The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet (Thalassa and Elowen)

"Don't worry, I've got this," Thalassa said, straining to help her pull up the zipper, which was proving to be quite the challenge.

"Have you been indulging a bit too much lately?" Thalassa asked as she gave it her all.

The zipper got stuck halfway up her back, refusing to budge any further.

Clearly, Hertha had put on a bit of weight.

"Ah, well, I might have let myself go a bit after marrying Alaric," Hertha admitted sheepishly.

"It's alright, it still fits," Thalassa reassured her, gripping the fabric on either side of the zipper and with a final yank, the zipper slid into place. "There we go."

"Phew, finally done. Glad it still fits," Hertha sighed in relief, her anxiety melting away.

"Mom, Hertha, what's taking you guys so long?" a youthful voice called from outside the door.

the door open. The moment the door swung open, she saw her four

already reaching five feet, while the girls weren't far behind at

were her

exclaimed with tears brimming in her eyes, calling out each of their names and rushing

little ones had grown so much, almost

one to the next, each hug brief but filled with all the strength of her love, wishing she could pour

a while since she last saw her children, and the longer she went without seeing them, the more Thalassa

no tears," Elowen consoled her as she was

the crybaby of the family, but now, she had grown up, not just holding back her own

visit you more often," Sophia added, comforting her as

as they loved her in return. During their three years

over time, they learned to bury those feelings, focusing on their studies and training hard knowing that excelling would earn them the chance to

Thalassa's face as she looked at her children growing up, becoming more understanding, feeling both proud and heartache. She

it's a day of joy, no need for tears. Let's finish getting ready, it's