All Chapters of What Survived The Burn: Chapter 61 - Chapter 70

Loria’s POVAnthony drags the step stool over to the sink with the determination of a boy on a mission. I smile as I start peeling the first potato, the soft rasp of the peeler soothing in its rhythm.He climbs up beside me, still slightly too short for the counter but trying so hard to be big. “Okay, Mom. What do we do first?”“We’re already doing it,” I say gently. “I peel, and you wash.”He nods seriously and reaches for the potatoes in the colander, running them under the cool water one at a time, rubbing at any spots of dirt with his small fingers.“Make sure they’re nice and clean, alright? We don’t want any dirt in our potato salad.”He grins. “Got it!”As I peel, I explain it all step-by-step, just the way my mom used to do for me.“So now we have to peel and wash all of the potatoes first,” I say, setting another cleanly peeled one in the bowl. “Then we’re going to cut them into chunks—not too big, not too small. About the size of a bite.”He nods like he’s memorizing it.“On

Simon’s POVThe grill hisses as the first few patties start to sizzle, that perfect smell of char and spice already wafting up into the air. I flip one with the spatula, adjusting the heat, checking for hot spots. Moon was supposed to be helping, but she ditched me fifteen minutes ago to go chase lightning bugs near the treeline.Typical.Not that I can blame her. The air’s soft and warm, the kind of evening that practically hums with peace. For once.I glance over my shoulder when I hear the screen door creak open behind me.Loria steps out, barefoot and glowing in the low golden light, carrying a tall cup packed with plastic forks and knives, a stack of paper plates balanced on her hip. Anthony trails behind her, doing his absolute best not to drop the trash bag, a roll of paper towels, and a stack of clear plastic cups. His arms are full, his face determined.“Need help?” I call out, even though I’m not moving from the grill.“I’ve got it,” Loria says with a smile, already heading

Simon’s POVThe second I stepped into the shower behind her, the heat hit me—but it wasn’t just from the water.It was her.Loria stood beneath the spray like she belonged to it, head tilted back, water running down every curve of her body. The sight of her like that—bare, glowing, strong—stole the breath straight from my lungs.I wrapped my arms around her from behind, slowly, reverently. One hand settled over her ribs, the other across her stomach… where our child was growing.She leaned into me without a word.My chest ached with how much I loved her. How much I wanted to keep her safe. How much I needed this moment—this proof that she was here, alive, warm, mine.I kissed her shoulder, slow and lingering, letting the water roll over us like it was washing the weight of the past from our skin.I didn’t speak at first.Because what could I possibly say that was enough?But I felt her through the bond. Every breath. Every flicker of her heart. Every ounce of uncertainty still lingeri

Amy’s POVI was still cradling her against my chest, my heart finally beginning to slow, when Simon stepped back into the room—silent as ever, but there was something in his eyes. A softness. A peace.In his arms he carried the bassinet. Not just any bassinet. The one Moon had slept in.I recognized it immediately—the hand-carved wooden frame, still etched with Loria’s protective runes. The way the vines along its edge shimmered faintly in the light. Loria had made it with her magic the week Moon was born, and I knew then what it meant for Simon to carry it in now, without words.My throat tightened as he placed it gently near the bed.Loria stood just behind him, her hand resting lightly over her stomach, her eyes misted over with quiet pride. Neither of them spoke. They didn’t have to.They simply stood, Alpha and Luna, and watched us with the kind of love that doesn’t need language—only presence.Then the door burst open with a rush of warm air and clinking bone charms.Audrey swe

Simon’s POVThe house had that warm, sleepy hush it always got after dusk—just the low creak of the floorboards, the whisper of blankets, and the quiet hum of life settling down.Loria was brushing Moon’s curls back behind her ears, murmuring the lullaby I’d heard her sing a hundred times. Moon blinked sleepily, all firefly-hunting energy gone, her little arms wrapped around the stuffed wolf she named Snuggle Zyan.Anthony had already crawled under the covers in his room, stacking his dino figures on the windowsill like guards before bed. I leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching as he lined them up just right.“You think they’ll keep the baby safe?” he asked without looking up.“Of course,” I said with a small smile. “Venus couldn’t have better guards.”He nodded, satisfied, and finally laid back. Loria kissed Moon goodnight and slipped quietly into the hallway, pausing beside me. Her hand brushed mine, fingers curling, just enough.To anyone else, she looked completely