Becoming strangers again (Lily and Ryan)



Ryan

The living room was filled with everything I've ever wanted and asked for, the soft glow of the lamps making everything feel peaceful, almost like the world outside didn't exist. For a moment, I let myself believe it. That nothing bad had ever happened. That we weren't waiting for another trial. That our family wasn't still healing.

Liam and Noah were curled up on the couch, their little bodies pressed against Lily as she read them a bedtime story. Ethan, our youngest, sat on my lap, his fingers wrapped around mine as he fought sleep.

His little head kept drooping, but every time his eyes closed, he would shake himself awake, like he didn't want to miss a single second of being with

us.

Lily glanced up from the book, her eyes meeting mine. She smiled-soft, full of love. The kind of smile that made me forget about everything except her. Except us.

"You're falling asleep, sweetheart,” she murmured to Ethan, brushing a hand over his dark curls.

Ethan yawned, blinking up at her with sleepy eyes. "Not sleepy," he mumbled, even as his grip on my hand loosened.

I chuckled, pressing a kiss to the top of his head. "Sure, buddy. You look wide awake."

Liam, who was eight and far too smart for his own good, smirked. "He always says that, but then he sleeps first."

Noah giggled. “Like magic."

Lily laughed softly, closing the book and pulling the triplets closer. "Okay, bedtime for all of you."

A chorus of groans followed, but they didn't fight her too hard. They were tired too. It had been a long day, but at least it had been a good one. A normal one.noveldrama

I carried Ethan to his room, gently tucking him under the covers. He was already half-asleep, his tiny fingers gripping my shirt for a

second before letting go. I ran a

hand through his soft hair, my chest tightening with love so strong it almost hurt.

"I love you, little man," I whispered.

His lips parted in a sleepy mumble. "Love you too, Daddy."

I stayed there for a moment, just watching him breathe. Remembering how close we had come to losing him. To losing all of them.

When I stepped back into the hallway, Lily was there, watching me. She didn't say anything-she didn't have to. I pulled her into my arms, holding her close, pressing my forehead against hers.

"They're safe," she whispered.

I nodded, closing my eyes. "Yeah."

Lily's fingers traced small circles on my back. “No matter what happens, we have each other. We have them. That's all that matters."

I cupped her face, brushing my thumb over her cheek. "You and the kids are my everything, Lily. I don't know what I'd do without you."

She smiled, leaning into my touch. "Well, lucky for you, you'll never have to find out."

I kissed her then, slow and deep, pouring every bit of love and gratitude into it. She melted against me, ber hands threading through my hair, pulling me even closer.

No matter what was coming, no matter how hard it got, I knew one thing for sure this love, this family, was stronger than anything.