Noah and Adrian's POV The morning sunlight streamed through our bedroom window, soft and golden, casting a warm glow over Adrian’s face as he lay beside me. His breathing was even and calm, the kind of peace I never thought I’d deserve after everything we’d been through. I reached over, brushing a stray strand of hair from his forehead, and smiled. This was my life now, quiet moments filled with love, safety, and the kind of happiness I used to think belonged to other people. Our house was awake with the familiar sounds of family life. I could hear Luca and Emilia laughing down the hall, their voices mingling with the clatter of breakfast dishes from the kitchen. The smell of pancakes drifted into the room, sweet and comforting. It was one of those rare mornings where everything felt simple, where we weren’t rushing anywhere or juggling a dozen different schedules. I lay there for a moment longer, soaking it in, before Adrian stirred and blinked up at me. His eyes were still heavy
Luca and Emilia's POV I have always loved traveling. There’s something magical about seeing places that were once only pictures in books or on a screen, about walking streets where the air smells different and everything feels new. Emilia loves it too, though in her own quieter way. While I crave the adventure, she seems to take it all in with wide eyes and soft smiles, always noticing the little details, the colors of the flowers in a market, the texture of an old stone wall, the way a local family gathers at a park. Our parents made travel a tradition for our family, and every year we go somewhere new. This time, it was a coastal town, full of winding streets and salty air. From the moment we arrived, I could feel the excitement buzzing in my chest. The ocean stretched endlessly before us, its waves crashing in a rhythm that seemed to match my heartbeat. Emilia stood beside me on the first morning, her dark hair pulled into a braid that hung over her shoulder, her eyes fixed on
Adrian's POV The evening sunlight streamed through the tall windows, casting golden rays across our living room and painting everything in warm shades of orange and red. I sat quietly on the couch, watching as Noah built a block tower with Luca and Emilia on the rug. Their laughter filled the room like music, blending with the faint hum of the summer breeze outside. It was a simple moment, so ordinary and unremarkable on the surface, yet it felt monumental to me. There was a time when I used to wonder if we would ever get here, if we would ever find the peace we so desperately craved. I used to lie awake at night, staring at the ceiling, praying for a life where happiness wasn’t something fleeting or fragile. Looking at Noah now, his strong hands carefully steadying Emilia’s wobbly tower as she giggled, I realized that prayer had been answered a hundred times over. I leaned back into the couch, my journal resting on my lap, untouched for now. These quiet evenings were my favorite,
Adrian's POV The morning sunlight streamed softly through our bedroom curtains, painting golden streaks across the walls. I woke up to the sound of Noah’s gentle breathing beside me, his arm loosely draped over my waist. For a moment, I lay there still, savoring the peace of our quiet home. Life had been moving at a whirlwind pace these past few months, and this, these simple, slow mornings, were what grounded me. My latest book had been released three weeks ago, and in that short time, it had become something I never dared dream of, a bestseller. I had been proud of my past books, of course, but this one felt different. It was deeply personal, rooted in the love, struggles, and triumphs that Noah and I had shared in building our family. It wasn’t just my story, it was ours, and the world seemed to resonate with it in ways that humbled me. As I carefully slipped out of bed, trying not to wake Noah, I could already hear the faint voices of Luca and Emilia in the kitchen. Their laug
Adrian's POV The days began to blur into one another, not because they were uneventful, but because they were so beautifully ordinary. There was a rhythm to our lives now, a steady pulse of love, laughter, and quiet moments that stitched together the fabric of our family. Each morning started the same way, with the soft sunlight streaming through the curtains and Noah’s warm hand reaching for mine before either of us even opened our eyes. It was a simple gesture, yet it anchored me in ways I could never fully explain. Emilia’s soft giggles would usually follow, drifting down the hall as she tried to wake Luca before breakfast. Sometimes they would come running into our room, bouncing on the bed and demanding that Noah and I get up and make pancakes. Other times, they would be found curled up together in the living room, already building towers with blocks or sketching pictures with crayons scattered around them. These were the moments that brought me the deepest sense of purpose.
Noah and Adrian's POV The morning of the celebration dawned bright and warm, sunlight spilling through the curtains of our bedroom like a soft promise. It was one of those rare mornings when everything felt perfectly aligned, like the universe itself was smiling on us. Adrian and I woke up early, not out of necessity, but because our excitement wouldn’t let us rest. Today wasn’t just another gathering. Today, we were opening our home to friends, family, and neighbors, welcoming everyone who had walked alongside us in our journey. As I stretched, Adrian rolled toward me, his hair tousled, his face still creased from sleep. His sleepy smile was enough to make my heart skip, even after all these years. “Big day,” he murmured, his voice rough with morning. “The biggest,” I said, leaning down to kiss his forehead. “Ready to host a full house?” He laughed softly, rubbing his eyes. “As ready as I’ll ever be. Though, between you and me, I think the kids are more excited than either of us