CHAPTER 78: First Day Jitters

The morning was crisp, the kind of fall air that hinted at change without fully giving it away. Sunlight filtered softly through the curtains, painting golden stripes across the floor. I lay in bed a few moments longer, listening to the faint hum of the city waking outside our window. Lucian, as always, was already awake, the steady rise and fall of his chest beside me, calm and unwavering as a rock in the tide of morning chaos.

I rolled over and caught his gaze. “Ready for today?” I whispered.

He smiled faintly, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “I’ve been ready since last night,” he murmured, voice low, protective. “But… you?”

I took a deep breath. “I’m ready. Nervous, but ready.”

He pressed a kiss to my forehead. “We’ll get through it. Together.”

Downstairs, the house was already alive. Aria, Arianna, and Arian were each buzzing with excitement—and nerves, though they tried not to show it. Cassian was halfway through building what he called a “morning morale fortress” out of cushions, blankets, and anything else within reach, while Adrian stood in the corner with arms crossed, silently observing. My father was perched at the kitchen island, sipping coffee and trying to give an aura of calm that was undermined by the jittery energy of three small girls.

“Girls,” I called, crouching to their level, “today is a big day. Your first day of school. You’re going to do amazing.”

Aria bounced on her toes. “Will there be crayons?”

“Yes,” I said. “And notebooks. And… the most important part—learning and having fun.”

Arianna hugged a stuffed animal to her chest. “Will the other kids like me?”

I smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her forehead. “Of course they will. You’re amazing. And we’ll be right here if you need us.”

Arian, the practical one, adjusted her backpack straps and said logically, “I have reviewed my schedule and planned my first-day strategy. Efficiency is key.”

Cassian dramatically gasped. “Efficiency? Hah! CHAOS will win today! Remember, young warriors!”

Adrian muttered something about idiots under his breath, while my father chuckled softly.

Lucian knelt beside me. “You ready to make the trek to school?”

I nodded. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

The ride to school was predictably chaotic. Aria poked her head out the window, squealing at every dog, bird, and car she could see. Arianna attempted to narrate the entire neighborhood in detail, while Arian checked her watch for timing efficiency. Cassian had taken up the role of “morale officer,” loudly declaring motivational speeches to the girls, while Adrian sat rigidly, face pressed against the window, silently calculating the probability of traffic delays.

Lucian drove with calm precision, eyes forward, hands steady on the wheel. Every once in a while, he would glance at me and offer a small, reassuring smile, grounding me amid the whirlwind of first-day jitters.

When we arrived at the school, the parking lot was already a symphony of parent nerves, squeaky sneakers, and the occasional distant shout. The girls practically flew out of the car, dragging backpacks that seemed almost comically large for their small frames.

Aria immediately gravitated toward the playground, pointing out swings and slides. Arianna paused, carefully observing the other children, evaluating potential friends and allies. Arian marched with precision to the entrance, ready to tackle the day strategically.

I knelt beside them, smoothing their hair and offering last-minute encouragement. “Remember,” I said softly, “be kind. Be brave. And above all… have fun. Mommy and Daddy are right here if you need us.”

Lucian crouched on the other side, mirroring my actions. “And remember, warriors,” he added, his voice low but firm, “you are strong. You are smart. And you are unstoppable.”

Aria threw her arms around him. “I’m unstoppable!” she declared proudly. Arianna followed, and Arian gave a small, polite nod of approval.

Cassian, of course, loudly announced, “GO FORTH, WARRIORS! CONQUER THE LAND OF EDUCATION!”

Adrian muttered, “Please stop yelling.”

Inside the classroom, the girls hesitated at the threshold. Teachers welcomed them with warm smiles, and I could see the tension in their shoulders begin to melt. Aria darted toward a group of children playing with blocks. Arianna lingered by a coloring station, eyeing the crayons with wide-eyed wonder. Arian calmly assessed the layout, noting the optimal places for desks and supplies.

Lucian and I exchanged glances. “They’re going to be fine,” he whispered.

“I know,” I replied, though my chest ached a little at the thought of letting go.

After a few hugs and whispered reminders, it was time to leave. The girls waved shyly, some waving back, some watching cautiously. Cassian was perched nearby, keeping watch like a chaotic sentinel, while Adrian simply shook his head.

Outside, Lucian and I walked back to the car. The air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of autumn leaves. “You okay?” he asked, slipping his arm around my shoulders.

I nodded, letting a small smile tug at my lips. “I think so. I think this is good for them… for all of us.”

He pressed a kiss to my temple. “They’re going to thrive. And so will we.”

The ride home was calmer. The morning rush had subsided, leaving us with a quiet drive and a chance to reflect. We stopped at a small café for coffee—Lucian taking black, me with a latte—and watched the world move around us.

Cassian was already calling with updates: “THEY SURVIVED. THEY SURVIVED! THE MORNING IS OURS!”

Adrian groaned. “I hate you.”

My father laughed softly from the passenger side. “It’s all right. It’s part of life. Let them have their adventures.”

I sipped my coffee, savoring the warmth, and leaned into Lucian’s side. “It feels… different now,” I said quietly. “Like we’re moving forward, step by step.”

Lucian’s hand covered mine. “Exactly. Step by step, together.”

Back home, the girls returned bursting with stories. Aria had made a friend almost immediately, Arianna had been praised for her attention to detail in coloring, and Arian had impressed her teacher with her logical approach to the day’s assignments.

They talked nonstop, jumping from one story to the next, eyes bright with excitement. I watched, heart swelling, as Lucian held the youngest one close while my father chuckled at their antics. Even Adrian had softened slightly, offering a rare smile when Arian recounted a perfectly executed classroom plan.

Cassian, of course, retold the day with theatrical embellishments: “THEY FACED CHAOS AND TRIUMPHED! LEGENDS IN THE MAKING!”

Adrian muttered, “Please. Stop narrating history.”

Lucian and I shared a quiet laugh. The house was alive again, but in a different way—less chaotic than the vacation, more structured, yet still bursting with love.

That night, after homework and baths and bedtime stories, the girls curled into their beds, exhausted but happy. Lucian and I finally had a quiet moment, sitting together in the living room, the city lights twinkling outside.

“You know,” I said softly, “today went… better than I imagined.”

Lucian’s arm wrapped around me. “Because we’re together. Because we have them. Because we’re stronger than anything life throws at us.”

I rested my head on his shoulder. “I think… this is the start of a new chapter. Not just for the girls, but for all of us.”

He kissed my temple gently. “And we’ll face it, the same way we always have. Together.”

Outside, the night was quiet, but inside, the house was alive with warmth, love, and the promise of every first day yet to come.