(SEVEN YEARS LATER)
The house was alive again.
Laughter filled the marble hallway, the kind that comes from lots of balloons, too much icing, and a whole day of celebrating two kids who thought the world was all about them.
Lina and Liam turned seven today. Seven.
Celine still couldn’t believe how quickly the years had gone–as if she’d only blinked and the tiny newborns she’d once cradled against her chest had become whirlwinds of energy and mischief.
The living room was filled with ribbons and half–eaten cake. Fumi had sent gifts all the way from Lagos- colorful handcrafted toys that instantly became the twins‘ favorites. Blake and Vincent arrived late (as usual), Vincent carrying an enormous teddy bear that was almost as tall as he was, while Blake, with her baby bump already showing, scolded him for spoiling the kids.
Caroline came with her husband and Hailey, their little girl, who was now taller than Lina by an inch and made sure to remind her of it every five minutes.
It was chaos, but it was a happy kind of chaos. And through it all, Celine couldn’t take her eyes off the boy sitting a little apart from the noise–her first baby, her pride, her heart.
Caesar had come home from London that morning. Twelve years old now–taller, leaner, his face losing that roundness of childhood. He still had Hunter’s eyes, but there was something else now–a quiet maturity that hadn’t been there before.
He sat by the window, scrolling lazily through his phone, pretending not to notice how often she glanced at him.
She’d tried not to cry at the airport earlier, tried to act like the cool, calm mother who didn’t cling. But when she saw him in his school blazer, taller than she remembered, voice deeper, smile more reserved–her heart had squeezed painfully.
He had hugged her, awkward and embarrassed, murmuring, “Mum, not here, please.”
But even then, she’d felt his arms tighten just a little before he pulled away.
Now, watching him from across the room, she saw flashes of the little boy he once was–the same boy who’d once refused to sleep without his stuffed dinosaurs, the one who used to sneak into their bed whenever there
was a storm.
Hunter came up behind her, his arm sliding around her waist, warm and familiar.
“He’s growing fast,” he murmured, following her gaze toward Caesar.
“Too fast,” she whispered. “He barely spoke at breakfast. Just told me London was fine, classes were fine, everything was fine. I don’t even know what he likes to eat anymore.”
14:59 Thu, Oct 9 Read complete version only at fιɴdnοvel.net
Hunter smiled, pressing a kiss to her temple. “You sound just like my mother did when I turned twelve.”
Celine rolled her eyes softly. “Oh please, Hunter. Your mother didn’t know how to worry about anyone but
herself
He chuckled, but there was tenderness in his voice. “He’s fine, Celine. He’s just… finding his own rhythm. London’s shaping him. You raised a good one.”
She leaned into him, sighing quietly. “I just hope he still needs me.” noveldrama
Hunter turned her gently to face him. “He’ll always need you. We all do.”
For a long moment, they just stood there–two parents watching their life unfold in front of them, their love woven into every sound, every smile, every echo of laughter from the garden.
Outside, the twins were blowing out candles, shouting over each other to make separate wishes. Lina wished for a puppy; Liam wished for a robot dog instead.
Celine laughed as she stepped out to join them, her heart full.
The day slipped into evening…… the sky painted pink and gold, the air thick with the smell of birthday cake and lilacs. Caesar eventually joined the twins in the garden, pretending to be too old to play, but secretly enjoying every second.
When he finally caught her looking, he smiled–small, shy, but real.
And just like that, the distance between them vanished.
Later that night, when the house quieted and the twins fell asleep surrounded by wrapping paper and ribbons, Celine stood by the window, looking out at the city lights. Hunter came up behind her again, his hands resting lightly on her shoulders.
“Seven years,” he murmured. “Can you believe it?”
She turned to face him, her eyes soft. “Sometimes it feels like yesterday. Other times, like another lifetime.”
He smiled…..the same smile that once broke through her walls all those years ago. “Whatever lifetime it is, I’m glad I get to live it with you.”
She touched his face, feeling the slight roughness and warmth. “And I with you,” she said softly. Outside, the garden lights shone gently, and she could hear their children’s quiet laughter from upstairs… three lives, three hearts, all part of the same story.
Celine closed her eyes and listened to the sounds of her home–the gentle noise of her family and the calm feeling of love that had lasted through everything and was still strong.
For the first time, she didn’t worry about what tomorrow would bring.
Because today was enough. And in the quiet moments between laughter and happiness, they found what they had always wanted–not perfection, but lasting love.
14:59 Thu, Oct 9
THE END…….
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BOOK TWO: “THE REID TRIOLOGY” Follows Caesar’s story “CAGED BY THE BILLIONAIRE HEIR” but it is only on NOVELLAIR (please check it out if you are into dark romance) THANKS FOR THE LOVE AND SUPPORT
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