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.

Her nerves sparked to life as she quickly pulled the door open. The moment the door swung open, she saw her four children standing

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

her four

her eyes, calling out each of their

had grown so much,

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

children, and the longer she went without seeing them,

should be happy, no tears," Elowen consoled her as she was embraced, noticing her mother's eyes glistening.

family, but now, she had grown up, not just

more often," Sophia added,

just as they loved her in return. During

first, they would cry missing their mother, but over time, they learned to bury those feelings, focusing on their studies and training hard knowing

as she looked at her children growing up, becoming more understanding, feeling both proud and heartache. She nodded through her tears, "Okay, mom won't cry. I'll make sure to

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