The sun filtered through the sheer curtains in Ella’s living room as she sat on the couch, legs tucked under her. Ethan was seated across from her, casually leaning back in the chair. The twins were at school, Grace was spending the afternoon with Victor, and the house was quiet for once-a rarity that Ella had come to appreciate.
“Have you heard anything about Tania lately?” Ella asked, breaking the silence.
Ethan raised an eyebrow at the question but answered calmly. “Last I heard, she’s still at the facility. Her condition seems to have worsened, from what I’ve been told. The doctors say she’ll be there for a long time.”
Ella nodded, absorbing the news. She felt a pang of conflicted emotions-relief that Tania couldn’t harm them anymore, but also a sense of sorrow for the woman she once knew, now lost to her own demons.
Ethan leaned forward, his expression soft. “You don’t have to worry about her anymore, Ella. She’s out of the picture. Let’s focus on us, on the kids.”
Ella offered a small smile. “You’re right. It’s just… hard not to look over my shoulder sometimes.”
He reached out, taking her hand in his. “I’ll make sure you never have to feel that way again.”
Ethan seemed hesitant for a moment, as though weighing his words. Finally, he leaned back, exhaling a deep breath. “Well… there’s something I’ve been thinking about.”
Ella raised an eyebrow. “What’s that?”
He hesitated again, but then the words came out in a rush. “I think we should move in together.”
Ella blinked, caught off guard. “What?”
“I don’t want us to be separated anymore,” he said earnestly. “I want to wake up every morning knowing we’re all together under one roof. I want to see the kids grow up in the same house, not shuttling back and forth. And I want us-me and you-to have the life we always dreamed of. Please, Ella.”
She stared at him, her mind racing. It was a big step, one she hadn’t entirely considered. The past months had been about rebuilding, taking things slow. Moving in together would change everything.
Ethan must have sensed her hesitation. “I know it’s a lot to think about,” he added quickly. “But I’m ready for this, Ella. I know I’ve messed up before, but I won’t mess this up. I promise.”
Ella took a deep breath, her heart pounding. She thought about the kids-their joy during family outings, their excitement whenever Ethan was around. She thought about her own feelings, how much she still loved him despite everything.
Finally, she nodded. “Okay.”
Ethan’s face lit up, his smile so wide it was contagious. “Really?”
“Really,” Ella said with a small laugh. “But don’t make me regret this.”
“You won’t,” he promised, pulling her into a hug. “You won’t regret this for a second.”
That evening, they sat at the kitchen table, sketching out a plan. Ethan’s house was bigger, with more space for the kids to run around, so they decided it made the most sense to move in there.
“We’ll have to figure out the logistics,” Ella said, making notes in her planner. “There’s furniture to move, the kids’ rooms to set up, and I’ll need to go through all our stuff-”
“We’ll handle it together,” Ethan assured her. “One step at a time.”
Ella glanced at him, her lips curving into a smile. “You’re awfully optimistic about this.”
“I have every reason to be,” he said, leaning back in his chair. “This is what I’ve wanted for so long, Ella. I’m not going to let a few moving boxes ruin it.”
Later that afternoon, they headed to the school to pick up Liam, Leo, and Grace. The twins came bounding out first, their energy palpable even after a full day of classes.
“Mom! Dad!” Liam called, waving enthusiastically.
Leo was right behind him, grinning ear to ear. “Guess what? I got a gold star in art class today!”
“Great job, buddy,” Ethan said, high-fiving him.
Grace followed more calmly, holding her teacher’s hand. When she saw Ella and Ethan, her face lit up, and she ran toward them.
“Hi, sweetheart,” Ella said, scooping her up into a hug.
“Hi, Mommy. Hi, Daddy,” Grace said, her voice soft but cheerful.
As they walked to the car, Liam and Leo chattered non-stop about their day, while Grace contentedly held Ella’s hand. Ethan watched them, his heart full.
That evening, after dinner and some light-hearted games, Ethan and Ella sat the kids down in the living room.
“We have something to tell you,” Ella began, her tone warm but serious enough to get their attention.
Liam and Leo exchanged curious looks, while Grace snuggled up to Ethan on the couch.
“We’ve decided that we’re all going to live together,” Ethan said. “At my house.”
The twins’ faces lit up with excitement. “Really? All of us?” Leo asked.
“All of us,” Ella confirmed.
“Awesome!” Liam cheered. “Does that mean we’ll have more space to play?”
“And can we decorate our rooms?” Leo added.
Grace looked up at Ethan. “Will I still have my bed?”
“Of course,” Ethan said, ruffling her hair. “You’ll have your bed, your toys, and anything else you want.”
Ella smiled at their enthusiasm. It was clear the kids were thrilled about the idea.
Over the next few weeks, preparations for the move began. Ethan hired a moving company to help with the heavy lifting, while Ella focused on organizing and packing. The kids, ever eager to be involved, insisted on packing their own belongings-though Ella had to double-check their boxes to make sure they weren’t filled with random toys and snacks.
Victor, true to form, showed up to lend a hand. “I can’t believe you’re finally doing this,” he said as he helped Ethan load a box into the truck. “It’s about time.”
Ethan grinned. “You’re not going to miss being on constant uncle duty, are you?”
“Not a chance,” Victor said with a laugh. “But I’m happy for you, man. For all of you.”
The day they officially moved in together was chaotic but joyous. The kids ran around exploring the house, their laughter echoing through the halls. Ella felt a mix of exhaustion and relief as she stood in the living room, watching the movers bring in the last of their furniture.
Ethan came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. “We did it,” he said, his voice full of pride.
She leaned into him, smiling. “We did.”
As the evening wore on and the chaos began to settle, the family gathered in the living room for their first dinner together in the new house. The meal was simple-pizza and soda-but it felt perfect.
“To new beginnings,” Ethan said, raising his glass.
“To new beginnings,” Ella echoed, clinking her glass against his.
The kids joined in, their laughter filling the room. For the first time in a long time, it felt like everything was exactly as it should be.
Over the next few weeks, preparations for the move began. Ethan hired a moving company to help with the heavy lifting, while Ella focused on organizing and packing. The kids, ever eager to be involved, insisted on packing their own belongings-though Ella had to double-check their boxes to make sure they weren’t filled with random toys and snacks.
Victor, true to form, showed up to lend a hand. “I can’t believe you’re finally doing this,” he said as he helped Ethan load a box into the truck. “It’s about time.”
Ethan grinned. “You’re not going to miss being on constant uncle duty, are you?”
“Not a chance,” Victor said with a laugh. “But I’m happy for you, man. For all of you.”
The day they officially moved in together was chaotic but joyous. The kids ran around exploring the house, their laughter echoing through the halls. Ella felt a mix of exhaustion and relief as she stood in the living room, watching the movers bring in the last of their furniture.
Ethan came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. “We did it,” he said, his voice full of pride.
She leaned into him, smiling. “We did.”
As the evening wore on and the chaos began to settle, the family gathered in the living room for their first dinner together in the new house. The meal was simple-pizza and soda-but it felt perfect.
“To new beginnings,” Ethan said, raising his glass.
“To new beginnings,” Ella echoed, clinking her glass against his.
The kids joined in, their laughter filling the room. For the first time in a long time, it felt like everything was exactly as it should be.