Curiosity sparked in me as I looked up at him, "Why do you call me 'blue'?" Asher smiled, his eyes filled with love, "Because your eyes remind me of the vast, deep ocean, and your soul shines like the clearest sky on a bright day. You're my calming...
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Five years later, I sat at my vanity getting ready for a very special day—my daughter Aurelia Jane Carter's first birthday. My 3 Year-old son Theo wandered around me, his curiosity leading him from one shiny object to the next. He was a mumma's boy through and through, always hovering close, and I couldn't help but love how he made me feel like the center of his universe.
"Mommy, you're pretty!" he exclaimed, standing on his tiptoes to get a better look at me. I smiled down at him, my heart melting at his compliment. I knew he genuinely believed it, and that made all the difference."Thank you, sweetie," I replied, reaching down to give him a hug. Theo was all smiles, his little hands holding onto me tightly.
Asher often got jealous of how much Theo adored me, but deep down, we both knew Asher would always be Theo's hero. Whether it was reading bedtime stories or pretending to be superheroes, they had a bond that was unbreakable.
"Theo," I said, giving him a gentle nudge, "can you go check on Daddy? The party's starting soon, and we need to make sure he's ready.""Okay, Mommy!" Theo replied with enthusiasm, his little legs dashing out of the room to find Asher. I watched him go, his energy lighting up the space. The way he bounded around made me realize just how much joy he brought to our lives.
As I finished my makeup, I glanced at the gold outfits hanging on the closet door. Asher thought it would be cute for the four of us to twin for Aurelia's birthday party, and I loved the idea. Aurelia's little dress was adorable, a perfect shade of gold, and Theo had a dapper suit to match. Asher and I had coordinated too, subtle touches of gold that tied us all together.
I finished getting dressed for the party, smoothing out the gold dress that Asher had chosen for me. It was a stunning piece, shimmering as it caught the light, and it made me feel like a million bucks. Just as I was putting the finishing touches on my hair, Asher entered the room, stopping in his tracks as he stood there, mesmerized.
I couldn't help but laugh at his reaction. His eyes traveled up and down, a look of awe on his face that made me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world. "Wow," he said, his voice low and filled with admiration. "I married a goddess."
"Isn't that a bit too cheesy?" I teased, raising an eyebrow. "Do I need to remind you that we have two kids now?"
Asher smirked, taking a step closer. "Doesn't matter," he said, his tone growing playful. "You're still the sexiest mom around. And if you'd like, I can remind you later exactly how I feel about you." He leaned in and whispered something dirty in my ear, his breath warm against my skin.
I blushed, playfully pushing him back. "Asher! Not in front of the kids," I scolded, but I couldn't help the grin that spread across my face. He had a way of making me feel like it was just the two of us, even in a crowded room.
Asher chuckled, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Don't worry," he said, his hand resting on my waist. "I can be patient. But you look incredible, and I can't wait to see the look on everyone's face when they see you."
I rolled my eyes but couldn't help the flutter in my stomach. No matter how much time had passed, Asher's attention still made me feel like a queen. It was going to be a memorable day, and I was ready to enjoy every moment with my family by my side.
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The moment Aurelia cut into her first birthday cake, it was like a signal went off, and all the kids started jumping and shouting with excitement. Theo, Skyler, Evan, and Eliza—Lily and Liam's 2-year-old daughter—were a blur of energy, bouncing and clapping as if the cake was a piñata waiting to burst. Their parents couldn't help but laugh at the spectacle, the kids' enthusiasm spreading to everyone in the room.
Liam stood beside Christian and Asher, shaking his head in disbelief as he watched Eliza hop around the cake table. She was small but mighty, her energy enough to make anyone tired just watching her. "How do you guys manage with two kids?" he asked, looking at Christian and Asher with a mixture of awe and exhaustion. "I can't even control one!"
Christian chuckled, crossing his arms with a grin. "You just have to embrace the chaos, man. There's no other way." He glanced at Sophia, who was guiding Skyler away from the punch bowl before she could knock it over. "And having a good partner helps."
Asher nodded in agreement, watching Theo run around the room, weaving between the adults and the other kids. "Yeah, it's all about teamwork," he said, his eyes twinkling with humor. "And, you know, caffeine. Lots and lots of caffeine."
Liam laughed, shaking his head. "I don't know how you do it. I'm exhausted just looking at them." He glanced over at Lily, who was trying to keep Eliza from sticking her fingers into the frosting. "Maybe I should've had a stronger cup of coffee this morning."
The adults continued to share stories and advice, the chaos of the kids swirling around them. It was noisy, hectic, and absolutely perfect. The birthday party was in full swing, and the joy in the room was infectious. The kids' excitement was a reminder that these moments—no matter how wild they got—were the ones that made life truly special.
I stood back for a moment, watching the party in full swing. The room was alive with laughter, kids running around, and conversations weaving through the air. It was a beautiful scene—our parents mingling, Christian and Sophia chatting with Liam and Lily, their kids joining in the fun, and Asher somewhere in the midst of it all. I felt a sense of contentment wash over me, the kind that only comes from knowing you belong.
As I watched everyone, I couldn't help but think about how much my life had changed. There was a time when I felt the sting of rejection from Asher, a time when I thought he'd never see me the way I saw him. But here we were, with two incredible kids, a marriage filled with love, and a family that felt like the best kind of home. Despite all the hurdles, all the challenges, our love blossomed into something beautiful.
Just then, I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder. I turned to see Asher, his smile lighting up his face. Without a word, I said, "I love you," and he replied in kind, his voice warm and familiar. He leaned in and kissed me, a sweet and lingering kiss that made everything else disappear for a moment.
Before we could get too carried away, Theo came running over, his little feet tapping against the floor. "Mommy, Daddy!" he called, excitement in his voice. At the same time, Aurelia started crawling toward us, her baby babbles filling the air. Asher reached down and lifted Theo into his arms, while I picked up Aurelia, her tiny hands grabbing at my dress.
I looked at our little family, Asher holding Theo, me holding Aurelia, and I couldn't help but think, "This is it. This is everything I've ever wanted." It was a perfect moment, filled with love, warmth, and the unmistakable feeling that we were right where we were supposed to be. I couldn't wish for a better life, and I knew, despite everything, I wouldn't trade it for the world.
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This is it, guys . I love you all so much and I love this book so much as well. This is the ending of the book but you'll get bonus chapters later.
