Sitting in the recliner, Marissa leaned back a little with a cute baby boy in her arms who was sleeping peacefully on her chest.
The triplets were busy building Legos and in between each one of them would visit her and plant a kiss on the baby’s head.
"Isn’t he just amazing, mom?" Ariel told her this may be for the hundredth time. And Marissa agreed with it.
After a few minutes, the kids went inside as they wanted to prepare some snacks along with their nanny.
"Hey, my beautiful wife!" she smiled without even turning when heard her husband’s voice. He dragged another recliner close to her and then plopped on it.
He reached out and took the baby from her arms, "Look at him. He’s sleeping, not giving a damn about his surroundings."
He was holding the baby so lovingly that Marissa wanted to cry. He couldn’t see how his babies looked when they were born.
And now the way he was watching little Jackson was so heartwarming.
***
They were standing in the kitchen with little Jackson sleeping after getting fed and nappy changed. This time Rafael did the duty and brought him in a carrycot to place it on the kitchen table.
"We have a baby monitor, honey," Marissa told her husband after lowering the flame of the burner where she was steaming the vegetables.
"I want him with me for some more time. His mom can come any minute to pick him up," He was brushing his finger on the baby’s little head when someone stepped into the kitchen,
"His mom is here!" Sophie squealed in the doorway.
"Sophie!" Marissa and Rafael spoke together when saw her coming towards the carrycot with that motherly smile.
"Hey, Jackie! My love!" she picked the baby up and looked at her friends, "I really needed this date with my husband. Thank you for taking care of him," Rafael patted her shoulder before leaving the kitchen.
"What are you making?" she asked Marissa after placing Jackie back in his little cot.
"Vegetable soup. We already had too many snacks so..." Marissa removed the cover to check the carrots.
"What is she doing here?" Sophie asked her in a tight voice making Marissa look up from the pot. Valerie was coming out of the kids’ bedroom.
"Rafael and I decided to let her meet the kids under our strict check," Marissa saw Valerie walking out with Alex walking beside her.
Abi was following her aunt with those puppy eyes. Marissa knew about Ariel. She didn’t seem to like her aunt. She liked Giana more.
Everyone seemed closer to Aunt Giana as compared to Valerie.
"Keep her at arm’s length, Mar," Worry was evident in Sophie’s voice, "She is a big walking red flag."
"I know," Marissa nodded. She also didn’t like Valerie’s presence. She thought to talk to Rafael about her.
These visits needed to be minimized.
***
"I love you, daddy!"
"I love you daddy!"
"Goodnight!"
The kids were hugging their father before going to bed. Rafael kissed each of their cheeks and when they left, he held Marissa’s hand in his.
"Let’s go for a walk. I need some fresh air," Marissa looked at her husband’s back who was walking one step ahead of her.
"I love you so much, my love."
"And I love you more, my love."
That same day Rafael decided not to let Valerie enter his paradise again. If his wife wasn’t comfortable then no one was allowed to mess with her mind.
Not at all!
***
He was right when he said that Marissa always surprised him. Because, after nine months in the hospital, Marissa gave birth to twin babies. A girl and a boy.
This time Rafael stayed with her and didn’t leave her side for even a minute.
That day he felt like he had gotten everything back.
When they brought the babies home, the triplets excitedly welcomed their parents and their siblings with a decorated room.
They were over the moon for getting a sister and a brother. Standing at the edge of the bed, excitedly watching their tiny siblings’ delicate hands and toes, their faces were filled with awe.
Settled in her bed, Marissa found Rafael rummaging for the kids’ bottles, a crease of worry on his forehead. When he finally found them, he came over with a sheepish grin and leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her lips.
At that moment, surrounded by their children, Marissa Sinclair knew this was the life she had always dreamed of.
The secret glance from her husband made her smile.
"I love you," he mouthed silently, and Marissa closed her eyes in bliss.
She felt an overwhelming sense of peace, knowing that this was exactly where she was meant to be.
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