Sorry for the delay, but one of our close relatives were in the hospital until today so I had had to stay with them there, that's why I couldn't update on time like usual.
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The weekend came with a stretch of pale blue sky and a breeze that smelled faintly of blooming grass.Leon loaded the stroller into the trunk while Aria buckled the triplets into their car seats, each little head bobbing with excitement—or at least curiosity.
"Everyone ready for their grand adventure?" Leon asked, glancing into the back seat.
Elias blinked up at him with his usual calm seriousness, clutching his plush bunny. Lila gave a squeal, kicking her legs against the seat. Amara tried to grab the strap of Aria's bag, her tiny fingers surprisingly determined.
By the time they reached the park, the sun had warmed the air enough for Aria to take off her light jacket. Leon unfolded the stroller and they set off toward the fenced play area.
The park wasn't crowded, just a few families scattered on the grass. The distant ripple of the river was a gentle undercurrent beneath the laughter of children and the soft chime of wind through budding leaves.
The first stop was the baby swings—low to the ground, with bucket seats that swallowed the triplets' tiny frames. Leon lifted Lila in first, her eyes going wide as she felt the gentle sway beneath her. Then Amara, who immediately kicked as if testing how far she could go. Elias was last, gripping the sides of the seat with quiet concentration as Leon gave a careful push.
Aria crouched in front of them, holding her phone, capturing their faces as the swings moved back and forth. Lila's delighted giggles tangled with Amara's more high-pitched squeals. Elias simply watched, taking in every detail—the chain links above him, the way Leon's hands moved with the rhythm, the shadows of the swings on the sand below.
After a while, they moved to the grass. Leon spread out a blanket, and the triplets crawled between their parents, distracted by leaves, pebbles, and the way the sunlight dappled over them.
It was then that the butterfly appeared—fluttering in lazy circles before drifting down, as if curious itself. It hovered over the blanket, dipping toward the girls first, who reached for it with chubby hands. And then, as if choosing, it landed gently on Elias's nose.
For a heartbeat, Elias went cross-eyed trying to see it. Then he stilled completely, almost reverent. The girls erupted into squeals, and Aria's laughter rang out, pure and bright.
Leon grinned, leaning closer to murmur, "Guess it knows who the calm one is."
The butterfly lifted off, spiraling away into the warm air. Elias watched it go, his gaze following until it vanished over the treetops.
They stayed until the sun began to lower, golden light turning the river's surface into ripples of fire. On the way home, all three children dozed in their seats, their cheeks still flushed from the day's air.
Leon glanced at Aria in the passenger seat, her hair loose from the breeze, a soft smile lingering on her lips.
"We should do this more often," he said quietly.
She reached over to squeeze his hand. "We will."