I smiled as I gently took little Emma from Eva. She was a perfect miniature of Ezra, with his striking eyes, his lips, everything. The resemblance was uncanny.
“She doesn’t look like me at all, and I carried her for nine months,” Eva said, her tone a mix of humor and frustration, making me burst out laughing.
“Maybe your next child will look exactly like you,” I teased, and she scoffed, rolling her eyes.
“I don’t think I’m ever going to have a next child. The pain of childbirth was unbearable. I nearly passed out,” she said, and we both laughed, the shared moment lightening the mood.
“I can’t wait for her to grow up so I can spoil her with all the candies she wants. I’m going to be the cool aunt,” I said, grinning.
“She’ll have all the sleepovers at your place,” Eva added with a knowing smile, and I nodded eagerly.
“I can’t wait,” I squealed, touching Emma’s flushed cheeks. “She’s so cute. I can’t believe you and Ezra produced such a perfect baby,” I joked, rolling my eyes playfully.
“Not everyone makes ugly babies like you, Lena,” Ezra’s voice interrupted as he walked into the room.
“You know she’s only this beautiful because of Eva, not you, right?” I shot back, smirking at him.
“And yet, she looks exactly like me… How fair is that?” Ezra countered, glancing between me and Eva.
“Now I think I am going to have another child just to prove you wrong,” Eva said with a mischievous smile.
“A child with me?” Ezra asked a hopeful glint in his eyes.
“Who said it was going to be yours?” Eva replied, her tone teasing as she turned away from him.
Before I could hear more, I decided to make my exit, cradling baby Emma in my arms. As I stepped out of the room, I nearly bumped into Cyrus, who was standing at the door.
“She’s cute, right?” he asked, his gaze softening as he looked at Emma.
“Yeah, she is,” I said, smiling down at her before glancing back up at him. “I thought you said you wouldn’t come?”
“Did you really think I’d miss being with you for the world?” he asked, closing the distance between us and kissing my cheek.
“Yeah… for Brittany,” I said, rolling my eyes, but I couldn’t help the grin that tugged at my lips when he chuckled.
“I love it when you’re jealous,” he said, his voice low and teasing. “It makes me want to have babies with you so you’d know just how serious I am about being with you forever.”
The frown I’d been wearing quickly melted into a smile. “I hate how you always make me smile so easily.”
“Well, you love me, don’t you?” he said, and we both chuckled, the tension easing between us.
“Damn, she looks so much like Ezra, and I definitely don’t like that,” he joked, making us both laugh again.
“Maybe our daughter will look just like you one day,” I said, turning to look at him, and he smiled, the thought warming him.
“I’d love to have six children with you… three girls, three boys. Four can look exactly like you, and two can look like me. What do you think?” he asked, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
“I think you’re going to push them out, right?” I shot back, and he chuckled.
“If I have to, I would gladly do it,” he said before leaning in for a kiss.
“Let’s not corrupt her at her very young age,” I murmured against his lips, and we both chuckled.
Hand in hand, we walked back to the room and opened the door to find Eva and Ezra locked in a passionate kiss.
“Seems like you guys are trying to make another baby,” I said, breaking the moment with a laugh.
~~
After Cyrus’ surgery, he slipped into a coma that lasted five agonizing months. Those months were the hardest of my life; each day, my heart sank deeper into despair, afraid he might never wake up. I couldn’t stop praying, hoping against hope every time I visited the hospital that today would be the day he’d open his eyes. The fear gnawed at me, but just last month, a miracle happened-Cyrus finally woke up from that deep, deadly sleep.
The joy I felt when the doctors confirmed he was cancer-free was indescribable. He was healthy again, with only minor health complications to manage. The relief that washed over me was immense; it felt like I could finally breathe after holding it in for so long.
Last week, Cyrus started working at his dad’s company. Of course, there’s always a catch-his new assistant is a bit too interested in him. She’s annoying, to say the least, but I know Cyrus barely gives her a second glance. It’s just a minor irritation compared to what we’ve been through.
Ezra has also made some big moves. He’s gotten a new house where he, Eva, and little Emma are living now. They’ve worked through their differences, and Ezra is back in town because he’s about to take on a job at Dad’s company. Seeing him happy and settled brings me a sense of peace.
Reggie, meanwhile, is in his final year and will be the next one to graduate. Time is flying by so fast.
As I poured juice into a glass, Reggie appeared beside me, gently taking the jug from my hands. “You should be careful with that,” he said with a teasing smile.
“Since when did you become so nice to me?” I quipped, earning an exaggerated eye roll from him.
I looked over at little Roma, who was in Anya’s arms, his chubby cheeks flushed with happiness. “Roma,” I called, scooping him up from Anya, whose face immediately turned serious.
“You don’t get to keep him forever,” I teased, chuckling at the way she pouted.
“Make your own baby, girl,” Anya shot back, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
“Anya!” Mom’s voice called out in mild reprimand, but she just grinned at me.
“She’s old enough, right? Aren’t you like… 20 or so?” Anya said, laughing as she dodged my playful swat.
“I hate you,” I murmured, though the smile tugging at my lips gave me away.
“Hate you more,” she shot back, and we both laughed, the tension of the past months melting away in this moment of lighthearted banter.
I turned my attention back to Roma, his sweet giggles filling the room as I pinched his cheeks softly. “You look so handsome,” I cooed, watching his face light up with joy.
Roma was already nine months old, and it felt like just yesterday he was born. In three short months, he’d be a year old. It’s amazing-and a little bittersweet-how fast he’s growing up.
It was one of those nights where everything seemed to fall perfectly into place, the warmth of family filling every corner of the house. Blue, as usual, was giggling over some secret he could barely keep.
“Grey said he’s gonna ask his girlfriend to be his wife right after college,” Blue whispered, his eyes wide with excitement.
“Was that supposed to be a secret?” I asked, watching as Blue nodded, still grinning from ear to ear.
“So dumb,” I muttered just as Grey walked into the room, looking slightly embarrassed.
“Telling Blue you’re gonna propose to Sophy is the worst idea ever, you know that, right?” I teased.
Grey sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Yeah, I know. He might even tell her.”
“To be honest,” I added, shaking my head at the thought of how easily Blue could let something like that slip.
Before the conversation could go any further, Mom called out, “Dinner is ready,” and the whole family quickly gathered around the table.
“I’ve been anticipating this all day,” Grey said, eyeing the spread of dishes laid out before us.
“Let’s pray,” Mom said, playfully slapping Blue’s hand away from the food. We all bowed our heads, and she blessed the meal.
“Amen,” we chorused before diving into the food.
As we ate, Dad looked over at Mom with a fond smile. “In my next life, I want to be your husband again because your cooking is out of this world.”
We all chuckled at that, and I couldn’t resist adding, “And I want to be your only child.”
“That’s selfish,” Anya retorted, making everyone laugh.
“Okay, fine, with you and then Grey… maybe Blue,” I said, pretending to consider.
“I must be that bad,” Reggie said, feigning offense.
“Because you are,” Grey shot back, sending us all into another round of laughter.
After a while, I glanced at Dad. “Dad, Cyrus is spending the night.”
He scoffed, and even though he tried to hide it, I could see that familiar flicker of protectiveness in his eyes. As much as he tried to be okay with me dating, I knew it still stung every time I mentioned Cyrus staying over.
“Good luck,” he said, and Mom chuckled, giving him a knowing look.
Dinner wrapped up, and I found myself stuck with the task of washing the dishes-a chore I’d always despised.
“Can’t Grey at least help me with this?” I grumbled, eyeing the pile of dirty plates.
“I’m busy,” Grey quickly said, making his escape.
“It’s all yours,” Mom said with a grin.
” Not fair at all” I murmured.
Cyrus walked into the kitchen. “I can help you with that, aunt” he offered with a smile.
“Thanks, darling,” Mom said, smiling back at him before giving me a knowing look and leaving us alone.
As we started washing the dishes, the memories of how it all began flooded back. This was exactly how our story started… our forbidden ties.
“You’re such a snub,” I teased, rolling my eyes at him.
“I love seeing you like that, you know,” he replied with a chuckle before wrapping his arms around me in a warm hug. “I missed you, babe,” he whispered, his breath tickling my ear as he kissed it softly.
“Missed you too,” I murmured, melting into his embrace.
Just then, Dad’s voice cut through the moment, “Yeah, yeah… you can let go of my daughter now.”
Cyrus and I quickly stepped back from each other, trying to stifle our laughter.
“This sucks,” Dad muttered as he walked away, and I couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Your wife is waiting for you,” I teased.
“Oh, yeah,” Dad said, almost as if he’d forgotten, before rushing out of the kitchen.
Cyrus turned back to me with a grin. “Where were we, baby girl?”
“Right here, Daddy,” I replied, and we both burst into laughter, knowing we were exactly where we were meant to be.
THE END.