The next morning, the house smelled like warm waffles and baby lotion. The soft hum of the dishwasher, the gentle rustle of blankets in the nursery, and the occasional sleepy coo from the twins made the house feel alive — not chaotic, but whole.
Luna stood at the front door with her suitcase, eyes misty but smiling. "I still can't believe I finally met them. Elio and Liora are perfect."
Elena pulled her into a hug, tight and full of years lost and love never faded. "Next visit, I want to meet your fiancé."
"He's dying to come. And he already said Zayden's intimidating just based on the way I described him." She grinned over Elena's shoulder.
Zayden, leaning against the wall behind them with Elio on his chest, smirked. "I'm flattered."
Luna rolled her eyes and turned back to Elena. "You're glowing. You're happy. And that's all I ever wanted for you."
Elena nodded, emotion thick in her throat. "Come back soon, okay?"
"Try and stop me."
With one last wave, Luna was gone.
---
The house fell quiet again.
Zayden walked into the nursery to tuck Elio back beside his sister, then returned to their room where Elena was curled under a soft beige blanket, scrolling idly on her phone.
He climbed in beside her, arm sliding around her waist.
"Mood check?" he whispered into her hair.
She looked up at him with a small pout. "A little tired. A lot soft."
He blinked. "Soft?"
She hesitated. "Do you think I look… I don't know… a little chubby?"
Zayden stared at her for a second before chuckling—gently, not mocking—like she had just asked the most ridiculous question in the world.
"Elena."
"What?"
"You just carried two human beings inside your body. You brought life into this world. You're soft where it matters, strong where it counts, and to me…" He tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "You're the most adorable, ridiculously beautiful person I've ever seen."
She smiled slowly, lips curving upward as she leaned into his chest.
"I mean it," he said, wrapping both arms around her now. "You in oversized sweaters, hair a mess, stealing my hoodies and snacks? Cutest thing alive. You walking into the room in that hospital gown with tears in your eyes but determination in your soul? Most beautiful woman I've ever seen. You, right now, asking that question with sleep in your voice and love in your eyes?" He kissed her forehead. "I'm obsessed."
She let out a shaky laugh. "You're too much sometimes."
"Never. I'm just the right amount of crazy for the woman I love."
Elena grinned as she lay her head on his chest. "You're a softie now."
"For you? Always."
And for a while, they stayed like that—wrapped in each other, wrapped in warmth, no worries, no noise—just the soft beat of two hearts that had been through storms and still found their rhythm.
---