• • •

• • •

"Our two-year-old screeches the second I unlock the door. Her tiny legs carry her as fast as they can in the direction of my husband who languidly leans against the hallway wall, arms folded and legs crossed at the ankle.

The moment Judah catches Mina's pigtails bouncing on the run up, his lips split into a beaming grin, instantly crouching down to capture our daughter safely in his arms. I smile softly at the sight, carefully rocking Sofia back and forth when she stirs in her sleep. The baby wrap I wear causes her little body to slump on my chest, sleeping soundly away.

Her cheek squishes against my collarbone, small mouth puffed open as she snores gently. I don't have time to appreciate our daughter's sleeping form, to fawn over how adorable she looks, when our son makes his presence known.

"Baba, move," the four-year-old grumbles. "I want to see Mama and baby Fifi."

"Bhaiya," Mina interrupts with a frown.

Judah holds her up, pressing a kiss to her head and flashes me a smile across the room. My heart warms at the sight, at the words we want to say but limit to knowing glances and shy smiles. Because it doesn't matter how long we've been married, or together, Judah will always have my heart galloping at the sight of his beautiful smile and kind eyes.

A sight I've been forever blessed to see.

"What's wrong, sweetheart?" Judah asks and brushes a hand down Mina's head. "Daddy's got you."

"Give bhaiya hug," she says.

Ezio makes a face and I want to do nothing more than laugh at the sight. Our little man was a carbon copy of his father. From the grumpy attitude to the irritated smiles, he emulated everything Judah swore he didn't do, but did. And I absolutely adored it. Regardless, the love Ezio had for his sisters made me blind with joy.

If there was one thing I wanted to teach them, it was to love blindly. Sure, they had their little episodes, their tantrums, but watching them grow up to be each other's best friend bought me nothing but immense happiness.

And I thought I knew what love was with Judah, but then we had three beautiful children and life suddenly seemed complete. Like this is where I was always meant to be, no matter the storm. With Judah by my side, always.

We promised forever. Just the two of us until the end.

"Hi, pretty baby," a soft breath whispers into my ear, causing me to gasp softly. "Where's your pretty little head at?"

I'm too far gone into my little daydream that I just about register Ezio grab Mina's hand, directing her into our open living room. Judah and I follow after them, occasionally drifting our gaze to Sofia who remains snoring away. My lips twitch up into a smile, the back of my finger brushing her cheek.

I turn to Judah.

"I missed you."

"Is that so?" He lifts a brow.

"You can be pretty convincing when you want to be."

"Wow," he breathes out and feigns offence. "All it takes is a little bedroom talk for you to come home? I might have to try that more often."

"Oh, you wish," I pinch his side. "I came home because my feet are hurting and Mina was getting restless."

"Hm, what's it going to take to feel wanted around here?"

"A back rub and some flowers," I suggest.

His lips brush the crown of my head. "Well, my beautiful wife, your weekly delivery of tulips are waiting for you in our kitchen," and his hand falls to my thigh to caress the flesh. "As for that back rub, you know how that usually ends, do you not?"

I flash him a teasing smile. "I can deal with the consequences."

"Oh, I know you can but baby, you need to rest."

"Alright, alright. Back rubs are off the table."

A relaxed sigh falls from my lips when he snakes an arm around my waist and pulls me to his chest. My back meets his front as his arms wrap around my body, caging me in.

This feels like home.

Head tilted back, Judah brings his mouth to mine in a short, sweet kiss. I don't have the time to bask in his presence and warmth when Fifi stirs awake, gummy mouth opening into a wide yawn.

I coo and glance to Judah, who's always looking close to tears around our children. Purely out of love and admiration. It's a sight to behold, but I let him have his moment, because I know what this means to him. When Ezio was born, not only did he cry—as he proceeded to do so when Mina and Sofia were born—but Judah was so afraid, so afraid, of messing up, of falling into the same steps as his mother.

There were many sleepless nights reassuring him that he was doing his best; that despite not having the best upbringing, he knew what he was doing, that he wasn't a fuck up. How he's raised Jesmyn and Kenji single-handedly and he did a brilliant job.

Judah owed himself the grace he gave to others, and sure he's a little lenient with himself now, but he was still learning. Still growing. Still healing. I could never hold that against him.

"Right, I've missed my little girl. You need to stop holding her hostage and give her to me," Judah announces, holding me tighter.

His arm hovers over my shoulder, thumb brushing across her delicate cheek. She gurgles and we smile at the sound.

"Never! You've already cut my mother-daughters day short; you can't steal this one joy from me too."

I lean into his warmth and the vibration of his chest when he hums sends a shiver down my spine. "Sue me. I missed all three of my girls."

"You're not sick of me yet?" I ask.

He kisses my neck. "Never. Even in death you'll be mine, Mrs Savestano. I wouldn't want to live in a world where you're not in it."

My body flushes and I grin. "I love you, Mr Savestano. Forever."

"No take backs?" Ezio and Mina ask, interrupting the two of us.

If there was anything I wanted, it was for our children to be exposed to nothing but healthy love. Love that is reciprocated, love that you read about in books. I wanted them to know that there is such a thing as soulmates, and that love is beautiful with the right person—after all, they were the proof.

A laugh echoes throughout the room. Judah joins in soon after and when he holds my stare, the world stops spinning. Time slows down and it is only us. Always.

"No take backs," we whisper, our version of a promise.

SURPRISEThis is long overdue so I'm sorry about that but here's a bonus chapter that has been sitting in my drafts! I have also forgotten how to write so sue me please!

Enjoy!!!

Also a little bit of shameless self promo, but I've also recently posted a new WIP called When Two Worlds Collide. If you enjoy:

✨ grumpy x sunshine

✨ fake engagement

✨single dad/age gap

✨ he falls first AND harder

then please do check it out. it is one of my better pieces i must admit🫣

ig: @/friesandcries.wp