"Nancy, you're good now, you can go play with the rest of your siblings," Elara said, scooping a pile of horse manure into a bucket we used for our bonfires.
"Hey Elara, where's Bella?" I asked as I walked up, pressing a long, passionate kiss to her lips that made my feet tingle.
"I think she might be with Granny Liz," she replied, setting the shovel down by Silver Boat, our grey horse. Elara gave Silver a gentle scratch behind the ears.
I ran my hands over the mare's soft muzzle, and she snorted softly, leaning into . "You're such a good girl," I whispered.
"And the kids?" I asked, tilting my head toward Elara.
"They're busy," she said, glancing around the yard. "Lily, Violet, and Nancy are playing outside. Tyler's napping, and Emma and Claire are reading, I think."
I still couldn't believe it—I had six children: three from Bella—Violet, Emma, and Claire—and three from Elara—Nancy, Lily, and Tyler, our only boy.
Luckily, he was going to be hoschooled, so he wouldn't have to deal with all the nonsense I had growing up.
I smiled, taking in the scene: Silver Boat snorting softly, the kids playing, and Elara by my side.
Elara and I walked toward the house, the warm sumr sun bouncing off the pool water and glinting across the deck.
As we approached, I saw Lily, her brown hair plastered to her forehead and shoulders, screaming with pure delight as she cannonballed into the pool. The splash was massive, water flying everywhere, droplets catching the sunlight like tiny diamonds.
Not to be outdone, Violet dove in right after, her blonde hair instantly soaking, shimring wet in the sun.
"Be careful, kids. We don't want you drowning like Claire did..." I called out, my voice a mixture of concern and old, haunting mory. That day still made shiver, and I hadn't let Claire anywhere near the pool since. I couldn't risk losing her.
"We're good, Papa! We're big girls now!" Violet yelled, splashing water at Lily. They squealed, laughing, and wrestled each other playfully, their wet hair sticking to their faces.
I shook my head with a small smile, folding the fluffy towels they had left draped over the poolside chairs. "Nope, you're both eight. Still little girls," I said, shaking my head as I placed the towels neatly.
Then Bella appeared, stepping out onto the sun-drenched deck. Her toned fra and golden skin glowed in the sunlight, the fitted white beater she wore clinging just enough to hint at her curves and muscle.
I couldn't help the rush of heat in my chest. Hot days like this were dangerous for .
"Hey, darling..." she said, sauntering toward with a confident smile. Before I could even think, she pressed her lips to mine in a long, passionate kiss, hands resting on my shoulders.
"Ew!!!" Lily and Violet shouted in unison, faces scrunching in mock disgust.
"Oh yeah? How about this?" I said, grinning as I pulled Bella close again, our lips eting in another heated kiss. Water splashed around as the girls playfully gagged and laughed beside us.
"Nancy would probably throw up if she saw this," Violet muttered, shaking her head in faux horror.
"Speaking of her... where is she—" I trailed off as my eyes caught a familiar sight. Twelve-year-old Nancy was tearing around the land on the dirt bike Elara had gotten her last Christmas, kicking up little clouds of dust with every turn.
I exhaled, half-laughing, half-in-awe. They grow up so fast...
I walked inside our ho, letting out a long breath as the cool air from the AC washed over , instantly chasing away the heat that had clung to my skin outside.
It felt amazing, like my body could finally relax again. The house was quiet in that comfortable, lived-in way—no chaos, just soft sounds and calm.
Elara was already changed, stretched out on the couch with one arm resting over the back cushion, looking completely at ease. In the corner of the living room, Emma and Claire sat cross-legged on the rug, books spread out in front of them.
Emma was focused, brows furrowed as she read, while Claire quietly worked through her howork, pencil tapping lightly every now and then. Liz really had done an incredible job teaching them—patient, thorough, and gentle in a way I always admired.
"Hey, girls," I said softly, not wanting to break their concentration too much.
"Hi, Papa," they replied almost in unison, their voices warm and familiar.
That word—Papa—still did sothing to every single ti. A warm, fuzzy feeling blood in my chest, spreading outward until it made my throat tighten just a little. No matter how many tis I heard it, it never stopped feeling special.
Emma and Nancy were the first kids we had. I leaned against the wall for a mont, watching the girls work, and couldn't help but think about how fast everything had gone. Too fast, almost.
One mont they were small enough to sit in my arms, and now they were reading on their own, doing howork, growing into themselves right in front of .
Ti really didn't wait for anyone.
I flopped down onto the couch beside Elara, the cushions sinking under my weight, and Bella joined us a mont later. Without even thinking about it, I shifted until I was settled right between them like I always was.
It was instinct at this point—my place, my constant. Elara's warmth at my side, Bella's presence anchoring on the other. Safe. Complete.
I glanced down at my hands resting on my lap, turning them slightly. The two rings caught the light from the window, one on each ring finger, familiar and reassuring. Sotis I still couldn't believe they were really there, that this life was actually mine.
Soft footsteps padded down the stairs, and I looked up just in ti to see Tyler coming into view. Our ten-year-old shuffled forward, hair a ss, eyes half-closed as he yawned wide enough to show all his teeth.
"Hi, Mama's... hi, Papa," he mumbled, voice thick with sleep, barely slowing as he passed us.
"Hey, buddy," we said, smiling as he wandered straight toward the kitchen, clearly on a mission.
I didn't even have to guess what for.
"Papa!" he called out from the kitchen, cabinet doors opening and closing. "Are you making pizza tonight?"
"Yeah!" I answered back without hesitation.
That was all it took. I heard a small, satisfied hum from him, and I smiled to myself. Sohow, all my kids had inherited that sa deep, unquestionable love for pizza. Couldn't be prouder.
I leaned back, resting my head against Elara's shoulder, her presence solid and calming. Bella's hand slid naturally onto my thigh, fingers warm, grounding even further. I let out a slow breath, my body completely relaxed, heart full in a way words never really did justice.
Right here. Like this.
I could die happy.
End.
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Thank you all so fucking much for reading my story, I really enjoyed making this and I'm hoping you guys enjoyed reading this, I love you all and stay tuned for the next story I'll be making.
Once again, I love you all.
— Jesu/dayofdarkness666
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