Stefani awoke to the gentle shine of morning light coming in through the curtained window. She stretched lazily. Her hand reached out for Jacob's side of the bed, but he wasn't there. She let a slight frown crease across her face and blinked the rest out of sleep.“Where is he?” she mumbled.She knew Jacob would at least still be beside her, holding on to her sleep. The room was so dead quiet except for the soft music drifting outside up in the basement.Curious, she shrugged off the covers and slid out of bed still wearing her oversized pajamas. She could smell the finely subtle aroma of freshly brewed coffee and something sweet baking wafting through the air. The little nose twitched with excitement as she followed the enticing smell into down the stairs.As she went down, Stefani's eyes widened on what was before her. The whole living room had been transformed. Soft, golden fairy lights draped the walls and opened to a romantic light. Roses and lilies surrounded every nook and cran
The sunshine filtered through the long windows of Jacob and Stefani's home. Softly it threw its warm radiance upon the room filled with family and close friends for this glorious celebration. Balloons dangled listlessly in the air, light pink and baby blue, intimating the much-expected big day that everyone waited for—the gender reveal.Stefani stood in the middle of the living room, heart racing and all butterflies flying around. To her right was Jacob, whose hand was firmly placed on her lower back, something she always needed at such moments. Two clans were present, the Carter and Hansley families, with their faces aglow with happiness, yet more curious than anything else. Friends mingled as they expressed a wide range of ideas as to what they thought it would bring: boys, girls, or maybe one of each?"Ready?" Jacob whispered to Stefani, his breath warm against her skin. He could sense the pull of her energy; it matched his own.Up at him, she smiled with sparkling eyes. "More than
Jacob sat in his office, buried in paperwork, trying to find time to wrap up some last-minute deals before the weekend. Everything had been running smoothly with the company, and he wanted things all set and out of the way by the time he went on paternity leave as the twins were coming.His phone buzzed on the desk, and he absently glanced at it, expecting another routine message from a client or an employee. Instead, the screen flashed [Maid—Home]That was unusual. His brows furrowed as he answered the call, only to be greeted by the panicked voice of the maid."Mr. Hansley! Mrs. Hansley's stomach... it's hurting! And—and her water broke!"Jacob's heart stopped in that moment. He got up straight, his papers scatted from the desk. "Her water broke?" he repeated, a sincerity that cut through his words. "Is she all right? How bad is it?"“She is in pain, sir,” the maid answered, her voice quivering. "She told me that the contractions are getting strong. We are preparing everything, but
Jacob and Stefani were taken to the ward, where they settled into a private room. The newborn twins lay comfortably in a small crib next to the bed. The air now was calmer, quieter, but still filled with awe at what had just happened. Reality is slowly starting to sink in: they are now parents.Stefani lay back against the pillows, her exhaustion betraying her, but her smile still bright. Jacob stood beside her, running the length of his fingers over the small hands of their twins. Their baby boy was asleep first, soft breaths filling his room. Their daughter was wide-eyed, with her little fist curled up around Jacob's finger, gripping tightly as if bonding already to her father."Look at them," Stefani whispered, her voice raw but full of awe. "They're perfect."Jacob smiled, his heart about to burst as he glanced down at their children. "They're more than perfect. I still can't believe it. We made these little humans."She let out a soft laugh, but even that tiny laugh was a testame
A year had now lapsed, a little less than the blink of an eye. Their once teeny-tiny newborns had grown into energetic and curiously inquisitive little one-year-olds who rather consistently filled their parents' lives with joy, laughter, and more than a little chaos. Ethan and Elara hit their milestones one after another. They had started babbling words like "Mama" and "Dada." Now, to the great excitement of the parents, they were on the cusp of taking their first steps.The sun streamed through huge windows from their living room as the family spent a lazy Sunday morning together. Toys were scattered all over the floor; soft music was playing in the background. Jacob sat on the couch holding a cup of coffee while Stefani sat on the floor with the twins, crawling around and exploring every inch of the space.Ethan, ever the more adventurous of the two, pulled himself up using the edge of the coffee table, his little legs wobbly as he tried to stand. Stefani gasped, eyes wide with exc
The warm hum of the afternoon filled the Hansley home. Sunlight streamed through the windows, casting warm rays onto the plush carpet where Ethan and Elara lay side by side sitting with their favorite toys. Stefani sat on the floor watching the twins babble in their own secret language as they reached out for colors blocks and stuffed animals with tiny hands.Jacob was brewing coffee in the kitchen; his voice would filter through the occasional humming of a tune. It was one of those days—calm, peaceful, with so many quiet moments that make Stefani feel unbelievably fortunate.Ethan was the more vocal of the two and was suddenly much louder; indeed, his lips were shaping something now that sounded more than just baby babble. Stefani immediately and completely attended to him. She leaned closer, her heart beating a little hard. Could this be it? Is he finally going to say his first word?Ethan's chubby hands reached for the toy car, and with it held aloft in
Elara and Ethan were almost four years old, and their inquiring minds had the tendency to boil with excitement. Today, they were staying the whole day at their grandparents', Summer and Steven's, because Stefani and Jacob had gone on business abroad. The twins, full of energy, walked into their grandparents' house, grinning from ear to ear, looking forward to another activity filled with fun.As morning sunlight spread golden warmth over the living room, Summer knelt down, arms wide open. "My little angels!" she greeted, pulling both Elara and Ethan into a warm embrace. Their arms wrapped around her filled the room with giggles.Steven, sitting in his favorite armchair, chuckled. "Looks like we're going to have our hands full today."Ethan spotted it: there in the corner, way back from the light--a big old cardboard box, nearly covered in dust. "Grandpa! What's that?" he asked, pointing eagerly.Steven smiled. "That, my boy is a box full of memories. Let'
Tropical island breeze smoothened over Stefani's body as she stood at the edge of the water, and waves lapped gently over her feet. The horizon was all pink and orange in color because the sun was slowly setting into the end of the day, leaving a deep golden hue on everything around the beach.Jacob stood right behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and hugging her close. "You look beautiful," he whispered in her ear, his deep voice full of awe.He sensed Stefani lean back into him, let the weight of years just slither away as the serenity of the moment settled in. Rarely were they alone together now; between work, family, and little twins now rampantly following them both, every spare minute filled to capacity. He knew this vacation was long overdue: a chance to reconnect, relax, and to just be."I missed this," she whispered, turning her face towards him. "Just us."Jacob smiled, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. "I missed it too. We neede
The house was aglow with festive cheer. Warm lights twinkled on the Christmas tree, and the scent of cinnamon, pine, and freshly baked cookies filled the air. Stefani stood in the kitchen, putting the final touches on a tray of cupcakes. The sound of laughter and chatter echoed through the living room, where both sides of the family—hers and Jacob’s—had gathered for the holidays.This was exactly how she had always imagined it—a full house, filled with the people she loved most. The twins, Elara and Ethan, were playing with their new toys, their excitement bubbling over as they showed their grandparents everything Santa had brought. Stefani glanced over at them and smiled softly, feeling a warmth in her chest that had nothing to do with the fire crackling in the fireplace.It was Christmas, and in just a few days, it would be New Year’s Eve. A fresh start. Stefani couldn't help but reflect on how much had changed since the last holiday season. The ups and downs, the struggles, the tri
The warm sunlight streamed through the curtains as Stefani stretched, listening to the excited giggles from down the hall. Today was a special day, one she had been anticipating for weeks—Ethan and Elara's fifth birthday. Five years. Stefani could hardly believe how quickly time had flown. It felt like just yesterday she was cradling two tiny newborns in her arms, overwhelmed with love and exhaustion. Now, they were running around the house, full of energy and life, growing faster than she ever thought possible.The house buzzed with activity as Stefani got ready. Balloons lined the walls, colorful streamers were draped across the ceiling, and the smell of freshly baked cake filled the air. Today wasn’t just about celebrating the twins; it was also about celebrating how far their family had come—through sleepless nights, laughter-filled days, and moments that had tested them but ultimately brought them closer.“Mommy!” Elara’s voice echoed down the hallway, followed by the sound of li
Stefani’s heart fluttered with excitement as she paced the living room, her phone clutched tightly in her hand. She glanced at the clock for the hundredth time, mentally calculating the minutes left before Jacob was supposed to arrive. The house had been transformed into a celebration space, a labor of love that had taken weeks of planning and countless late nights spent coordinating with friends and family. The air was thick with anticipation, and the only thing left to do was wait for the guest of honor to walk through the door.Jacob had reached a major milestone in his career—winning a prestigious award for excellence in business management, something that had been his goal for years. It was a recognition of his hard work, long hours, and dedication, but more than that, it was a symbol of how far he had come. Stefani had watched him pour his heart and soul into his work, even though he once lost sight of their family.So, when she heard about the award, Stefani knew she had to cel
The sun was just starting to rise, casting a golden glow over the city, but Stefani had been up for hours. Her heart raced with a mixture of excitement and nerves as she stood in front of the mirror, brushing her hair and making final adjustments to her outfit. Today was the day. After years of dreaming, planning, and putting it off for her family, she was about to open her very own bakery.Stefani had always loved baking. It was more than a hobby for her; it was a passion, a way to express her creativity and share joy with others. From the time she was little, she would spend hours in the kitchen, covered in flour and experimenting with different flavors. But as life moved forward—marriage, children, and all the responsibilities that came with them—her dream of opening her own bakery had taken a back seat.Until now.Jacob had been her biggest supporter, urging her to follow her heart and make this dream a reality. He’d helped her find the perfect location for the bakery—a charming l
The school auditorium buzzed with excitement, filled with the soft murmur of parents, teachers, and children waiting for the talent show to begin. Stefani sat beside Jacob in the front row, her heart racing with a mix of pride and anticipation. She held Jacob’s hand tightly, glancing at the small stage where, in just a few moments, Ethan and Elara would perform in their first-ever talent show.The twins, now five years old, had been practicing for weeks. Every day after school, Stefani and Jacob would find them in the living room, dancing, singing, and occasionally arguing over who got to lead. It had been a rollercoaster of giggles, minor frustrations, and endless rehearsals. Now, the big day had finally arrived.Stefani shifted in her seat, excitement bubbling in her chest as she watched the children backstage. "I can't believe our babies are up there," she whispered to Jacob, her voice filled with awe. "It feels like just yesterday they were learning to walk."Jacob smiled, squeezi
The gentle breeze rolled off the sea, carrying with it the salty freshness of the ocean. The sun hung low on the horizon, casting a golden glow over the pristine sands of the island they had just arrived on. It felt surreal to Stefani—the beauty of the place, the laughter of her children echoing in the air as Ethan and Elara chased each other down the shore. This island was nothing like anywhere they had been before, and for the first time in a long while, Stefani felt the worries of everyday life slip away.Jacob stood beside her, his eyes locked on the twins with a soft smile tugging at his lips. “It’s beautiful here, isn’t it?” he asked, his voice warm.Stefani nodded, her fingers lacing through his as she leaned into him. “It’s perfect,” she whispered. “I can’t believe we’re actually here. No work, no stress—just us.”He glanced down at her, something unreadable in his expression. “That’s exactly what I wanted, Stef. Just us. We’ve been through a lot, and I thought we could use so
It was a Wednesday afternoon when Stefani sat by the window, staring out at the garden while Elara and Ethan played outside. Their laughter echoed through the yard, but Stefani couldn’t find it in herself to join in. Her mind was miles away, consumed by the growing distance between her and Jacob.Days had turned into weeks since their last conversation about his workaholic tendencies, and though Jacob had apologized and promised to do better, nothing had changed. He was still coming home late, still missing family dinners, and still buried in projects that seemed more important than their family.The door opened, and Jacob walked in, looking as exhausted as ever. His tie hung loosely around his neck, and his shirt was wrinkled from a long day at the office. He glanced at Stefani, his eyes filled with that same apologetic look she had grown used to."Hey," he greeted her, dropping his briefcase by the door. "Sorry I'm late again. The meeting ran longer than expected."Stefani sighed, h
Stefani sat at the dinner table, her eyes tracing the empty seat across from her. The warm glow from the chandelier above felt dim compared to the brightness that used to fill their family meals. It wasn’t the first night Jacob had missed dinner, but it felt like the hundredth. His absence weighed heavily on her heart, an unspoken distance growing between them.Elara and Ethan, now five, chatted animatedly as they poked at their food, their little voices filling the silence Jacob had left behind. Stefani tried to focus on their laughter, their joy, but her mind kept drifting back to the clock on the wall, ticking louder and louder with every passing second. Each tick felt like a reminder that Jacob was missing yet another evening with his family.“Mommy, when is Daddy coming home?” Ethan’s soft voice cut through her thoughts. His big brown eyes were filled with innocent hope, the kind that still believed his father would walk through the door at any moment.Stefani’s heart clenched. S
Stefani sat by the window in their bedroom, watching the sunset as the soft orange hues danced across the horizon. The house was unusually quiet, save for the distant laughter of their children playing in the living room with their grandparents. She sighed, clutching her phone as her thumb hovered over Jacob’s contact.It had only been a few hours since she last saw him. He had left early in the morning for a meeting, and now the day was fading into night, with no sign of him returning. She knew Jacob loved her deeply, and she had no reason to doubt his loyalty. But still, the whisper of insecurities crawled into her mind ever since Olivia started working in his office.Despite Jacob’s reassurances and the fact that Olivia no longer bothered him, Stefani couldn't help but feel unsettled. She had always been confident in their relationship, but lately, small things seemed to gnaw at her sense of security. The little voice in her head was louder than usual.What if Olivia is still aroun