The morning sunlight poured through the bedroom windows, bathing the room in a soft glow. Isla stirred beneath the covers, her body wrapped in the warmth of the man beside her. Dante’s arm draped over her waist, his hold protective even in sleep. She smiled, feeling a sense of peace she hadn’t experienced in a long time.
Amara’s laughter echoed from somewhere in the house, pulling Isla from her thoughts. Her heart warmed at the sound of her little girl’s giggles, always a source of joy and mischief. Carefully, she slipped out of Dante’s embrace, pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead before heading toward the commotion.
—
In the kitchen, Amara sat at the counter, her face smeared with chocolate. The nanny, Sophia, stood nearby, looking both amused and exasperated as she tried to clean up the mess.
“Amara,” Isla said with a chuckle, crossing her arms. “What have you done this time?”
“Mama!” Amara exclaimed, hopping down from the stool and running into Isla’s arms. “I was making cookies for you and Daddy!”
Isla crouched down, her hands on Amara’s shoulders. “That’s very sweet of you, but next time, let’s ask for help before covering the kitchen in chocolate, okay?”
Amara nodded enthusiastically, her curls bouncing. “Okay! But they’re gonna be so yummy, Mama. Just wait!”
Isla smiled, kissing her daughter’s forehead. “I can’t wait, sweetheart.”
—
By the time Dante joined them downstairs, the cookies were baking, and the kitchen was spotless once more. He walked in, still dressed in his pajamas, his hair slightly tousled. Isla couldn’t help but admire him; even in his most casual state, he exuded an effortless charm.
“Good morning, my two favorite girls,” he greeted, pulling Isla into a quick kiss before scooping Amara into his arms.
“Daddy! I made cookies!” Amara announced proudly.
“Cookies? That’s my girl,” Dante said, twirling her around, making her squeal with laughter.
Isla watched them, her heart swelling with love. This was the life she had always dreamed of-a happy family, filled with laughter and love.
—
After breakfast, Dante brought up a topic that had been on both their minds for a while.
“I’ve been thinking,” he began, sipping his coffee. “It’s time we enroll Amara in a proper school. She’s growing up so fast, and she deserves to be around other kids her age.”
Isla nodded, though the idea made her nervous. “I agree, but I’m worried. What if she doesn’t adjust well? She’s never been away from us for too long.”
“She’s resilient, Isla,” Dante reassured her, reaching across the table to hold her hand. “And we’ll find the best school for her. Somewhere close, where we can keep an eye on things.”
Amara, overhearing their conversation, perked up. “School? Will I have new friends there?”
“Yes, sweetheart,” Isla said, brushing a strand of hair from Amara’s face. “You’ll make lots of friends, and you’ll learn so many new things.”
“Can I take my crayons?” Amara asked earnestly, her eyes wide with excitement.
Dante laughed. “Of course you can, princess.”
—
The next week was a whirlwind of activity as they visited different schools. Amara’s excitement grew with each visit, her curiosity boundless as she explored classrooms and playgrounds. Isla and Dante, however, were meticulous in their selection, wanting nothing but the best for their daughter.
Finally, they settled on a prestigious play school known for its nurturing environment and excellent staff. Amara was thrilled, already talking about the new adventures she would have.
On the morning of her first day, Isla woke up earlier than usual, her nerves on edge. She laid out Amara’s uniform, a cute little dress with the school’s emblem stitched onto the pocket.
Dante noticed her tension and pulled her into a hug. “She’ll be fine, Isla. You’re worrying too much.”
“I can’t help it,” she admitted, leaning into him. “What if she cries? What if she doesn’t like it?”
“She’ll love it,” Dante assured her, his voice steady. “And if she doesn’t, we’ll figure it out together.”
—
At the school gates, Amara clung to Isla’s hand, her usual confidence wavering.
“Mama, will you stay with me?” she asked, her voice small.
Isla crouched down, holding Amara’s face in her hands. “You’re going to have so much fun, my love. And I’ll be right here when your day is over.”
Dante joined them, kneeling beside Isla. “Be brave, princess. You’re going to do great.”
Amara looked between her parents, then nodded, a determined expression crossing her face. “Okay, I’ll be brave.”
Watching her walk into the school with her teacher was one of the hardest things Isla had ever done. She blinked back tears, her heart aching as she waved goodbye.
“She’ll be okay,” Dante said, wrapping an arm around her. “Come on, let’s go grab some coffee and distract ourselves.”
—
The hours dragged by as Isla and Dante waited for the school day to end. Isla checked her phone constantly, half-expecting a call from the school. Dante, ever the calming presence, kept her distracted with conversation and little jokes.
When it was finally time to pick Amara up, Isla’s nerves were back in full force. But when they arrived at the school, they were greeted by a beaming Amara, her face alight with excitement.
“Mama! Daddy! I made so many friends!” she exclaimed, running into their arms.
Relief washed over Isla as she hugged her daughter tightly. “I’m so proud of you, sweetheart.”
Dante ruffled Amara’s hair, his smile wide. “What did I tell you? Our girl’s a star.”
—
That evening, as they sat around the dinner table, Amara chattered nonstop about her day. She talked about her new friends, the games they played, and the stories her teacher told.
Isla and Dante listened, their hearts full. Despite their initial worries, everything had worked out better than they could have hoped.
As they tucked Amara into bed that night, Isla leaned down to kiss her forehead. “Goodnight, my brave girl.”
“Goodnight, Mama. Goodnight, Daddy,” Amara said, her voice soft as her eyes fluttered closed.
—
Later, as Isla and Dante lay in bed, she turned to him, her head resting on his chest.
“Thank you,” she said quietly.
“For what?” Dante asked, his fingers running through her hair.
“For always being my rock,” she replied. “For making everything okay.”
He kissed the top of her head, his voice full of warmth. “Always, love. You and Amara are my everything.”
As Isla drifted off to sleep, she felt a sense of contentment she hadn’t known in years. Their family was stronger than ever, and no matter what challenges lay ahead, she knew they would face them together.