Chapter 021

Growing Pains

The gentle nightlight cast its rrays across the nursery as Carlos was dutifully and gently patting his son, Alexander. He was trying everything possible to make the crying child go back to sleep.

On the other side of the room sat Isabelle in the rocking chair, nursing their daughter, Sophia. On the wall, the clock read, 3:17 AM— yet another sleepless night in the Fernandez household.

"Shh," whispered Carlos, his voice rough from his lack of sleep. "Papá's got you."

Isabelle looked at her husband, the love teeming out mingled with great frustration. Since the twins had finally come three months ago, Carlos had been almost obsessively overprotective. While she was thankful for it, deep down inside, she felt he was somehow pushing her away.

Finally, as Alexander's cries began to subside, a sigh of relief came from Carlos. He turned to Isabelle, the weariness that had etched itself into his face emerging in a smile. "I think he's finally calming down."

Isabelle nodded wear