "The orphanage."
"Exactly," Asher nodded. "Over the years, I kept upgrading it—new systems, better defense. Isaac and I were raised by Nora there. We were all raised by her. She'll be safest there."
The room fell silent. Everyone understood the weight of Asher's words. Zayan looked around, then spoke decisively.
"Doctors, Rex, Kiernan, and Zira will stay with Nora at the orphanage. Shaw too."
"What about the rest of us?" someone asked.
"We stay here. Monitor everything. But right now, we move."
Within the hour, everyone was packing. Security teams scrambled into position. Cars lined the driveway. Zayan personally gathered all of Nora's things and carried her to the car, where she remained asleep in his arms.
On the road, she stirred. "Z?" she mumbled sleepily.
"Yes, love?" he answered, brushing hair from her face.
"Where are we going?"
"To the safest place ever," Zayan whispered.
Twenty minutes later, they arrived.
The orphanage stood like a fortress—peaceful yet heavily fortified. Its beauty had only grown over the years. Asher and Isaac were waiting, already having activated every defense system. The iron tank gates shut behind them with a mechanical hiss.
Nora was placed on Nana's old bed, the softest one in the home. Zayan sat beside her, rubbing her tummy in gentle circles. She relaxed beneath his touch and fell asleep once again.
Everything had been arranged: food, pregnancy supplies, medical equipment. All of it was waiting for her. The kids—each trained by Asher and Isaac—stood ready, fully briefed on their mission to protect her.
Even though Zayan had to return to work during the day, he promised to visit every evening, no matter what. For the next eight months, this place—their place—would be her sanctuary. Whether she delivered the twins at home or in a hospital, everything was prepared.
And this time, nothing and no one would get through.