Fallen General's Omega (BL)-Chapter 221: Dreams and farmiliarity

"There, there," Noelle murmurs, rocking Mimi gently in his arms, his voice a soothing lullaby against the chaos of our return. But despite his efforts, our daughter continues to cry, her tiny fists clenching the fabric of his shirt as if afraid we’ll disappear again. Guilt tugs at my chest. We’ve been gone too long. I knew she would miss us, but seeing the distress in her big, watery eyes makes it hit home.

I step closer, placing a hand on Noelle’s back, rubbing slow, reassuring circles. Mimi’s sobs quiet just a fraction, her tiny nose scrunching as she lets out a few hiccups. Her green eyes, so much like Noelle’s, stare up at me, pleading. She doesn’t understand why we left, only that we were gone. And now that we’re back, she doesn’t want to let go.

I won’t let her cry herself to exhaustion.

With one smooth movement, I scoop both of them into my arms, pulling them toward the massive bed. Noelle doesn’t protest, allowing himself to be gathered in my embrace, and Mimi lets out a soft whimper but snuggles closer into Noelle’s chest. Her tiny fingers curl around the fabric of his nightshirt, as if anchoring herself to the safety of her parents.

I settle us down, pressing Noelle firmly against me with Mimi resting between us, her tiny body fitting perfectly against our warmth. I pull the blankets over us, tucking them securely around my family. The weight of them in my arms, the steady rhythm of their breathing—this is home.

Noelle lets out a sigh, resting his head against my shoulder. His scent is comforting, familiar, grounding. I inhale deeply, savoring it. The collar is back around his neck, the star-shaped jewel shimmering faintly in the dim light of the room. It cost me a fortune, well half of my networth, sure I still have enough to make sure Mimi’s children’s children’s children live comfortably.

Mimi finally stops fussing, her tiny body relaxing as her breathing evens out. I feel her small fingers flex in her sleep before she sighs, her little mouth parting slightly. She’s content now, tucked safely between her parents, where she belongs.

I tighten my hold, pressing a lingering kiss against Noelle’s forehead. He hums softly, already half-asleep, but leans into my touch, his body instinctively seeking mine.

I don’t deserve this.

I know that.

For everything I’ve done, for the lives I’ve taken, for the sins that will one day catch up to me—I shouldn’t be allowed this peace. And yet, here I am, lying in bed with the two most precious beings in the world, wrapped in warmth and love I never thought I’d have.

I stroke Noelle’s hair, brushing my fingers through the silky strands. He makes a soft noise in response, one of contentment, his fingers lazily tracing patterns against my chest.

I press my forehead against his, closing my eyes as I bask in the quiet. The steady rise and fall of their breathing lulls me, deeper into slumber.

I tighten my grip around them both, as if to make sure they won’t disappear.

They won’t.

Not as long as I live.

Not as long as I breathe.

Sleep claims me soon after, the last thing I hear being the steady, comforting heartbeat of my family.

***

Noelle pov

I walk through a grand hallway, my footsteps echoing softly against the polished marble floors. The walls stretch endlessly, adorned with intricate carvings, illuminated by the golden glow of chandeliers that seem to flicker like candlelight. There’s something familiar about this place, a home I should recognize—but the details blur, slipping through my grasp like sand in an hourglass.

I stop in front of a massive painting. It dominates the wall, towering over me. The image is striking—six figures, standing together in a way that speaks of intimacy, of family. I can’t see their faces. They’re shrouded in a strange, ethereal fog, their features obscured just beyond my reach. My heart clenches, the aching weight of familiarity pressing against my chest.

I step closer, reaching out, desperate to understand.

"It’s a beautiful family, isn’t it?"

A voice, warm and familiar, startles me. I whip around, my breath catching in my throat.

She stands there, her green eyes twinkling with mischief, the same way they always did.

"Mum?" My voice is barely a whisper, the sound fragile, as if speaking too loudly will shatter the moment.

She smiles, soft and knowing. "Hey, Noelle."

Before I can think, I rush forward, throwing myself into her arms. She catches me effortlessly, holding me as though I never left her embrace. My hands clutch at her, afraid that if I let go, she’ll disappear like smoke in the wind.

"I missed you," I choke out.

She hums, a sound that I remember from childhood, one she used to soothe me with when I had nightmares. Her fingers comb through my hair, gentle and patient.

"There, there," she murmurs. "How can you still be such a big baby? You have babies of your own now."

I cling to her tighter, burying my face into her shoulder, breathing in a scent I never thought I’d experience again. It’s the same—warm, safe, home.

"I’ll always be your baby," I whisper, my voice thick with emotion.

She chuckles, the sound light and affectionate. "Agreed."

Hand in hand, we walk through the magnificent home together. The walls are lined with paintings I can’t fully see, doors leading to rooms I don’t recognize but feel connected to. The light filters in through enormous windows, casting everything in a dreamlike glow.

Time feels strange here, unmeasured.

We talk, we laugh. It feels real, as real as the weight of her hand in mine. I soak in every moment, afraid it will slip away too soon.

"Where is this place?" I ask eventually, stopping to glance around the grand space. "I’ve never been here before... but it feels like I have."

She tilts her head playfully. "What do you mean, silly? This is your home."

I blink, confused. "My home?"

Her eyes widen slightly, and she winces. "Oops!" She gives an awkward laugh. "I didn’t say anything."

I turn to her, my heart racing. But before I can press her for answers, she sighs, shaking her head.

"They really will stop letting me out of the afterlife like this," she muses, half to herself.

And then—she starts to fade.

"No—wait!" I reach for her, panic lacing my voice. My fingers pass through empty air.

Before she’s gone completely, she surges forward, pressing a kiss to my forehead.

"I will never, ever regret having you," she whispers against my skin. "You meant everything to me. I was always so scared that no one would love you as much as I loved you, but... I’m so glad that’s not true."

Her voice cracks, and the last thing I hear before she’s gone is—

"I love you, Noelle."

And then, silence.

---

I wake with a sharp gasp, my body jerking forward as if trying to chase a shadow. My breathing is ragged, my heart pounding like a drum. The room is dim, the sheets tangled around me.

The space beside me is empty.

I freeze.

For a second, the remnants of sleep and grief blur together, and my pulse quickens with something close to panic. Where is he?

The distant sound of laughter and baby babbling filters through the walls.

Relief washes over me, so overwhelming that my entire body sags with it. I throw the sheets off and stumble out of bed, following the sound like a lifeline.

I find them in the sitting area.

Thorne is seated on the floor, shirtless, looking like a vision of warmth and safety, holding our daughter in his lap. His golden hair is tousled from sleep, his blue eyes soft as he watches Mimi gurgle excitedly, reaching up to grab his face.

She slaps his cheek playfully, and he lets out a dramatic gasp. "Mimi, you wound me," he exclaims, clutching his heart.

She giggles, and he presses loud, exaggerated kisses to her chubby cheeks, making her squeal.

I stand in the doorway, my chest tightening.

They look so... perfect.

My husband. Our daughter. My family.

Thorne notices me standing there, his expression shifting instantly. His eyes sweep over me, taking in my state—barefoot, wearing only his shirt, my hair messy from sleep.

His lips quirk up in a lazy smirk. "Good morning, my beloved star," he murmurs. freёweɓnovel.com

I swallow hard, stepping forward until I’m standing before him.

I don’t say anything.

Instead, I drop to my knees and throw my arms around him and Mimi, holding them as tightly as I can.

Thorne stills for a moment before he melts into my embrace. His arms wrap around me, solid and warm, one hand cradling the back of my head as I press my face against his shoulder.

Mimi makes a noise of protest at being squished between us, and I pull back just enough to look at

her. Her stormy gray eyes, so much like mine, blink up at me with curiosity.

"Morning, my little star," I whisper, kissing the top of her head.