Chapter 90: A refreshing day

The morning after the birthday felt surprisingly calm. The house still smelled faintly of cake and glitter, little reminders of yesterday’s chaos lingering on every surface. Aria, Arianna, and Arian were up earlier than usual, each already dressed in the outfits they’d meticulously picked the night before. They bounced around, excited not just for school, but for the little adventure I’d promised: a shopping trip to stock up on school supplies and new clothes.

Lucian was already in the kitchen, pouring himself a cup of coffee and quietly watching the girls with an amused expression. “They’re in high spirits today,” he remarked, his tone a mixture of awe and amusement.

“I think it’s leftover birthday energy,” I said, sliding into the chair across from him. “Or maybe just a glimpse of the chaos that awaits us in the stores.”

Cassian, of course, had appointed himself the official packing manager. He ran around, ensuring everyone had backpacks, lunchboxes, and extra water bottles. Adrian stood nearby, arms crossed, silently cataloging the odds of losing pens, pencils, or homework along the way. My father had volunteered to drive, a quiet smile tugging at his lips, and seemed genuinely content just to be part of the organized madness.

Once everyone was settled in the car, Lucian slipped his hand into mine, a small but steady anchor amid the chaos. “Ready for our expedition?” he asked with a grin.

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I replied. “Let’s survive the school-supply gauntlet.”

The first stop was a store filled with every imaginable school supply, and then some. The girls immediately dashed to the colorful aisles, squealing over glitter pens, notebooks with unicorns and rainbows, and folders in every shade of pink, blue, and green. Aria’s excitement was infectious—she insisted on showing every single notebook to me, making dramatic announcements about each one’s importance.

Arianna was methodical, carefully inspecting each item, comparing brands, quality, and color combinations. “Mom, these pencils are superior for grip and smooth writing,” she pointed out, holding up a pack. “We need three packs, minimum.”

Arian, as always, approached the shopping with tactical precision. She had a checklist and was systematically crossing off items while occasionally calculating the time it would take to walk to each aisle. “Efficiency is key. If we wander, we waste time and risk missing key items,” she said, pointing to her clipboard with a stern expression.

Cassian had taken a different approach, loudly proclaiming each aisle a “territory” that needed to be conquered. “Behold, the Land of Stationery! Warriors, prepare yourselves for battle!” he shouted, waving a ruler like a sword.

Adrian, predictably, muttered under his breath about inefficiency and potential hazards of glitter contamination. My father quietly followed, occasionally offering tips on what items might actually be practical.

Lucian and I moved through the store like calm navigators through a storm, gathering what we could while keeping an eye on the three girls. It was a delicate balance of control and chaos, but somehow, the system worked.

Once the shopping was done, we moved to the clothing section. The girls had specific outfits in mind for the first week of school, each one insisting it had to be “perfect.” Aria twirled constantly, demanding we admire her choices. Arianna held up various skirts and tops, evaluating color combinations with an intensity that would make any fashion designer proud. Arian, ever the planner, made a quick spreadsheet on her tablet to ensure every outfit was functional and coordinated.

“Mom, these shoes are mandatory for optimal speed in recess,” Arian announced, holding up a pair of sneakers. “I’ve tested their grip on multiple surfaces.”

Aria frowned. “But I want the sparkly ones!”

Lucian stepped in, kneeling beside Aria. “We can do both,” he said gently. “Sparkly shoes for fun, and the practical ones for school.”

Aria’s grin returned instantly. “Yay!” she squealed, hugging him. Arianna nodded approvingly, satisfied with the compromise, and Arian simply checked her tablet, muttering, “Efficiency maintained.”

By the time we left the store, the car was packed with shopping bags, colorful notebooks, glitter pens, and multiple outfits. The girls were tired but happy, leaning against Lucian and me in the backseat, chattering about all the things they had chosen and what they were excited to show their friends.

Back at home, we organized the loot into neat piles in the living room. Each girl had her own stack of school supplies, clothes, and special items. The rest of the day was a mix of unpacking, labeling, and, of course, sneak peeks at some of the new goodies. Aria insisted on showing everyone the glitter pens, Arianna wanted to start coloring immediately, and Arian wanted to assemble her new school planner with absolute precision.

Lucian and I took a quiet moment to sit together, sipping tea and watching the girls at work. “You know,” he said softly, “this—this chaos, this happiness—it’s what makes all the hard parts worth it.”

I leaned into him, feeling the steady warmth of his presence. “Exactly. They’re growing up so fast, and every little thing matters.”

As the sun dipped lower, casting a warm glow across the room, the girls finally settled down, exhausted but content. Cassian and Adrian helped clean up while my father quietly admired the organized chaos. Lucian and I exchanged a look of quiet triumph. The day had been long, exhausting, and wonderfully ordinary.

That night, after baths and bedtime stories, the girls curled up in their beds, chattering softly about the first day of school and the adventures that awaited. Lucian and I finally sat together in the living room, the city lights twinkling outside.

“They’re ready,” I said softly, sipping my tea.

“They’re more than ready,” Lucian said, wrapping an arm around me. “And so are we.”

I rested my head on his shoulder, thinking about birthdays, shopping trips, first days of school, and everything in between. Life was messy, chaotic, and unpredictable—but it was ours. And for the first time in a long while, I felt truly at peace.