–Damon–
Lore’s mother, Yolanda, was sitting by the bed, watching over her son as he slept peacefully. The steady rhythm of the heart monitor blended with the low hum of the air conditioner, the room slling faintly of antiseptic and warm food. I set down the trays Chef Wally had prepared—simple, nourishing als for Lore and Yolanda—then lowered myself onto the sofa and exhaled slowly.
"Well, he sounded excited about it," I said, breaking the quiet. Yolanda laughed softly.
"He wanted to experience that one," she replied, amusent in her voice. "I don’t think he expected this outco."
We both glanced up when the door opened. Alyssa stepped in with Mom trailing behind her.
"Lore!" Alyssa rushed forward dramatically and grabbed his shoulders, shaking him.
"Ow!" Lore reacted instantly, batting her hands away.
"Oh, you’re alive." Alyssa placed a plushie on his chest with exaggerated calm. "Good to know." Then she turned, scanning the room. "You must be Lore’s sister."
Yolanda giggled and waved her off before pulling Alyssa into a hug.
"You silly girl. I’m his mom."
Alyssa froze. No dramatics this ti—just pure shock. She slowly turned to Lore.
"Are you kidding ?"
"Guys, just—chat outside!" Lore groaned.
"Hush, Lore." Alyssa raised a finger at him. I scoffed quietly, shaking my head. "Your mom and I are going to talk. You should rest more so you can get discharged."
Lore shot a look and gestured weakly toward them.
"There’s a café downstairs," I suggested.
"Oh, perfect." Yolanda grabbed her purse. "Lore, you can take care of yourself, right?"
"Yes," he grumbled. "Just leave."
They chatted all the way out, their voices fading into the hallway. Monts later, Mom slipped back in. She bent down, kissed Lore’s forehead, and smiled softly.
"Sleep well."
She left just as quietly, leaving the room to Lore and .
I stood and walked closer to the bed.
"So," I said evenly, "do you like my sister?"
His brows knitted. "Huh?"
"I see the way you look at her." I crossed my arms.
"For God’s sake, brother," he muttered. "I need a break."
Before I could respond, there was a knock. The door opened slowly, and two nurses wearing masks stepped in. My breath caught for a fraction of a second.
I smiled as I moved forward, already recognizing her posture, her presence. My wife. She peeled off her mask, and I kissed her without hesitation. She slled like clean linen and faint antiseptic.
"Oh, please," Lore complained, but I wrapped my arms around her anyway.
"I missed you," I murmured, fingers brushing her ponytail—black hair, spray-dyed, cool and unfamiliar beneath my touch.
"I already texted Yolanda," my mother-in-law said calmly as she approached Lore. "They’ll head back once they order their coffee."
She tilted her head. "So, Lore. How was your experience being kidnapped?"
"Thrilling," he replied dryly. "Until I got hit in the head and passed out a few tis."
"Hm. Interesting."
I pulled my wife down onto the sofa and onto my lap, holding her close, grounding myself in her warmth. We stayed like that—soft kisses, quiet closeness—until the door suddenly opened again. She buried her face against my neck instinctively.
Giggles spilled into the room. Mom gasped.
"Damon! What the hell!" she exclaid.
I chuckled, my hand instinctively settling at Livana’s waist.
"Damon," Mom hissed.
"Liva?" Alyssa called.
Livana lifted her head, smiling openly now. She sat up, revealing herself fully.
Mom nearly dropped her coffee—Yolanda caught it just in ti.
"Hi, Mommy," Livana said as she crossed the room and hugged her.
"Li—vy..." Mom wrapped her arms around her, kissing her cheeks. "It’s really you..."
"Wow," Lore muttered, "this room is emotionally hazardous." His mother smacked his arm.
"Ow."
Livana wiped her tears and gestured toward the other nurse—her mother.
Mom froze.
"Ines?" Her hand flew to her mouth. "Is that really you?"
"Yes." Ines hugged her tightly, whispering sothing that made Mom tremble.
Livana returned to my side. Alyssa sat beside her imdiately, clinging to her, and just like that, Livana forgot about entirely. They talked animatedly while Ines tried to calm Mom.
"So this is Alyssa?" Ines smiled warmly.
Mom hugged her again, still stunned.
"You’ve grown so beautiful, Alyssa," Ines said. "I bet boys can’t take their eyes off you."
Alyssa shrugged. "I don’t think so."
"You never notice," Ines chuckled, squeezing Mom’s hand.
"I can’t wait for us to go shopping," Mom sniffled.
"Can I sleep now?" Lore groaned. "You turned my VIP room into a reunion hall."
We all laughed.
Lore really is sothing. And if my sister ever falls in love with him... I hope he gives her far more than she deserves.
–Laura–
Taking care of twins all on my own? Sure, it’s tiring. Exhausting, even.
But taking care of three kids (the other one is my nephew)?
Yeah... I’m suddenly having second thoughts about baby number three.
Zayvier can be a good boy—sotis. But boys will always find a way to ss up girls’ toys. And Sky? Oh, he follows right behind him like a loyal little troublemaker. I ended up reprimanding both of them, hands already aching from picking up blocks and cars.
They’re both an adorable pain in the ass.
"Okay," I said firmly, placing my left hand on my hip while pointing at the disaster zone, "pick it all up. Put everything back where it used to be."
Thankfully, they obeyed imdiately. Their little faces fell as they apologized for knocking over Zendy’s dollhouse. Damien had just arrived, and he and Commander White were already kneeling on the floor, carefully fixing the damage.
"I’m sowee," Sky said in the cutest, softest voice imaginable as he handed over his favorite mini car to Zendaya.
Zendaya took it... then raised one perfectly sculpted brow.
"Are you?"
The room went dead silent.
She said it so clearly—so sharply—that it sounded like a sassy teenage girl had possessed my toddler.
None of us spoke for a good few seconds.
"Sowee," Sky repeated, wrapping his arms around her, kissing her cheeks, and patting her head apologetically.
I slowly turned toward Damien and Commander White.
"Did I hear that wrong?" I whispered.
Commander White cleared his throat. "That... sassy girl surely knows her words."
We all struggled to hold our laughter. Throats were cleared. Faces were straightened.
"I’m going to—" I cut myself off, covering my mouth as I rushed into the kitchen, laughter finally spilling out.
Damien followed shortly after, laughing just as hard.
"What the hell," he chuckled. "She’s just like you."
I raised my left brow instinctively.
"What?"
"Look!" He pointed, laughing harder. "You just did it."
He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled close. "I love you."
"Really?" I sneered playfully.
"Why not?" He kissed my forehead.
"Alright," I said with a sigh. "I’ll make the burgers you love. You take care of our babies."
"Got it."
He kissed my lips before heading back to the living room—which had officially transford into a full-blown playroom.
I prepared everything carefully: wagyu beef, fresh vegetables, and sweet potatoes sliced perfectly for fries. By the ti I was done, everything else had fallen into place too. The dollhouse looked brand new again, and Commander White was patiently teaching the kids how to paint it. They were having the ti of their lives.
"Snack’s here!" I announced.
Sky dropped his paintbrush instantly.
Always the first in line when food is involved.
I wiped his hands and helped him onto his small chair, perfectly sized for him. The twins followed, hands wiped, chairs pulled out neatly.
"Taykyuu, Mommy!" Zayvier said as I kissed his forehead.
"Thank youuu, Mommy," Zendaya said sweetly, smiling as I kissed her nose.
The adults needed real portions. Commander White finally sat down, inspecting his burger before taking a bite.
"One of the best, Madam," he said with a nod.
"I agree," my husband added as he took my hand and led to the table, making sure I ate first.
That gesture—every single ti—wins over.
He always thinks of . From als, to little things he picks up at the store just because he knows I’d like them.
People might think it’s just a fantasy. But my mother taught to marry a man who thinks of you first. Not just responsibility. Not just care.
Love.
Devotion.
A man who chooses you—every ti.
That’s one of the many reasons I love him.
But mostly... I love him simply because I love him.
"Mommy!" Sky approached , holding up his empty plate. "Nomnom."
Damien and I were just about to steal a quiet mont—a kiss—when my sweet, sweet nephew demanded round two.
"Okay, baby," I laughed. "Sure."
"I think we should keep it light this ti," Damien said, bending down and gently tapping Sky’s belly. "It’s full, Sky. Are you really that hungry?"
"Nomnom," Sky insisted, pointing at his stomach.
I couldn’t help it—I laughed in pure adoration. Just wow. My precious little Sky is too adorable.
I fixed him a small plate: a piece of chocolate, a few sweet potato fries, and a small slice of at.
"Taykuu... love you," he said, flashing his adorable little teeth.
My heart clenched. I pressed a hand to my chest and pouted.
"I love you too, Sky."
He ran back into the playroom, happy as ever.
Damien hugged from behind.
"Why are you so emotional?" he asked softly, wiping away tears I didn’t even realize had fallen.
"Liva raised Sky," I whispered. "Even though they were apart most of the ti. Jane too... and yet Sky turned out so beautiful. So loved."
I sniffled and leaned into him. He rubbed my back and kissed my cheeks gently.
"Yes," he murmured. "We’re ready for baby number three."
I frowned—then froze.
Wait.
...What?
Does he an...
I’m pregnant?
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