Zayan sat on the edge of the bed, the faint light from his phone screen glowing on his face. He replayed the short video Melanie had sent—Liam, sitting in his hospital bed with the oxygen tube still on his little nose, giggling as he played with Kim. The sound of their laughter filled the quiet room. Zayan's lips curved into a soft smile as he watched. Beside him, Nora was still asleep, her chest rising and falling peacefully.
A moment of calm before the chaos.
Back home, they had shifted everyone back to the mansion. Joy echoed through the halls—Meeri had given birth to a healthy baby boy, while Rose had been admitted for some pain. The family felt alive again, with both worries and celebrations dancing side by side.
When their plane landed, Nora couldn't contain herself. She drove straight to the hospital, her hands gripping the wheel tightly.
"Slow down, love!" Zayan chuckled nervously, watching the speed climb.
They arrived safely. Zayan pressed a bottle of water into her hands. "Drink," he said firmly, his eyes soft with concern.
Nora gulped it down, then hurried into the room where they found their beloved Liam. The little boy stood with his arms behind his back like an old man, staring out the window at the glowing city.
"Hmmmmm… everywhere looks pretty," Liam mused aloud, swaying on his feet. Then he declared proudly, "Liam will be a president one day! Or a doctor! Yay!" He danced happily, legs kicking as his arms stayed tucked behind him.
"Li-Li?" Zayan and Nora's voices overlapped.
Liam spun around, eyes wide. "MAMA! DADA!" He ran straight to them, hugging them both with all his little strength.
"How was Poland?" he asked eagerly as Zayan scooped him into his arms.
"We brought back many things for everyone, my lovely boy," Zayan said warmly.
"Mama!" Liam squealed, jumping into Nora's arms. He peppered her with kisses.
"I missed you too," Nora whispered, returning each kiss with her own.
Just then, Kian walked in, his face glowing. "Well, I'm a father now. A beautiful baby boy!"
"Congratulations," Zayan said as Nora went to hug Meeri.
"Congratulations, girl!" Nora beamed, holding her tightly.
"Thank you…" Meeri said weakly, tears shining in her eyes.
Back at the mansion, Seraphina was in the backyard, training furiously. That was how she kept her mind calm—through discipline and battle. Lysander was happily eating under the watch of his nurse, Cassian, while Renna played with Kim. Kaz and Seth were buried in their video games until Billie and Lola walked in.
"Hi!" Billie called cheerfully.
Kaz turned, a smile tugging at his lips. "Is Nora back yet?" Billie asked.
"Not yet," Kaz replied, his gaze lingering on her. Billie blushed under the weight of his stare.
Suddenly, Liam burst inside, shouting, "AUNTIE K!!!"
"Li-Li!" Kaz grinned, hugging him tight.
Moments later, Zayan and Nora stepped in, hand in hand.
"Mama!" Lysander cried, running to hug her tightly.
"Where's Lilly?" Nora asked.
"She's training with Winter," Lysander said.
"Since when did Winter start training?" Nora frowned.
"Since I agreed to it," Kiernan answered, leading them toward the training grounds.
Outside, Seraphina and Winter were a whirlwind of fire and energy, tearing through obstacle robots. Seraphina flipped through the air, landing a kick that sent a robot's head flying.
"KNOCKOFF!" she yelled, breathing heavily.
Winter trapped another with ropes, ran between its legs, and split-kicked them down. "OUT!!!" she shouted.
They screamed in triumph, only to turn and see their family watching from the doorway.
"Mama!" Seraphina cried, running and flipping right into Nora's arms, kissing her cheek.
"Papa!" Winter called, leaping into Kiernan's embrace.
Liam came charging out next, holding chicken wings. "Mama, take!" he demanded, pushing one into her mouth. Then he kissed her lips. "Bye Mama!"
Zayan's eyes narrowed.
"Come on, he's a baby, Z," Nora teased, laughing.
Mocking her, Zayan said in a falsetto, "He's a baby," making her burst into more laughter.
Later, Billie handed Nora an invitation. "Reunion. Next Tomorrow."
"I'll be there," Nora promised, hugging her.
Kaz leaned toward Billie. "I'm taking you on a date tomorrow, okay sweetheart?"
Billie blushed furiously, nodding shyly before they left.
Zayan wrapped his arms around Nora. "Well, it's my turn to dress you up for this reunion. I'll go shopping."
Nora chuckled at his excitement. "Oh, really?"
"Yes. And I'll make it perfect," he said with a mischievous grin, kissing her deeply.
The next day, after a long bath together, they collapsed into sleep. Zayan eventually slipped out, keeping his promise. With Melanie's expert eye for fashion, he bought Nora stunning dresses, lingerie sets, and even had her G-Wagon repainted sleek black.
Back home, he prepared white rice and curry beef, feeding the twins patiently. Nora finally appeared, hair messy and eyes sleepy, Elowen in her arms.
The twins burst out laughing.
"Very funny," she muttered, rolling her eyes.
Kaz strolled in. "Uhmm, Zayan… was Liam an old man in his past life?"
Zayan blinked. "Why?"
"Look at him," Kaz said, pointing toward the window.
There was Liam again, arms behind his back, orange jumpsuit on, a beanie pulled low, staring outside with the serious face of a tiny philosopher.
"Buddy, papa made food, come eat," Lysander called.
Liam turned, smiling, but kept his arms clasped behind him as he strolled over.
"Olidie!" Seraphina teased.
Liam yanked her hair. "Meanie!"
"Ouch! Li-Li!" she complained.
Nora fed him tenderly while Zayan fed her, the family gathered close, laughter filling the room again.