Daddy is Coming Home

The calm after the attack on the estate was deceptive. The air was thick with tension as Alexander and his team prepared to infiltrate Marcus Wolfe's island stronghold. Every second felt like the calm before a storm, and Mia was caught in the balance between hope and dread.

Alexander had kept her updated on the plans, knowing that shielding her from the truth would only make her feel more powerless. As the day of the mission drew closer, she found herself torn between gratitude for his trust and fear for his safety.

"Alexander," Mia said one evening as they sat together on the edge of their bed, her hands resting over her growing belly, "promise me one thing."

His piercing blue eyes locked on hers, his expression both calm and intense. "Anything."

"Promise me you'll come back," she said, her voice trembling.

He leaned in, pressing his forehead to hers. "I swear to you, I'll come back. For you and for our child. Nothing will keep me from you."

The war room buzzed with activity as Selena laid out the final details of their plan. Maps of Wolfe's island were spread across the table, marked with red circles identifying key locations—armories, communications hubs, and Wolfe's rumored base of operations.

"We'll infiltrate the island under the cover of night," Selena explained. "A small team will disable their defenses while the rest of us secure Wolfe's compound."

Alexander nodded, his jaw set in determination. "Speed and precision are key. We need to neutralize Wolfe before he has a chance to retaliate."

Mia entered the room quietly, her presence drawing every gaze. Despite her obvious nerves, she stood tall, her chin raised.

"I've been reading through the files you recovered," she said, holding up a stack of papers. "Wolfe's been using offshore accounts to fund his operations. If we can cut off his finances, it'll cripple his network."

Selena raised an eyebrow, impressed. "That's… actually a solid strategy. If we hit his resources, it'll weaken his ability to strike back even if he escapes."

Alexander gave Mia a small smile. "That's my wife—always thinking one step ahead."

The night before the mission, Alexander and Mia spent a quiet evening together. The tension was palpable, but they tried to savor the moment, knowing it might be their last for a while.

Mia sat by the fireplace, her hands wrapped around a mug of tea. Alexander sat beside her, his arm draped protectively over her shoulders.

"Do you ever wish we could just disappear?" she asked softly, her gaze fixed on the flickering flames.

"Sometimes," Alexander admitted. "But disappearing wouldn't make Wolfe go away. He'd keep coming, no matter where we hid."

Mia sighed, leaning her head against his shoulder. "I hate this. I hate that we can't just be happy without someone trying to take it away from us."

Alexander turned to her, his expression gentle but resolute. "We will be happy, Mia. Once this is over, we'll have the life we've always dreamed of. I promise you that."

She looked up at him, her eyes brimming with tears. "You've made a lot of promises lately, Alexander."

"And I intend to keep every single one of them," he replied, brushing a tear from her cheek.

The next evening, the team gathered on the estate's private airstrip. A sleek black jet waited on the tarmac, its engines humming softly. Mia stood with Alexander as he prepared to board, her heart pounding in her chest.

"Take care of yourself," she whispered, her voice breaking.

He cupped her face in his hands, his gaze unwavering. "I'll be back before you know it. You and our baby are my reason for fighting. Don't forget that."

Mia nodded, unable to speak through the lump in her throat. She watched as he boarded the jet, her heart aching with every step he took away from her.

As the jet disappeared into the night sky, Mia placed a hand on her belly and whispered, "Come back to us, Alexander."

The island loomed ahead, its jagged cliffs and dense forests shrouded in darkness. The jet touched down on a hidden runway, and Alexander's team moved with military precision, unloading their equipment and preparing for the mission ahead.

Selena checked her watch. "We've got a six-hour window before sunrise. Let's move."

The team split into smaller groups, each with a specific target. Alexander led the assault team, his focus razor-sharp.

As they navigated the island's terrain, they encountered resistance—guards patrolling the perimeter, drones scanning the skies—but they neutralized every threat with swift efficiency.

When they finally reached Wolfe's compound, Alexander paused, his instincts kicking in. Something wasn't right.

"Selena," he said quietly, "do a thermal scan of the building."

Selena complied, her expression darkening as she studied the results. "It's a trap. The place is rigged with explosives."

Alexander cursed under his breath. "Wolfe knew we were coming."

Mia paced the living room, unable to sleep. Every minute that passed felt like an eternity. She kept her phone close, waiting for news from Alexander.

When it finally rang, she answered it with trembling hands.

"Alexander?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"It's Selena," came the reply. "We've hit a snag, but we're working on it. He's okay, Mia. I promise."

Mia exhaled a shaky breath. "Just… bring him back to me. Please."

Selena's voice softened. "We will. Stay strong."

As the call ended, Mia sat down, her hand resting on her belly. "We're going to be okay," she whispered to her child. "Your daddy's coming home."