Becoming Strangers Again by Lily

Chapter 184

Ryan

The living room was filled with everything I've ever wanted and asked for, the soft glow of the lamps making everything feel peaceful, almost like the world outside didn't exist. For a moment, I let myself believe it. That nothing bad had ever happened. That we weren't waiting for another trial. That our family wasn't still healing.

Liam and Noah were curled up on the couch, their little bodies pressed against Lily as she read them a bedtime story. Ethan, our youngest, sat on my lap, his fingers wrapped around mine as he fought sleep. His little head kept drooping, but every time his eyes closed, he would shake himself awake, like he didn't want to miss a single second of being with us.

Lily glanced up from the book, her eyes meeting mine. She smiled-soft, full of love. The kind of smile that made me forget about everything except her. Except us.

"You're falling asleep, sweetheart," she murmured to Ethan, brushing a hand over his dark curls. Ethan yawned, blinking up at her with sleepy eyes. "Not sleepy," he mumbled, even as his grip on my hand loosened.

I chuckled, pressing a kiss to the top of his head. "Sure, buddy. You look wide awake."

Liam, who was eight and far too smart for his own good, smirked. "He always says that, but then he sleeps first."

Noah giggled. "Like magic."

book and pulling the triplets closer. "Okay,

they didn't fight her too hard. They were tired too. It had been a long day, but at least it had been a

was already half-asleep, his tiny fingers gripping my shirt for a second before letting go. I

almost hurt.

love you, little

parted in a sleepy

stayed there for a moment, just watching him breathe. Remembering how close we had

stepped back into

was there,

anything—she didn't have to. I pulled her into my arms, holding her

"They're safe," she whispered.