Post–celebration blues.

(ARIELLE'S

POV)

The drive home was quiet, save for Maverick's intermittent curious questions. "Mommy, why do the houses seem to be following us!" He asked, pointing at the houses outside the window, with wide eyes. I smiled and leaned back in my seat "They're not following us, dear. We're just driving past them," I explained, trying to stifle a yawn.

Maverick nodded thoughtfully and continued to gaze out the window, taking in the sights and sounds of the passing objects. Mom sat quietly, tapping away at her phone.

Dwayne, on the other hand, was fixated on the road ahead, his grip firm on the steering wheel. I sighed and took out my phone, deciding to read trending gossip on blogs to kill boredom.

A few minutes later, we arrived home, and everyone alighted from the car, stretching their arms and legs. Dwayne helped with the bags in the trunk, and I asked him to come in for tea, but he declined.

"I have some important things to tend to at home," he explained, smiling apologetically as he handed me my bag.

Maverick, who was next to us, looked up at him, his eyes pleading. "Will you come with the dogs so we can take them on a walk together?" he asked, his voice filled with excitement.

Before the trip to the beach house, Dwayne asked one of his men to take the dogs to his place and tend to them until we returned.

"Sure, buddy. I'll come with the dogs, and we

"All right," Maverick accepted.

turned around and walked outside. It had been

we're dedicated to putting the house in order and unpacking. Mom helped sort through the bags and put away the clothes, toiletries, and gifts. Maverick was happy to help as he wouldn't stop chatting about the birthdays and the highlights of the

woman who sang for you, Mommy.

like Sia. But trust Maverick to compare Bella to every beautiful woman he

we finished unpacking,

dinner so

could eat when they got back from their walk with the dogs. I made pasta with tomato sauce and

Dwayne came with the dogs, and he and Maverick went on a walk together. While they were away, I went through my business progress in my absence through the report Stephen had sent earlier. I sat at my desk, sipping

through the

laptop.

schedule for the next day, as I intended to resume work. I made a to-do list and set reminders on my phone,

returned. We had an early dinner together, chatting about trivial topics, with my birthday party topping the

dinner, Dwayne

with Maverick

tucked Maverick into bed afterward, reading him his bedtime story as

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