Serena’s POV
The morning sunlight stread through the windows as I dressed Vivian in her little denim overalls. The sight of her kicking her legs excitedly and cooing made my heart swell with joy.
"Soone’s in a good mood today," Ryan remarked, leaning against the doorfra of the nursery. His hair was still slightly damp from his shower, and the casual button-down shirt he wore was a refreshing change from his usual business attire.
"She knows we’re going out," I replied, scooping our daughter up. "Don’t you, sweetie? You know Mommy and Daddy are taking you shopping today."
Ryan approached us, his expression softening as Vivian imdiately reached for him. "I still can’t believe how much she’s grown in just these few months," he said, taking her from my arms with practiced ease. "None of her clothes fit properly anymore."
I smiled, watching them together. "That’s what happens when you have a healthy, growing baby. Though I suspect Margaret has been sneaking her extra servings of that organic baby food you special ordered."
"Only the best for our princess," Ryan responded without a hint of apology, placing a gentle kiss on Vivian’s forehead.
"The car’s ready whenever we are," Ryan said, bouncing Vivian gently in his arms. "I’ve cleared my schedule until three."
I raised an eyebrow. "Ryan Blackwood taking a morning off work for a family shopping trip? The board would have a collective heart attack if they knew."
His lips curved into that half-smile that never failed to quicken my pulse. "Let them. So things are more important than quarterly reports."
An hour later, we were walking through an exclusive children’s boutique on Fifth Avenue, with Vivian perched comfortably in her stroller.
"What about this one?" I held up a pale yellow sundress with delicate embroidered flowers along the hem.
"Beautiful," Ryan nodded approvingly. "Though she’ll probably wear it once before outgrowing it."
"Then we’d better take photos," I laughed, adding it to our growing collection.
As I moved through the racks of children’s clothing, I felt Ryan’s eyes on , his gaze warming my skin even from across the store. When I glanced up, he was watching with an intensity that made my cheeks flush.
"What?" I asked softly, moving back to his side.
"Nothing," he murmured, but his fingers brushed mine as I reached for the stroller handle. "Just enjoying the view."
The saleswoman approached us with a professional smile. "Finding everything alright, Mr. and Mrs. Blackwood?"
"Yes, thank you," I replied.
"Your daughter is absolutely gorgeous," the woman continued, bending slightly to smile at Vivian, who responded with a happy gurgle. "She has your eyes, Mrs. Blackwood, and her father’s smile."
I felt a surge of pride that surprised with its intensity. "Thank you."
After selecting what seed like enough clothing to dress ten babies, we paused at the store’s small café area for refreshnts. Vivian sat contentedly on Ryan’s lap, fascinated by the silver spoon he let her hold.
"We should take a photo," I suggested, pulling out my phone. "To commorate Vivian’s first proper shopping spree."
Ryan nodded, shifting Vivian in his arms as I prepared to snap the picture. Just as I was about to take it, a passing shopper offered to take one of all three of us.
"That would be lovely, thank you," I said, handing over my phone.
Ryan’s arm slid around my waist, drawing closer as Vivian sat between us, her tiny hands clapping together in delight. The stranger took several shots, capturing not just our poses but the spontaneous monts—Ryan tickling Vivian’s chin, my laughter as she grabbed for my necklace, the three of us looking at each other rather than the cara.
When I scrolled through the photos afterward, my breath caught in my throat. We looked like... a family. A real, loving family—not the coldly cordial arrangent our marriage had once been.
"Send those," Ryan said quietly, looking over my shoulder at the images. His thumb stroked small circles on my hip where his hand still rested. "Especially that one."
He pointed to a photo where I was gazing down at Vivian with unmistakable adoration while Ryan looked at both of us, his expression so tender it made my heart clench.
"I will," I promised, my voice slightly unsteady.
We finished our shopping expedition with bags full of new clothes, toys, and even a few items for ourselves—Ryan had insisted on buying a silk scarf that matched my eyes, despite my protests that we were supposed to be shopping for Vivian.
By the ti we arrived ho, Vivian was drowsy from all the excitent, her little eyelids drooping as I carried her into the house.
"I’ll take her to Margaret," Ryan offered, carefully lifting our daughter from my arms. "She’s due for her nap anyway."
I nodded gratefully, suddenly aware of my own fatigue from the morning’s activities. "I’ll unpack these bags in the anti."
Margaret, Vivian’s devoted nanny, greeted us in the hallway with her customary warm smile. "Had a good outing, did we?" she asked, already reaching for Vivian.
"Very productive," Ryan replied, transferring our sleepy daughter to her capable hands. "She should sleep well after all that stimulation."
"I’ll see to it she has a proper rest," Margaret assured us. "You two take so ti for yourselves. You’ve both been working so hard lately."
With a knowing smile that made wonder exactly what she was implying, Margaret carried Vivian off to the nursery, leaving Ryan and I alone in the entrance hall.
I turned toward the shopping bags, intending to sort through our purchases, when I felt Ryan’s hands on my shoulders from behind.
"Leave those," he murmured, his breath warm against my ear. "They can wait."
A delicious shiver ran down my spine as his fingers trailed down my arms. "Ryan—"
Before I could finish my sentence, he turned to face him, his eyes dark with an emotion I recognized imdiately. My breath hitched as his gaze dropped to my lips.
"I’ve been wanting to do this all morning," he confessed, his voice low and rough with desire. "Watching you with Vivian, seeing you smile... do you have any idea what you do to , Serena?"
Without waiting for my response, he swept into his arms in one fluid motion, cradling against his chest as if I weighed nothing at all. I gasped, my arms instinctively circling his neck.
"Ryan! What are you doing?" I laughed breathlessly.
"Taking my wife to our bedroom," he answered simply, already striding up the grand staircase. "Unless you have objections?"
The heat in his gaze sent warmth flooding through . "No objections," I whispered, tightening my arms around his neck.
The journey to our bedroom seed both endless and too brief. When he finally kicked the door shut behind us and set gently on my feet, his hands remained at my waist, drawing closer.
"Do you know how difficult it’s been," he murmured, his lips brushing my temple, "having you back ho, sharing our bed, and trying to be a gentleman?"
I smiled up at him, trailing my fingers along the line of his jaw. "I wasn’t aware you were trying to be a gentleman, Mr. Blackwood."
His answering laugh was low and sensual. "I’ve been patient, Serena. I wanted to give you ti after your trip. But seeing you today with our daughter, watching you laugh..." His fingers traced my cheek with reverence. "I can’t wait any longer."
"Then don’t," I whispered, rising on my tiptoes to press my lips to his.
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