Chapter 78
The morning sun filtered softly through the white curtains, casting a gentle light across the room. I opened my eyes slowly, savoring the stillness. It had been a long time since I felt this kind of peace. For a brief moment, I let myself stay still, just listening to the sounds around me—the leaves rustling outside, the distant chirping of birds, and the soft cooing from the crib beside our bed.
My gaze drifted to the crib, and my heart squeezed with pure, unfiltered joy. Logan and Lilah were sleeping soundly, their little faces serene and angelic. It still felt surreal sometimes, knowing they were here—my babies, our babies. I never thought I’d get to experience this kind of happiness.
I turned my head slightly, taking in the sight of Jake beside me. He was still asleep, sprawled out on his back, one arm resting over his forehead. The early sunlight highlighted his chiseled jaw and the slight stubble on his face. Even in sleep, he looked impossibly strong. It was moments like this when I realized just how much he had changed. The fierce protector, the stoic warrior, had softened—at least when it came to us.
I carefully slipped out of bed, not wanting to wake him. The floor creaked a little under my feet, but he didn’t stir. I tiptoed over to the crib and leaned down, adjusting the soft blanket over Logan. He had Jake’s strong features—tiny, but you could already tell he was going to grow into a spitting image of his father. His little fists were clenched even in sleep, as if he were ready to fight off any danger.
Then there was Lilah, my sweet girl. Her dark curls were already forming little ringlets, and when she smiled in her sleep, I could see the faintest dimple on her cheek. She looked so peaceful, so perfect. I leaned down and kissed her forehead, inhaling the baby scent that was pure heaven.
“Already up?” Jake’s deep voice rumbled from behind me, still rough with sleep.
I turned around, smiling at the sight of him sitting up, rubbing his eyes. He looked at me with a sleepy grin, one that made my heart flutter every single time. “Couldn’t help it,” I whispered. “They were so quiet, I had to check on them.”
Jake pushed himself out of bed, stretching as he walked over to me. He peered into the crib, his face softening as he looked at the twins. It was a look I’d never get tired of—seeing this tough, no-nonsense man turn into a puddle of warmth when he looked at his children.
“They’re perfect, aren’t they?” he murmured, gently tracing a finger along Logan’s tiny fist.
“Absolutely perfect,” I agreed. I leaned into his side, wrapping my arms around his waist. He rested his chin on top of my head, and for a moment, we just stood there, basking in the quiet joy of our little family.
“I still can’t believe they’re ours,” I whispered.
Jake chuckled softly. “Me neither. Sometimes I keep expecting to wake up and find it was all a dream.”
“But it’s not,” I said, smiling up at him. “It’s real.”
He looked down at me, his eyes softer than I’d ever seen them. “Yeah, it is. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
We stayed like that for a while, just holding each other, until a tiny whimper broke the silence. I looked back at the crib to see Lilah starting to stir, her little face scrunching up as she let out a tiny cry.
“I’ve got her,” I said, stepping forward and gently lifting her into my arms. “Good morning, sweet girl,” I cooed, rubbing my nose against hers.
Jake scooped up Logan, who was now awake too, his small hands gripping onto Jake’s shirt. “Morning, buddy,” he said in that gruff, affectionate voice he only used with our children. It melted my heart every single time.
We made our way downstairs, each of us holding a baby. The kitchen was bathed in warm morning light, and I could see the leaves outside dancing in the breeze. It was peaceful—something I had learned not to take for granted.
“You sit,” Jake said, nodding towards the kitchen table. “I’ll make breakfast.”
I raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile on my lips. “You? Cooking?”
Jake shot me a mock glare. “Yes, me. I’ve been practicing, remember? I make a mean scrambled egg now.”
I laughed, settling Lilah into her seat at the table. “Alright, Chef Jake. Let’s see what you’ve got.”
He shook his head, muttering something under his breath, but I could see the smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He cracked a few eggs into a pan, moving with surprising ease for someone who used to consider cooking a foreign concept.
As I prepared bottles for the babies, I couldn’t help but steal glances at him. Jake wasn’t the type to show his love with grand, romantic gestures. Instead, it was in the little things—the way he held our children, the way he cooked breakfast just to give me a break, the way he looked at me like I was his entire world.
“Breakfast is ready,” Jake announced, placing two plates of scrambled eggs on the table. He walked over and pressed a quick kiss to my forehead, his lips lingering just long enough to make me smile.
I sat down and took a bite. “Wow, these are actually really good,” I said, raising my eyebrows in surprise.
Jake smirked. “Told you I’ve been practicing.”
Lilah gurgled from her seat, her tiny hands reaching out towards Jake. He picked her up, bouncing her gently on his knee. “See, Lilah? Daddy’s not completely useless in the kitchen,” he said with a playful grin.
I laughed, feeling a rush of affection. “You’re pretty great, you know that?”
Jake gave me a sideways look, pretending to be annoyed. “Don’t get all sappy on me now, Pris.”
I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t stop smiling. “Fine, fine. I’ll save the sappy stuff for later.”
We ate together, sharing small talk and laughter while the twins babbled happily in their seats. It was a simple morning, nothing special to anyone else, but to me, it was everything. It was the life I had once believed I’d never have—a home filled with love, laughter, and a sense of safety I’d never known before.
After breakfast, Jake stood up and pulled me into his arms, pressing a soft kiss to my lips. “I love you, Priscilla,” he said quietly, his voice gruff but sincere.
I looked up at him, my heart full. “I love you too, Jake.”
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