As the car rolled toward the villa, a wave of nostalgia washed over me. It felt surreal to finally be going home, to be leaving the hospital behind with my son cradled safely in my arms. Linton. Just saying his name brought a warmth to my heart that made me feel whole. Anton glanced at me, his eyes filled with that same awe I felt. “Can you believe we’re finally doing this?” he asked, his voice a gentle caress in the soft air of the car. I smiled, glancing down at our little boy, who was sleeping soundly, his tiny hands curled into little fists. “It feels like a dream,” I whispered, fighting back tears. “A beautiful, overwhelming dream.” “More like a miracle,” Anton replied, his expression softening as he looked back at the road. “I can’t wait to show him our home.” As we pulled up to the villa, I could see the lights flickering warmly from the windows, and my heart swelled with emotion. The house was filled with memories, laughter, and now, the promise of new beginnings. As we
I lay on the couch, staring at the ceiling, unable to shake the exhaustion from my bones. It had been a long night, and I could hear Linton’s cries echoing through the house like an alarm clock that just wouldn’t stop.I glanced over at Alina, who was propped up against the pillows, her eyes heavy with fatigue. She had been amazing, caring for our little boy with such love and devotion, but tonight was one of those nights where the exhaustion seemed to seep into her very soul.“Hey, Alina,” I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper. “You okay?”She turned to me, her expression a mix of exhaustion and frustration. “I’m so tired, Anton. He won’t stop crying, and I just... I can’t think straight.” I felt a pang of sympathy as I watched her. “Why don’t you let me take care of him for a bit? You should try to get some sleep.”She shook her head, her brow furrowed. “No, I can’t. He needs me.”“Alina,” I insisted gently, moving to sit beside her. “You need to take care of yourself too.
I was in the nursery, gently rocking Linton in my arms when I heard the doorbell ring. A familiar voice followed almost immediately. “Open up! It’s me, your favorite godmother!” I smiled, knowing exactly who it was. “Come in, Natalie!” I called, adjusting Linton’s blanket. Within seconds, the door swung open, and Natalie burst in, arms full of shopping bags. “Oh my God, Alina! I went a little overboard, but how could I not? Have you seen all the baby clothes these days? So cute!” She dropped the bags on the floor with a dramatic huff, rushing over to us. “Give me my godson! I haven’t seen him in forever!” “Natalie, you were here just last week,” I laughed, gently handing Linton over to her.“Exactly! Forever ago.” She cradled him, her eyes lighting up as she cooed softly. “Hey, little man, did you miss your godmother?”Linton blinked up at her, his tiny fist waving in the air. Natalie gasped. “Did you see that? He waved at me! That was definitely a wave!”I chuckled. “That’s a str
I woke up to the sound of Linton’s soft cries. It was unusual for him to cry this early in the morning, and my heart skipped a beat. I turned to Anton, who was already half-awake, his brow furrowed with concern. “I’ll check on him,” I whispered, getting out of bed. Anton followed me as we made our way to the nursery. Linton was lying in his crib, his little face was all red, and I immediately knew something was wrong. “Anton, feel his forehead,” I said, my voice shaking slightly. Anton placed his hand gently on Linton’s head, his eyes widening. “He’s burning up. Alina, he has a fever.”Panic surged through me as I quickly picked Linton up, holding him close. He let out a weak whimper, his small body trembling. “Aww my poor baby. Mommy is here . Everything will be fine. We need to get him to the doctor.”“Right now,” Anton agreed, already grabbing his phone to make a call. “I’ll schedule an emergency appointment.”As Anton arranged the visit, I tried to soothe Linton, rocking him b
Linton’s laughter rang out in the backyard, mixing with Anton’s playful shouts as they kicked the football back and forth. I could hear them from the kitchen, and a smile crept onto my face as I placed a fresh batch of cookies onto the cooling rack. The sweet, warm scent of chocolate filled the air, and I took a moment to savor it, feeling grateful for the simple joy . Once the cookies were cooling, I wiped my hands on my apron and wandered to the back door, where I leaned against the frame and watched the two most important people in my life. Anton was pretending to struggle as Linton charged at him, trying to steal the ball. "You're too slow, Dad!" Linton giggled, his little legs pumping as he raced around. "Oh, is that so? I’m just getting warmed up!" Anton teased, playfully lunging forward and letting Linton dart past him. I couldn’t help but laugh at the scene. Linton’s determination to outplay his dad was both adorable and hilarious. "Why don't you join us, Alina?" A
I arrived at Linton's school a little earlier than usual, hoping to beat the afternoon rush. Pulling into the parking lot, I glanced at the parents' gathering at the gate, but I didn’t see Linton among the students yet. Parking the car, I got out and walked towards the playground where I figured he might be. I found him there, chatting and laughing with another boy his age. As I approached, Linton saw me and waved excitedly. “Dad!” he called, running towards me. “Meet my friend, Gabriel!” The other boy followed, smiling shyly as he approached. “Hi, I’m Gabriel,” he said, his voice soft but friendly. I smiled back. “Nice to meet you, Gabriel. I heard about you from Linton.You guys are best friends. " Linton nodded, already bubbling with excitement. “Yeah, we’ve been playing together at recess for weeks now! Dad, can Gabriel come home with us today? Please?” His eyes were wide with hope, practically begging me to say yes. Just as I was about to answer, I heard a voice from b
"Come, Gabe, it's time to go. Your mum is waiting at home." David said. "Okay, dad, I'm coming." Gabriel shouted. "Hope, he didn’t troubled you much. " David chuckled . "He is a well-behaved child. It was nice having him here." Anton said. "This is my wife Alina. " Anton introduced Alina to David. "Nice meeting you, Alina. Thank you for taking care of my son." David smiled. "You don’t have to thank us for that, David. Gabriel is such a sweetheart. I'm hoping to see him more often." Alina chuckled. "My wife Isabella asked me to invite you over for the New Years party. Here is the invitation card. It would be an honor to have you there." David extended the invitation card to Alina, who gladly accepted it. "We'll definitely come, David. I'm looking forward to meeting your wife." Alina said. "Linton, next time it's your turn to come for a sleepover. " Gabriel said. "I would love to come. I have to ask mum first." Linton said and looked at his mother with hopeful ey
We arrived at Isabella and David's house a little after 7 PM, the cool night air welcoming us as we stepped out of the car. The house was beautifully lit with festive lights.The sounds of laughter and music floated through the air, signaling that the New Year’s party was already in full swing. As we walked towards the front door, Linton tugged on my hand, bouncing with excitement. "Do you think Gabriel's will like my outfit, Mom?" he asked, his eyes wide with anticipation. "I’m sure he will," I said, squeezing his hand. "You’ll be playing with him in no time." Anton rang the doorbell, and a few moments later, the door swung open. Isabella greeted us with a wide smile. "Alina, Anton! Welcome! And Linton!" She crouched down to give him a hug. "Gabriel’s been asking about you all evening." Linton grinned from ear to ear. "Where is he?" "Upstairs in the playroom," Isabella replied, stepping aside to let us in. "Why don’t you go find him?" Linton didn’t need any more encourageme
The villa was a picture-perfect scene of Christmas cheer. Twinkling lights adorned the exterior, casting a warm glow over the snow-dusted garden, while a large Christmas tree stood proudly in the living room, its ornaments glinting in the soft light. The scent of fresh pine and cinnamon filled the air, mingling with the laughter and chatter of friends and family. Alina held her one-month-old daughter close, cradling the tiny bundle in her arms as guests arrived. She smiled, watching as Linton and Gabriel practically hovered around her, peering down at the baby with wide-eyed wonder. “Is she really my sister?Sometimes it feels like a dream mommy.” Linton asked for the tenth time, his voice filled with awe. Alina chuckled softly. “Yes, sweetheart. She’s really your sister. You got exactly what you asked Santa for last Christmas.” Linton beamed, reaching out a cautious hand to touch his sister’s tiny fingers. “Hi, baby sister,” he whispered. “ I’ll always protect you.” Gabriel,
The doorbell rang, and Alina smiled, knowing exactly who it was. A few moments later, Linton’s excited voice echoed through the hall as he raced toward the door to greet his best friend, Gabriel. “Gabriel!” Linton yelled, throwing the door open and giving his friend a high-five. Gabriel grinned as he stepped inside, holding a little gift bag in his hand. “Hey, Linton! Hi, Aunt Alina!” Gabriel greeted, his eyes wide with excitement as he approached her. “How’s the baby?” Alina chuckled, patting her belly. “Getting bigger every day, Gabriel. And she’s quite active today.” Linton immediately perched himself beside his mom, his eyes sparkling with interest. “Can I talk to her again, Mommy?” he asked with a shy smile. “Of course, sweetheart.” She smoothed down her shirt and leaned back so the boys could get closer. Gabriel scooted onto the couch beside Alina, looking both curious and excited. He handed her the little gift bag, inside of which was a small stuffed bunny with floppy ea
Alina rested on the couch, a blanket draped over her legs and her hand resting on her rounded belly. At seven months pregnant, her baby bump was unmistakable, and it was a joy to see how much it had become a part of the family’s daily life. From Anton’s frequent hand resting over her belly to Linton’s fascination with “talking” to his baby sibling, the whole house seemed to radiate warmth and anticipation. Linton, bursting with excitement, had clambered up onto the couch beside her, his small hands gingerly placed over her belly as if holding a fragile treasure. He leaned in close, his expression serious as he started whispering to the baby. “Hi, baby sis,” Linton said, his voice soft but filled with excitement. “It’s me, Linton, your big brother! I can’t wait to meet you, and I’m gonna teach you everything I know. We’re gonna play so many games, and I’ll teach you how to draw dinosaurs and superheroes. And… and I’ll share my toys, too!” Alina chuckled, resting her hand over his.
Alina gently ruffled Linton’s hair, nudging him awake. Anton was already up, sipping his coffee in the kitchen, as she whispered to their son, "Wake up, Linton. I have a surprise for you today." Linton’s eyes fluttered open, and he rubbed them with his small fists, his face brightening instantly at the word “surprise.” “A surprise? Where are we going, Mommy?” Alina smiled. “You’ll see soon enough. Go get dressed, and we’ll be on our way.” As Linton scrambled out of bed and rushed to get ready, Alina made her way to the kitchen. She kissed Anton on the cheek, feeling a surge of excitement about the secret she was about to share. She had been working on a special painting for weeks, pouring her heart into every brushstroke, and today, she would finally reveal it. “Where are we off to this morning?” Anton asked, raising an eyebrow with curiosity as he sipped his coffee. “Just a little outing to the gallery. I have something special to show you both,” Alina replied, her eyes twin
Alina and Anton pulled into the driveway of David and Isabella’s home. Their hearts were light, filled with the warmth of their recent trip to Paris and the excitement of reuniting with their little one. As they stepped out of the car, Linton’s energy was palpable; he bounced on his feet, his eyes sparkling with anticipation as he saw his parents getting down the car. "Mom-dad I missed you so much." Linton hugged their legs. Anton picked him up in his arms. “Are we ready to see Gabriel?” Anton asked, ruffling Linton’s hair. “Yes! I want to show him the new toys you brought!” Linton exclaimed, practically dragging his parents toward the front door. Alina chuckled at her son’s enthusiasm. “Hold on, buddy. Let’s not rush too much. We’ve got to make sure we greet everyone first.” They rang the doorbell, and moments later, David swung the door open, a wide grin lighting up his face. “Welcome back, you guys! We missed you! Literally ever since Linton got to know you are coming he h
Steam filled the bathroom, the warm mist clinging to the glass walls of the shower as water falling softly. Alina leaned against the cool tiles, her body relaxing under the hot spray. She felt a gentle touch at her waist, and without opening her eyes, she knew it was Anton. "Mind if I join you?" his deep voice rumbled softly in her ear, a smile evident in his tone. Alina smiled and turned slightly, glancing over her shoulder. "Of course sweetheart. You never need permission." Anton chuckled, stepping closer, his hands slowly trailing up her arms, pulling her back against his chest. The heat of his body mixed with the warmth of the water, enveloping her in comfort and safety. "I thought I’d be polite today so I was asking for permission," he teased, his lips brushing against the side of her neck, sending a shiver down her spine. Alina leaned her head back, resting it against his shoulder. "You? Polite?" she teased back, the warmth of his breath tickling her skin. "Hey, I c
David's house was alive with the sounds of giggles and shuffling papers as Linton and Gabriel sat side by side at the large wooden dining table, their books spread out before them. “Got it!” Gabriel declared triumphantly, holding up his math workbook. Linton, still scribbling away on his own page, glanced at him with a smirk. “You think you’re fast, huh? Let me check that.” He leaned over, playfully scrutinizing Gabriel’s work. “Hmm... looks right, but I bet I can finish mine faster.” “Oh, it’s on!” Gabriel grinned, and they both dove back into their homework with renewed energy. Isabella stood at the kitchen counter, watching the boys with a fond smile. She was whipping up pancake batter for their afternoon snack, the aroma of freshly made batter already filling the air. The kitchen was warm and inviting. She glanced over her shoulder at David, who was reading on the couch, occasionally glancing up to chuckle at the boys' competitive banter. “I love how determined they are,
The next day, Paris greeted us with a warm breeze and a clear blue sky.Anton was already up, sipping on his coffee by the window as he admired the view. I walked over to him, still in my pajamas, and leaned against his arm, taking in the sight of the Eiffel Tower standing tall in the distance. “We’re really doing this, huh?” I asked, smiling as I looked up at him. Anton grinned, setting his cup down on the table. “Absolutely. Are you ready for a day of cliches and tourist photos?” I laughed, nodding. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.” An hour later, we were standing at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, and despite the crowds around us, I couldn’t help but feel the excitement bubbling up inside. Anton had his camera ready, capturing moments before we even started climbing. Every few steps, he’d stop, turn to me with that teasing smile, and snap a picture—of me laughing, of us together, of the view. "Okay, one more,” Anton said, holding up his phone, getting us both into the fram
Anton’s hand brushed softly against the small of my back as we entered the suite, his touch lingering just a little longer than necessary. I looked around, taking in the breathtaking view from the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the city of Paris. The Eiffel Tower sparkled in the distance. Everything about this place felt perfect—luxurious and romantic. The door clicked shut behind us, and the sound echoed in the quiet, intimate space. I placed my purse on the plush chair near the window and took a deep breath, letting the atmosphere of the city sink in. “We’re really here,” I said softly, more to myself than to Anton. Anton chuckled behind me, his arms sliding around my waist. “We are. No distractions. No meetings. Just you, me, and Paris.” I leaned back against him, closing my eyes and enjoying the warmth of his embrace. For the first time in what felt like forever, we had no obligations pulling us in different directions. Just us. I turned in his arms, looking up a