The CEO’ s second choice novel Chapter 61

　　Elena

　　The familiar winding road to our villa brings a smile to my face. We were going home, all three of us. I looked over at Sebastian in the driver’s seat and little Aaron next to me in the car seat, and my heart feels full. I was well on my way to healing, had my husband by my side, and my baby was safe and healthy. Despite knowing my sister might have been behind my attack, I was still happy.

　　I almost didn’t get into the SUV when we left the hospital because I started having a panic attack. Scenes from the accident came flooding back to me, but Sebastian and Isaac managed to calm me down long enough to get into the vehicle before the paparazzi arrived. My two loves, I still can’t believe how blessed I am to have them both in my life.

　　“We’re home,” Sebastian says with a smile and we make eye contact in the rearview mirror. Home. I never realised it before, but I never had a home. Wiltshire Estate was just that; an estate. There was no warmth within its walls, no love from my family, and loneliness surrounded me at every turn. At our villa things are so much different; my staff members feel like family and there was warmth at every turn.

　　Sebastian brings the SUV to a halt in front of our door and I see our staff filling out to meet us, with Isaac following close by in his Mercedes. “Miss Elena!” I hear Ilse call and my heart breaks at the love in her voice. My villa mamma! I smile and wave at her to come closer to Aaron’s side. “Please, would you be a doll and take Aaron? I am unable to at the moment.” I ask her and see her eyes widen and fill with tears. “I would be honoured!” She exclaims with a hand to her chest, and I giggle at her response. Lifting my boy gingerly, she holds him close to her chest and gently rocks him when he stirs. “Master Dumont, it is a pleasure to meet you,” I hear her whisper and lightly close the SUV’s door with her bum.

　　“Upsy daisy,” Sebastian says as he picks me up and places me in the wheelchair and I hear Isaac burst out in a fit of giggles. “The cold Mr CEO just said upsy daisy, I’m sorry you have to give me a minute!” He says in between breaths and I see Sebastian roll his eyes before closing the vehicle door and pushing the wheelchair inside the villa.

　　Glazed eyes all greet me as we walk inside, and I choke back my tears. These people were my staff but they’ve shown me more love than my family ever has. I tell Sebastian to stop and embrace them all, telling them how much I appreciate them and their prayers for me. “They all love you,” Sebastian says with pride while we were in the installed elevator to go up to our room. I shrug. “I love them all as well. They’re my family too.” I say and touch Ilse’s arm while she beams down at me. “He’s so beautiful and the exact copy of Mr Dumont,” she says and I chuckle. I notice the resemblance as well. Even at a few weeks old, the Dumont features were already prominent.

　　Sebastian got me settled in bed and pushed the crib against my side of the bed. I don’t care what anyone says, my child will sleep in my bedroom until I say otherwise. I already missed out on his birth and bonding with breastfeeding. I’ll be damned if I miss out on every other milestone. He was still fast asleep, and I couldn’t help but gaze down at my precious child.

　　Because I was in a coma, I never got to fully bond with Aaron and it will forever haunt me. Does he know that I am his mommy? Does he recognise me? He doesn’t cry when I hold him and snuggle into me when he sleeps, so maybe he does?

　　“I had the nurse let him sleep with your favourite scarf so he recognises your scent,” Sebastian suddenly says as he sits down at the foot of the bed. I look up at him, tears welling up in my eyes and falling down my cheeks. “You did that?” I ask, incredulously. Is this why Aaron snuggles into my arms when he sleeps? Because he recognises my scent? He nods. “I wanted him to know who his mommy was, even while you were in a coma and had amnesia. There needed to be a bond between the two of you when you woke up, Elena. It would have eaten at your heart if he did not know you. I also told the nurse to wear one of your jackets when he was being bottle-fed.”

　　My hands fly to my face as elated sobs wreck through my body. Sebastian had no idea what this meant to me, and I don’t think I could ever express it or put my gratitude into coherent words. Where would I even begin? What would I even say? “Sebastian, I… I don’t know what… what to…” I tried, I really did try to speak, but my emotions clouded my heart and all that came out was gibberish.