Ron and Dream came home.
From that day on, Ron became unusually proactive. He looked after everything—Dream, Ines, and the entire house. He cooked every meal, cleaned without complaint, and even fed Dream himself when she was too tired. When Dream slept, Ron held Ines in his arms, rocking her gently through the quiet hours.
Ron played with Ines while Dream watched from a distance, her eyes soft, her lips curved into a faint smile.
Days passed like this—warm, slow, and peaceful.
Then winter arrived.
Life continued normally, but Ron worked nonstop. He became an all-rounder, moving from one task to another without rest. He slept only four or five hours a night.
One evening, Ron and Dream sat in front of the fireplace. The flames flickered gently, filling the room with warmth. Ines slept soundly in Ron's arms.
Both of them stared at her sleeping face.
Both of them felt the same quiet warmth in their hearts.
"Dream," Ron said, trying to sound casual.
Dream sensed it immediately.
"Yes?"
Ron looked at her for a long moment.
"I don't want to bring that up… now that Ines is born."
He smiled faintly and rested his head on Dream's shoulder.
"It's nothing," Ron said.
Silence stretched between them—but it wasn't uncomfortable.
It was warm.
Later that night, Ron and Dream sat together on the couch. Dream was holding Ines in her arms.
She was smiling, but something felt off.
"Ron," Dream said softly.
Ron looked at her.
"Ines," she said.
Ron smiled and gently patted Ines's head.
For a brief moment, deep sadness flickered inside him—but he forced himself to stay present.
"I'm happy to have you," Ron said. His eyes grew watery as he pulled Dream and Ines into his arms.
"Ines's hair…" Dream murmured. "It's the same color as my mother's. And her eyes are like your mother's."
"Your mother?" Ron asked gently. "Can I ask about her?"
Dream looked up at the ceiling.
"I don't remember her face," she said quietly. "I only have one picture in my memory… where only her white hair is visible."
She smiled at Ron.
Then, suddenly, she started crying.
"She died when I was very small."
Ron carefully moved Ines to his other side, then turned back and wrapped Dream in his arms.
"It's okay, Dream," Ron whispered. "I'm here now. I'll always be here—until my last breath."
Dream sank deeper into his embrace.
And that's when it triggered a memory.
"From now on, call me Dream. And I'll call you—"
Little Dream said to little Ron, giving him a thumbs-up.
Ron snapped back to the present and held Dream a little tighter.
"Remember when you told me to call you Dream?" Ron said with a small laugh.
Dream's crying slowly stopped. She looked up at Ron—he was smiling.
She smiled back.
"Yes. I also named you something… but I don't remember what it was."
She relaxed and leaned into his embrace.
"We were kids," Ron said softly.
Dream nodded.
"Ron."
"Yes, Dream?"
"I want to see Ines."
Ron smiled. He carefully turned, picked up Ines, and placed her in Dream's arms.
Dream looked down at her daughter, her voice barely a whisper.
"We finally have a little family."
She rested her head on Ron's shoulder—and slowly fell asleep.
Ron first took Dream and Ines to the bedroom.
As he was about to pull the blanket over them, he noticed something—
two small red eyes staring back at him.
Ron leaned closer and whispered, "My little Ines woke up."
Ines blinked slowly.
Ron smiled. "Wow… wonderful Ines."
He gently placed a finger over his lips and gestured toward Dream. Mama is asleep.
Ines blinked again, as if she understood.
Ron carefully scooped her into his arms and looked down at her tiny face.
"Ines," he whispered, his voice trembling, "if only I could save you… and your mother… and your upcoming sister."
He swallowed. "I want to stay in the present, but my mind keeps drifting toward the future."
His eyes grew watery.
"You know," Ron continued softly, "once your mother told me that we should go far away from this place and live a quiet life. But I was so dumb back then."
A bitter smile crossed his face.
"I wanted answers. I wanted to know about my past. If I could do it again… I'd choose to leave everything behind. I'd choose a new, quiet life—with you and your mother."
Ines only stared at him, blinking calmly.
Ron kept holding her, staring back—until he didn't realize when sleep finally claimed him.
Early the next morning, Dream woke up.
She saw Ron sitting upright, his back resting against the headboard, fast asleep. Ines lay peacefully in his arms, her tiny chest rising and falling.
Dream smiled.
She gently lifted Ines from Ron's arms and carefully laid Ron down. Then she looked at her daughter.
"My beautiful Ines," she whispered, kissing her cheek softly.
Dream lay there for a while, doing nothing.
She simply watched the two sleeping beside her, committing the moment to memory.
Then a notification sound broke the silence.
She picked up her phone. It was Lia.
Good morning, Dream. How are you? How's your daughter?
And when are you free? I want to come see her—I am her aunt.
Dream smiled and replied:
I'm free. You can come anytime you want.
A moment later, another message appeared.
And Dream…
She waited.
I received a parcel yesterday. I was told to give it to Ron.
I thought I'd give it to you instead, since he's supposed to be training.
Dream frowned slightly and typed:
Ron is here.
There was a pause.
Wasn't he supposed to be training?
He snuck out. No one knows.
Please don't tell anyone.
Lia replied with a few thumbs-up emojis.
Okay, okay.
Dream texted
I'll be waiting for you.
Dream closed her phone and looked back at Ron… then at Ines.
Why would someone send something meant for Ron to Lia's address?
Why not send it directly to our house?
A quiet unease settled in her chest.
I have a bad feeling about this, Dream thought.