Noah and Adrian's POV The morning of our anniversary felt different, like the world itself knew we were celebrating. Sunlight streamed through the curtains, warm and golden, spilling across our bed. Noah’s arm was draped over my waist, his chest pressed against my back, his breathing steady and calm. For a moment, I stayed still, listening to the quiet rhythm of our life. Outside, I could hear Luca and Emilia’s laughter as they played in the yard. The sound made my heart swell. This was our family, our life, built from pieces of pain, healing, and unshakable love. I turned in Noah’s arms to face him. His eyes were still closed, but a small smile tugged at his lips. “Happy anniversary,” I whispered softly. His eyes opened slowly, warm and full of that love that always seemed to undo me. “Happy anniversary, love,” he murmured, brushing a kiss to my forehead. “Another year of you, of us, of this beautiful life we’ve built.” I kissed him, lingering there, savoring the taste of him, t
Adrian and Noah's POV The evening sky was painted in hues of gold and pink, the last rays of the sun streaming through our living room windows as we sat together, surrounded by the quiet hum of our home. Our life had taken on a rhythm we both cherished, a balance we had worked hard to build. Emilia was in her room, humming softly as she played with her dolls, while Luca sat on the couch reading a book he had just picked out from the library. It was moments like these that reminded us of just how far we had come. Life’s challenges had come and gone, as they always did, testing us, pushing us, sometimes leaving scars that ran deep. Yet, here we were, still standing, still loving, still whole. There had been storms that threatened to rip us apart, moments when the weight of it all felt too heavy to bear. But every single time, we came back to each other, to the love that had been the foundation of everything we built. I glanced over at Noah, who sat beside me on the couch, his arm dr
Adrian's POV The house was finally quiet. The kind of quiet that came only after a long, full day where everyone had given every ounce of energy they had. Luca and Emilia were asleep in their rooms, the soft hum of their little nightlights filtering through the barely open doors. Even Noah had settled down beside me on the couch, his hand resting warmly over mine, his thumb idly brushing over my knuckles. It was late, almost too late for us to still be awake, but neither of us was ready to let the day go just yet. There was something comforting about these moments when the world outside seemed distant, and all that existed was this home we had built with our own hands, our own love. I glanced over at Noah, taking in the familiar lines of his face, the way his eyes seemed softer in this light. There was a peacefulness to him tonight, but I knew that behind it lived a history, memories that once haunted both of us. We had faced so much to get here, to this very moment, and it felt s
Adrian and Noah's POV The house was filled with the sound of laughter and the sweet chaos of family life. The scent of cinnamon rolls drifted through the air from the kitchen, mingling with the crisp morning breeze that filtered in through the open windows. Luca and Emilia were sitting cross-legged on the living room rug, coloring a large sheet of paper together, their heads bent close, whispering and giggling in that way only siblings could. I stood beside Noah, my arm wrapped loosely around his waist as I took in the scene. It was moments like this, quiet and unassuming, that reminded me of how far we had come. There had been storms, heartbreak, sleepless nights, and trials that had tested us in every possible way. Yet here we were, together, our little family thriving in a world we had once been unsure we would even survive. “This feels good,” Noah murmured, pressing a soft kiss to the side of my head. His voice was low, warm, like honey over gravel. “It does,” I agreed, leani
Noah's POV The morning sun streamed through the windows, spilling warm light across the kitchen as I sat at the table with a cup of coffee in hand. The soft murmur of my family filled the room, a sound that always grounded me, no matter what challenges lay ahead. Adrian hummed softly as he prepared breakfast, his back turned to me, while Luca and Emilia chattered excitedly about their plans for the day. It felt surreal to think about how far things had come, not just for our family, but for me personally. When I’d first started my small training program for young veterans, it had been nothing more than an idea, a way to give back, to create a safe space for those who had walked similar paths to mine. Back then, I hadn’t envisioned it becoming something larger than our small community center. But now, standing on the edge of something so much bigger, I felt both proud and overwhelmed. Today was the culmination of years of effort. Representatives from across the country had come to
Adrian and Noah's POV The house was alive with laughter and warmth, the kind of noise that filled not just the walls but our hearts too. Over the years, our family had grown in ways we never could have predicted. It wasn’t just the four of us anymore. It was friends who had become brothers and sisters to us, mentors who had guided us, and neighbors who had shown up in moments we hadn’t expected. Our definition of family had expanded far beyond blood, and every single soul who stepped through our front door carried a piece of it. We had worked hard to build a safe space where love came first, and today was proof of that. The kitchen smelled of freshly baked bread and spices, and the dining table was covered in food brought by everyone, dishes shared with love. Luca and Emilia ran through the hallways, their giggles echoing like music while Noah and I stood back, watching as our friends filled the room with chatter and joy. “This,” Noah said softly beside me, his hand brushing mine.