The evening sun cast a golden hue across the marble floors of Lucien's estate as the last of the broken debris was cleared away by the diligent servants. With the worst behind them and their wounds slowly healing, Seraphine felt a desperate need for something light—something that resembled normalcy. Sitting on the grand staircase, her legs tucked under her, she held her phone to her ear as it rang. The gentle breeze fluttered through her loose silk dress; her hideous punch marks were now hidden beneath soft layers of makeup. Little Daniel, a peaceful baby, was quietly sleeping in her arms, shifting ever so slightly, a bemusing sight to behold.
"Elora? It's me," she said as soon as the call connected, her voice brightening. "Do you want to go out for dinner tonight? Something fancy. I feel like we all need it."
"Oh my god, yes," Elora responded instantly, laughing softly. "I've been begging Magnus to take me out, but he keeps saying 'rest, rest, rest.' He'll have no excuse now."
"Perfect," Seraphine giggled. "Tell him we'll meet at McDonald's at 7. I need to see you in something sparkly. Bring Ethan too."
"Girly, you got it!"
As she ended the call, she stood up and walked toward the sitting room where Lucien lounged on the velvet couch, shirt partially unbuttoned, nursing a glass of wine. His bruises had turned a sickening yellow and purple but were healing steadily—though nothing healed slower than his ego. When Seraphine floated in with a spring in her step and a smirk on her lips, Lucien raised an eyebrow.
"What are you planning?" he asked, suspicious.
She sat beside him, grinning, as he grabbed baby Daniel from her arms and cradled him before delivering him a sweet kiss. "Dinner. With Elora and her husband, Ethan. Me, you, Asher. McDonald's. Seven."
Lucien blinked at her. "You… want to go to a fast-food restaurant?"
"It's not about the place. It's about being with people. Laughing. Talking. Pretending we're normal for once."
He frowned slightly, eyes scanning her face. "You should rest."
She rolled her eyes. "I've been resting for three days," she countered, lightly poking his chest. "I need to breathe again."
Lucien opened his mouth to argue—but then Asher appeared in the doorway, tossing a pair of keys in the air.
"How are you not dead if you are not able to breathe again?" he gave her a cheeky smile before continuing upon her sharp glance, with burning embers dancing in her eyes. "I meant she's going," Asher said, showing his car keys. "And so am I. So, unless you're planning to stop your brother-in-law and your wife from eating dinner like humans—"
Lucien sighed in defeat. "Fine. Fine. Cut out your long speech, director."
"I knew you'd see the light," Asher smirked, stepping further into the room. The warmth of camaraderie filled the air, and Seraphine felt a flutter of anticipation.
Lucien scrolled on his phone and got caught in a call, so he went outside, his beloved child in his well-defined arms, softly cradling him up and down. The door closed behind him, leaving Seraphine and Asher in a cozy bubble of laughter.
"You better hope Elora's husband doesn't kill you there!" said a giggling Seraphine, her eyes sparkling.
"Why does that old man tell you everything? Does he have nothing better to do?" Asher replied, feigning indignation.
"But he won't. Elora's wounds have long past healed. In way less time than mine," Seraphine shot back, and Asher delivered a playful slap on her arm, not hurting her in the least.
"Hmm… now it should take three more days," he broke out in a fit of laughter. Seraphine ran in a mad dash, shouting, "You!"
Just then, the door bolted open once more.
"Whoa, Ash, someday you're really going to get a bad wound from either one of us. Tie that freely rolling tongue of yours," Lucien added casually, sipping his wine. "Also, I have booked the entire McDonald's," he continued, his tone nonchalant. "No civilians. Full staff. Extra security. Happy now, you two?"
Seraphine blinked in shock as she halted. "You did what?"
He shrugged. "I'm not letting you eat fries next to some random teenager named Justin or Dustin."
She burst out laughing, her voice ringing through the spacious room. "You're insane."
"No," Lucien said, lips quirking, "I'm protective."
Asher leaned back against the wall, a grin spreading across his face. "Well, aren't we the lucky ones? A private McDonald's. I can already taste the fries."
"Just don't get too carried away with the milkshakes," Seraphine teased, her eyes sparkling. "You might spill them all over yourself."
"Now that's a sight I'd pay to see," Asher quipped, crossing his arms and grinning.
A soft laugh escaped Seraphine, and for a moment, the heavy weight of their recent struggles seemed to lift. "Okay, but we have to promise to take a picture together. No matter how ridiculous we look."
Lucien raised an eyebrow. "You mean, no matter how ridiculous you look?"
"Hey!" Seraphine shot back, playfully swatting at him. "This dress is fabulous!"
Asher snorted. "Fabulous or not, you know we'll look like a circus of misfits."
"Exactly!" Seraphine agreed, a twinkle of mischief in her eyes. "And I wouldn't have it any other way."
Lucien sighed, shaking his head but unable to suppress a smile. "You two are impossible."
"Just wait until Elora shows up in her sparkles," Seraphine said, excitement bubbling within her. "This is going to be a night to remember."
"Let's just hope we don't end up on the news," Asher joked, causing Seraphine to snicker.
Lucien leaned back, a soft smile lingering on his lips as he watched them. Perhaps, just perhaps, tonight would be exactly what they needed—a breath of fresh air, a chance to laugh, and a moment to feel whole again.