Chapter Forty Six

Chapter Forty-Six

The gender reveal party rapidly became much bigger than anyone intended.

Which surprised absolutely nobody.

Especially not Daisy.

Because Roman had somehow turned "a small family gathering" into an event that required spreadsheets.

Actual spreadsheets.

"It's a party."

Daisy stared at him.

Roman looked up from his laptop.

"Yes."

"So why do you have spreadsheets?"

Roman looked offended.

"Organisation."

"It's balloons and cake."

"It's logistics."

Daisy laughed.

From the couch, Harper pointed dramatically.

"This is why we should have planned it."

Roman looked horrified.

"You cried over napkin colours last week."

"Those napkins were ugly."

Noah immediately stood up.

"I'm not getting involved."

The smartest decision he'd made all day.

The reveal was planned for the end of October.

Just a few weeks away.

Close family.

Close friends.

Nothing huge.

At least that was the official plan.

The reality was slightly different.

Roman had rented a beautiful venue overlooking the Hudson.

Harper had organised decorations.

Noah had organised food.

Daisy had attempted to stop everyone.

Failed.

Completely.

Meanwhile life carried on.

The houses were nearly finished.

The gardens were looking beautiful.

And Lillie had officially learned how to stand.

Which was causing problems.

Many problems.

"Roman."

"What?"

"Your daughter is climbing."

Roman looked over.

Lillie was holding onto a chair.

Looking extremely pleased with herself.

Roman immediately looked proud.

Daisy looked terrified.

The difference summed up parenting perfectly.

One afternoon the whole family gathered at the new houses.

Painters had finally left.

Furniture was mostly in place.

Everything felt real now.

Home.

Across the street, Harper stood in her nursery.

Well.

One of the nurseries.

Because twins required planning.

Lots of planning.

Noah appeared beside her.

Quietly.

Watching her.

"What?"

He smiled.

"Nothing."

"You were staring."

"I was."

Harper rolled her eyes.

Yet smiled anyway.

Because lately Noah had been looking at her like she'd hung the moon.

Twins had apparently made him emotional.

Again.

Across the street, Roman found Daisy standing in the garden.

Watching Lillie toddle between pieces of outdoor furniture while holding onto things for balance.

The sight made both parents nervous.

And proud.

Mostly nervous.

Roman slipped an arm around Daisy's waist.

She leaned against him automatically.

For a while they simply watched.

The autumn leaves drifting gently across the grass.

Their daughter laughing.

The future waiting.

Everything felt peaceful.

Then Roman spoke.

Quietly.

"You know what I keep thinking?"

Daisy looked up.

"What?"

"A year ago I didn't know you existed."

Her heart softened instantly.

Roman smiled.

"A year ago I didn't know Lillie existed."

Daisy squeezed his hand.

Neither spoke for a moment.

Because it was true.

Everything had changed so quickly.

So completely.

Yet somehow it felt right.

Like this was always where they were meant to end up.

A squeal interrupted the moment.

Lillie.

Standing proudly in the middle of the grass.

Completely unsupported.

For the first time.

Both parents froze.

Neither moved.

Neither breathed.

Lillie looked delighted.

Then—

took a step.

One tiny step.

Followed by another.

Then immediately sat down.

Hard.

Silence.

Complete silence.

Daisy blinked.

Roman blinked.

Then together:

"Did she just walk?"

Lillie laughed.

As though she'd done something hilarious.

Roman was already halfway across the garden.

Daisy right behind him.

Because their baby girl had just taken her first steps.

And suddenly nothing else mattered.

Not houses.

Not parties.

Not gender reveals.

Not even the three babies on the way.

Just Lillie.

And the tiny little steps that somehow felt like the biggest moment in the world. ❤️📖