Chapter 5 - The Heir to the Aegis
Two weeks later, the world faded into a blinding haze of pain and bright lights.
My water broke in the middle of a server-routing presentation. Within minutes, I was surrounded by Vanguard's top private physicians in the secure medical wing of the facility.
Labor was agonizing. For hours, I gripped the side rails of the bed, feeling the phantom presence of my husband. Michael was supposed to be here. He was supposed to hold my hand and tell me it was going to be okay.
Instead, Captain Elias Vance stood guard outside my door, pacing the hallway like a caged tiger, fiercely protective of his commanding officer's widow.
At 11:42 PM, the room echoed with a powerful, screaming cry.
"It's a boy, Director," the lead doctor smiled, placing a warm, squirming bundle onto my chest.
I looked down into a face that was the exact mirror of Michael's. The same dark hair, the same strong jawline. Tears finally broke free, streaming down my face as I kissed his forehead.
"Welcome to the world, Michael James Vance Jr.," I whispered.
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General Thorne was the first visitor. He walked in holding a small, velvet box. Inside was a tiny, custom-made set of silver dog tags.
"For the heir," Thorne said gently. "The Vanguard family protects its own, Elena. He will never know a day of cold. He will never know a day of hunger. And he will know exactly who his father was."
