Chapter 14

Elara

We immediately returned to the school, where we found Zoe and Ella sitting in the principal’s office. Both girls were sniffling, tears and snot running down their faces. Their hair and uniforms were both disheveled, signs of a physical altercation having taken place.

The principal explained the situation—apparently, the girls had begun fighting during playtime, even going so far as to start shoving each other.

Alaric strode over to them, placing his hands on his hips. “What happened?” he demanded. Both girls shrank a little under his stern gaze, and I cast him a disapproving look before I crouched down to their level.

“What happened between you two?” I asked gently. “Let’s talk it out, okay?”

Zoe swiped her hand across her nose, her eyes brimming with fresh tears. “E-Ella wouldn’t talk to me,” she sniffled. “She said I stole her daddy.”

Ella, sitting nearby with her small fists clenched tightly, shot back with reddened eyes, “Then I’m going to steal your mommy!”

I exchanged a worried glance with Alaric. This was worse than I thought.

Zoe clung to my leg, her voice trembling. “Mommy, are you going to stop loving me like before?”

My heart twisted painfully. I knelt down beside her, pulling her into my arms. “Oh, Zoe, of course not,” I whispered, stroking her hair softly. “I will always love you, no matter what.”

Ella’s lower lip quivered as she watched us. Suddenly, she sprang up and ran into Alaric’s arms, looking up at him with a choked voice. “Daddy, am I not your daughter anymore? Do you not love me either?”

Alaric’s stern expression softened as he knelt down, wrapping his arms around her. “Ella, you will always be my daughter,” he said firmly. “Nothing will ever change that.”

He then reached out and gently pulled Zoe closer, so both girls were nestled between us. “Mommy and Daddy will always be here for you,” he murmured, taking even me by surprise with his tenderness. “No matter what happens, you’re both our precious little ones. We will always love you.”

I nodded, wiping away the tears from their cheeks. “That’s right,” I added softly. “You’re both so important to us.”

The girls began to calm down, their sniffles fading into silence. Zoe looked up at Alaric, tilting her head thoughtfully. “But... do you love Mommy?” she asked innocently.

I froze, my eyes darting toward Alaric. A faint blush crept up my cheeks, despite my best efforts to keep it at bay.

He glanced at me briefly, a wink darting across his eye. “Of course I do,” he replied smoothly, returning his attention to the girls. I felt my chest tighten a little, if only because I knew this was just an act for the children—and anyone else who might have been listening.

Love. That was not a possibility for me. Not with him or any other man.

Ella turned to me, her eyes wide and hopeful. “Mommy,” she whispered.

The simple word melted my heart. Without hesitation, I pulled both girls into a tight hug. “I love you both so much,” I murmured, feeling a warmth spread through me. At that moment, all my struggles felt worthwhile.

After picking the girls up from school later, we decided to take the children out for ice cream. The sun bathed the streets in a warm glow as we walked to the local ice cream parlor. Zoe skipped ahead, her earlier sadness forgotten. “Can I get extra sprinkles?” she asked excitedly.

“Me too!” Ella chimed in, her eyes lighting up.

I laughed softly. “Alright, extra sprinkles for both of you.”

As we sat outside enjoying our treats, I watched them giggle and make faces at each other, ice cream smudged adorably on their noses. Alaric sat beside me, a rare, gentle smile touching his lips as he observed them.

For a moment, just a moment, I imagined what it would be like to exist like this—forever. Just this moment, frozen in time.

We were a happy little family, if I forgot for a moment that Alaric and I were just pretending.

That night, back at the house, Alaric had already prepared his makeshift bed on the floor and was lying down to rest. I was about to climb into the bed when the door creaked open slowly. I looked up to see Zoe and Ella standing in the doorway, each clutching a pillow as they tiptoed into the room.

“Girls, what are you doing up?” I asked softly.

Zoe hugged her pillow tightly against her chest, looking at Alaric with a puzzled expression on her face. “Daddy, why are you sleeping on the floor?” she asked.

Alaric cleared his throat awkwardly. “Uh... I accidentally fell off the bed,” he mumbled.

Ella and Zoe exchanged a skeptical glance. Then, Zoe announced boldly, “We want to sleep with Mommy and Daddy tonight.”

Alaric scratched the back of his head, visibly uncomfortable. “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” he began. “The bed’s too small...”

“But didn’t you say today that you love us and Mommy?” Zoe insisted, her eyes wide and pleading.

He looked over at me, a hint of resignation in his gaze. I offered a slight shrug, suppressing a smile. One night wouldn’t hurt, I supposed, especially with the girls sleeping between us. And after their fight today, I didn’t want either of them to feel bad.

“Alright,” he sighed softly, moving onto the bed to make room. “But just for tonight.”

The girls beamed and scrambled onto the bed, nestling themselves comfortably between us. Zoe snuggled close to me, her tiny hand clutching mine, while Ella curled up next to Alaric, resting her head on his shoulder.

“Goodnight, Mommy,” Zoe whispered, her eyelids already drooping.

“Goodnight, sweetheart,” I replied, brushing a kiss against her forehead.

“Goodnight, Daddy,” Ella murmured softly.

“Sweet dreams, Ella,” Alaric responded.

The room settled into a peaceful silence, the soft breathing of the children lulling me to sleep. I was enveloped by warmth, a feeling of comfort I hadn’t experienced in years. It felt natural, like this was how it was always meant to be.

At some point during the night, I stirred, feeling a bit cramped. As I shifted slightly, I realized I was holding onto something firm and warm. Confused, I slowly opened my eyes, blinking to adjust to the dim light.

Alaric was lying beside me, his handsome face mere inches away. His features were softened in sleep, a few strands of dark hair falling across his forehead. My heart skipped a beat as I took in the serene expression he rarely showed when he was awake.

I glanced around and suddenly realized that Zoe and Ella had somehow left the bed. Perhaps they had returned to their own rooms, or maybe they were cuddled up elsewhere. Either way, it was just the two of us now.

I turned my gaze back to Alaric, a heady mixture of emotions swirling inside of me. Confusion, heartache, and maybe a hint of excitement, too. But there was something else.

His scent, like cedar and pine, wafted toward me as he shifted slightly. It was intoxicating, and utterly inescapable.

I couldn’t help it. I leaned closer, inhaling that scent.

As my eyes traveled over his face, taking in every detail, I felt a strange urge to reach out and brush the hair from his brow. My hand hovered hesitantly.

But then I looked up and froze.

Alaric’s eyes were open, watching me.