My Love Until the Last Goodbye (Mary and Maximus) novel Chapter 1122

Valerie and Marcus were living a peaceful life. Of course, having twins came with its challenges, but nothing that couldn't be solved without too much fuss.

Valerie had returned to her jewelry business, and everything was running smoothly. On weekends, she made a point not to work so she could keep crossing off places from the list she'd made with her grandfather and spend quality time with her family.

To Valerie, life couldn't be more perfect.

Marcus was slowly lowering his guard with Alden, and that made their time together more pleasant every day.

John was growing up fast—and getting smarter too. He was no longer her baby, no longer her little doll. He was turning into a big boy, already showing signs of his father's character.

Ethan, meanwhile, had started showing different interests, which meant that sometimes, the boys didn't spend as much time together anymore.

Caroline and Albert were growing quickly, and each day they looked more and more like their father. Especially Carrie—she was starting to show facial features that resembled Marcus's, making her an especially beautiful baby.

And Albert—while it wasn't just because he shared a name with Valerie's grandfather—somehow, yes, it was. It felt like life had given Valerie the chance to see her beloved grandfather again, reflected in her beloved son. He was gentle, calm, and carefree—so different from Caroline.

"What are you looking at, my love?" Marcus asked, hugging her around the waist.

"I'm watching the kids… Have you realized how fast life is flying by?"

"Yes, we're not kids anymore, but I love how things are. I love seeing them grow up, watching them play. Look at them—our little ones are already walking, and they're lightning fast. We don't have the energy we used to, but we're hanging in there."

"I love you, Marcus. I love you so much, I don't even know how to put it into words… You're the love of my life. You know something?"

"I love you too, my love. And I'll never stop thanking life for you, for our children, for the long life we've built together. Now tell me—what's that something?"

"I'll never forget the day I realized I had feelings for you…"

"Oh yeah? When was that? Tell me! I know I'm charming, but I want to know the exact moment I swept you off your feet…"

"It was the night we stayed late working in your office. You offered to drive me home. You wanted to see Serenity, so we arrived and went to our room.

"Camille came with me to the kitchen, and I remember she was saying how attractive you were, that I should take notice. I just kept telling her she was crazy.

"But when I went to the bedroom to check on you both, you and Serenity were sound asleep. You were hugging her in our tiny bed—barely fitting in it. She was clinging to your fancy shirt, her little hands clenched into fists, holding onto you so you wouldn't leave.

"That's when I realized she loved you like a daughter loves a father. And me… I knew right then that was the last thing I needed to finally admit it—I liked you, I was attracted to you, and I wanted something with you.

"I remember you were wearing those rimless glasses, and you looked incredibly handsome. Camille and I used to call them your 'come-get-me' glasses."

Marcus pulled her into a tighter hug when he heard that. He had no idea so much had happened that night he stayed over with them.

He didn't say it at the time, but he'd already been fascinated by Valerie. He just struggled with whether it was right—being the best friend of Peter and feeling something for his friend's widow.

Marcus turned her around to face him and looked into her eyes.

"Val… I loved you long before that. I just didn't know how to accept it."

"I'll never regret a single thing we've been through. I'll never regret this…" he said, pointing toward the window, where their children were playing in the grass.

They got lost in a gaze and a kiss, when the house phone rang.