ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY TWO

SYLVIA'S POV

I woke up the next morning with my head resting on Grayson's chest. His steady heartbeat was comforting, and I couldn’t help but smile as I looked up at him.

“Careful not to fall in love,” Gray murmured with his eyes still closed, his voice carrying a teasing note.

I chuckled softly and playfully hit him with a pillow. “You’re so full of it,” I said, smiling at Grayson, who chuckled at the exchange.

Grayson wrapped an arm around me briefly before I got up. “I’ve got to get the kids ready for school,” I said, stretching and heading toward the bathroom. As I walked away, I heard Grayson’s soft laughter behind me, and I felt a warmth in my chest that made getting up early a little easier.

I walked into the kids’ room and found them still curled up under their blankets. I leaned in and gently shook them awake, but they just burrowed deeper, pretending to stay asleep. Smiling, I decided it was time for a little fun. I started tickling them, and soon enough, their gigg