Listen to I Like Me Better by Lauv

FIVE YEARS LATER

Beads of sweat dotted my forehead, each drop a silent testament to the intensity of the pain coursing through me. It felt as if the world was contracting around me, squeezing every last bit of strength from my body. My fingers dug into the sides of the bed, my knuckles white from the effort of holding on. I focused on my breathing, trying to steady the erratic rhythm of my chest, but the ache, the pressure, wouldn't let me.

"You're doing great, it'll soon be over."
Tristan whispered from beside me brushing the wet hair that glued to my forehead.

"You're the strongest person I know, you can do it."
He held my hand and gave it a light squeeze.

I clenched my jaw, biting down on my lower lip as another wave of pain hit. My body was on fire. I gave another push, each muscle screaming, but I could feel the end was near—at least, I hoped it was.

Tristan's smile was there again, a soft curve on his face, a light in the middle of the storm. He brushed my hair back from my face with such tenderness that it almost felt like a distant memory, a moment of calm before the next wave hit.

I groaned, pushing with everything I had left, every ounce of energy pooling into this one, desperate effort.

"Keep going, you're doing good," he encouraged, his voice unwavering. But inside, I felt a flicker of something else—frustration. I was tired, so tired. It felt like the doctor was taking forever. Hurry up, I wanted to scream. But I swallowed it down.

It wasn't my first labor. I knew the pain would come in waves, I knew it would pass, but that didn't make it any easier. Each contraction was a battle, one I felt like I was losing. The pain settled into my bones, my body fighting against what it knew it needed to do.

"Labour looks good on you."
Tristan whispered, I shot him a glare and he smiled.

He met my eyes with that same damn smile, as if the world wasn't falling apart around us. I couldn't help it; I rolled my eyes, but deep down, I was grateful for it. For him. He was here. Right here, beside me. And for all the pain, all the exhaustion, that was what kept me going.

He was a good distraction but he was starting to piss me off since the distraction wasn't taking the pain away.

"I love you," he murmured, his voice a soft, tender promise, the words meant just for me, in a world that had narrowed to this one, singular moment.

I swallowed hard, the dryness in my throat thick and unrelenting, but I pushed through it. I pushed harder than I ever thought I could, the pain crashing over me like waves, my body shaking with the effort. But I held on to him, to his words, to the unwavering presence of the man beside me. He was my anchor, and I was determined to finish this—to bring our child into the world.

"You did it," Tristan said, his voice thick with pride. His smile—proud, relieved, and full of love—was the light I needed, pushing me to give that final, fierce push. I nodded, exhausted but triumphant, my gaze drifting to the tiny new life we had brought into the world.

Then, as if the world were aligning itself in the most perfect way, the sweet, fragile cry of our baby filled the room, filling the space between us with a sound that was both new and ancient. I let myself fall into the comfort of that cry, the sound of new life.

The nurse placed the baby in my arms, and I was overwhelmed by the sheer wonder of him—so small, so fragile, yet so perfect. I pulled him close, his warmth soothing against my chest, his tiny body nestled into me like he belonged there all along. I kissed the top of his head, the soft curls of his hair tickling my lips.

"Welcome, sweetie," I whispered, my voice cracking with emotion as the rush of motherhood finally hit me in full force. I felt a surge of love, of protective instinct, of connection that made everything—the pain, the fear, the struggle—feel worth it.

The pain meds began to take effect, the fog of drowsiness creeping in, but I fought to stay awake, to savor this first moment of skin-to-skin contact, to breathe him in and memorize every perfect detail of him.

But as the weight of my exhaustion settled into my bones, my eyelids began to flutter, heavy and slow. Tristan gently took the baby from my arms, and I let out a soft sigh, my eyes barely open as I watched him hold our son with the same reverence that I felt.

And just as my eyes closed, my body finally surrendering to the pull of sleep, I felt peace wash over me.

☆
The voices around me woke me up. I blinked at the white Ceiling before looking around me.

"She's awake!"
Vina exclaimed.

"Chloe."
My mom called sounding relieved.

I watched as they walked in, the faces of the people who loved me filling the room, bringing warmth with them like sunlight after a storm.

Vina stepped aside, and suddenly, the twins appeared, each of them running toward me with wild excitement. Kayla and Kayden's little voices broke the stillness.

"Mommy!" They shouted, their feet thudding against the floor as they scrambled to reach the bed.

I laughed softly, though the movement made my body ache.

"Careful, she's not so strong," Tristan's mom cautioned them, her voice gentle but firm, the protective tone a reminder of how much everyone cared.

I smiled at Vina's daughter, Jenna. She took Vina's face but Adrian's eyes. Adrian was on a business trip so, he couldn't join the party.

"Hey, Jenna."
I whispered, she just turned four and I missed the party cause I was stuck in the hospital.

I held out my arms, my heart swelling as Tristan gently placed Jaxon in my arms. I smiled at him, the weight of him in my arms filling me with a sense of completeness that words couldn't capture.

"Welcome," I whispered, pressing a soft kiss to his tiny head, feeling his warmth seep into my skin, anchoring me to this moment.

As my parents, Nana, and Tristan's mom quietly filed out of the room, leaving us to ourselves, I could feel the space between us fill with love. Vina stayed behind with Jenna, the twins, and me. Tristan didn't leave my side for a second, sitting close, his hand finding mine, his presence grounding me like nothing else.

The laughter of the twins filled the room, their giggles echoing off the walls as they chased each other around in circles, their little feet pitter-pattering across the floor. Jenna joined in, her bright laughter mixing with theirs as they tumbled over each other in a playful frenzy.

"Don't they look cute together? I smell love in the air."
Vina said with a goofy grin. She's been shipping them since day one, she took pictures of every moment they spent together.

"They are just friends," We both said in unison.

"Don't underestimate my psychic abilities."

Tristan and I laughed while she frowned.

"Oh my God, he is holding her hand."
Vina whispered with her jaw slightly down. She reached for her phone quietly and took a picture.

She smiled at the picture and put her phone back in her cute handbag.

"Oh God," Tristan and I mumbled while she smiled more.

A year later

It was the last day of school for the twins, and the excitement in the air was almost palpable. I was twenty minutes late, but they didn't seem to mind. The reason? Jaxon. He had somehow managed to spill an entire bottle of milk all over the backseat, his car seat booster, and even the floor mats—completely unaware of how he'd opened it. I could only chuckle as I tried to clean up the mess while he sat in his car seat, blissfully oblivious, his chubby little fingers playing with the sticky bottle cap.

When I finally made it to the school, I saw Kayden waving to his friends one last time before he jogged over to the car. Kayla, as usual, moved a little slower, her steps hesitant. She still struggled with making friends, her social anxiety a constant shadow she carried with her. I felt a twinge of heartache watching her, knowing how difficult it was for her, but she was brave.

"Hi, Mommy," Kayla greeted me softly, leaning in to give me a gentle kiss on my cheek. Kayden followed, offering his kiss with the same sweet gesture. His excitement was contagious as he hopped into the car, eager to tell me about his day.

"Hey, sweetheart," I replied, my smile warm and genuine.

"Sorry, your brother spilled his milk on the backseat," I said, trying to explain before they noticed.

Kayla's face twisted into a small frown as she looked at Jaxon, but before I could even apologize further, Jaxon's giggle filled the car, his big brown eyes twinkling up at her. He was completely unfazed, laughing as though the spill was some kind of game.

"Jax," Kayla frowned at him but he only giggled in return. She smiled and tickled him, he wriggled in his booster giggling more.

"Is Jenna still in school?" I asked.

"No, her Driver already came to pick her."
Kayden replied. I gave him a smug look through the mirror.

"Mom, stop."
He groaned.

I chuckled and pulled out of the driveway.

"So, how was school?"

Kayla stopped tickling Jax and started talking about everything that happened.

☆
When we finally pulled into the driveway, the twins were already bouncing with excitement. Kayla gently lifted Jaxon from his booster seat, her small hands careful but confident as she held him. He giggled, reaching out to touch her face, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Hi, Morris," They greeted as they entered the house.

"Freshen up and come down for snacks!" I called after them, my voice a little louder than necessary, but I couldn't help it—the house felt like it was alive with the sound of their laughter, and it made my heart swell.

"Hey, Morris," I said as I entered the house, finding the familiar warmth of our home wrapping around me.

"Welcome, Mrs. Sanchester."
I smiled at him, he would be retiring next year. It took a lot of convincing to get him to make up his mind about retiring.

I knew how much he loved his job, but the time had finally come for him to step back and enjoy the quiet life he'd earned.

"How's the family?" I asked, smiling warmly at him.

"Growing, just like yours," he said with a wink. I chuckled and nodded, giving him a playful nudge before heading to the kitchen.

The smell of fresh bread dough filled the air as I walked in, the scent so rich it made my stomach growl. Our chef, Marco, was at the counter, his hands expertly kneading the dough, his movements fluid and effortless.

"It smells so good in here," I groaned, inhaling deeply as my stomach tightened with hunger.

Marco looked up and gave me a grin, wiping his hands on his apron. "You know the drill—just wait a little while longer, and I promise you won't be disappointed."

He was a miracle worker. The man could make anything taste divine, and I had long since accepted that I was no match for his culinary genius. Cooking had never been my strong suit, and my humbling realization had come years ago when I made my first attempt at a home-cooked meal. I had spent hours perfecting mashed potatoes, using a YouTube tutorial for guidance. When I presented them to the family, Morris took a bite, then politely refused to swallow. His strained smile and the way he muttered, "It's not that bad," said everything I needed to know. Kayden had then dramatically spit out the potatoes, and Kayla had made a face like she was tasting something far worse than food. Tristan had buried his face in his hands, trying (and failing) to hide his laughter.

Since then, I had gladly handed over the reins to Marco, who, with his experience, turned every meal into a masterpiece.

"Can't wait to taste it," I said, grabbing a plate of freshly baked cookies and a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. The simple pleasure of these moments was something I'd never take for granted. I carried it all to the living room, sinking into the plush cushions of the couch and sighing in contentment as the warmth from the snacks and the afternoon sun filled the space.

The kids, now settled on the floor in front of the TV, had already started their favorite show, their laughter blending with the soft hum of the house. I pulled out my phone and dialed Vina, needing to catch up after a few days of not talking.

We talked for half an hour, about everything and nothing at all. It felt so good to share the quiet moments with her, to hear about her day, and to know that, no matter how much life changed, we would always have each other.

"Say hi to my son-in-law."
She said before hanging up.

"Dinner time!" I called, my voice cutting through the low murmur of the kids' show in the living room.

Kayla and Kayden barely looked up from the TV, their faces illuminated by the bright colors flashing across the screen. But the word "dinner" was magic. Slowly, reluctantly, they tore themselves away from their animated world and trotted toward the dining room, their faces still alight with the excitement of the day.

Tristan came down from the stairs with Jax on his neck who kept giggling as Tristan moved his tiny hands like he was teaching him how to dance.

We all gathered around the dining table, the kids taking their usual seats, Kayden at one end and Kayla beside him. I set Jax into his high chair, his wide eyes taking in everything around him, and a giggle escaping as he clapped his hands in excitement.

Morris, with his usual kindness, served the kids first, his hand steady as he placed their plates before them. "Thank you, Morris," they both said in unison, their voices bright with gratitude.

I took my seat next to Tristan, my hand brushing his as we settled in. The quiet hum of the house, the laughter of the kids, and the soft clink of silverware against plates filled the space, a perfect harmony I never wanted to end.

"Let's share the grace," I suggested softly, and without hesitation, everyone joined hands. Tristan's large, warm hand enveloped mine, and I could feel the familiar sense of peace that always washed over me when we were together. We bowed our heads, the words of grace rolling out easily, a sacred moment before the food, before the rush of the day faded into the comfort of family.

As we began to eat, Tristan's voice broke the soft silence. "So, where would you guys like to go for vacation?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with playful curiosity.

"Florida!"
Kayla exclaimed.

"Space."
Kayden said.

"Hmmm, how about Hawaii? I already got the tickets."

"Yes! Maybe we'll see Moana. Hawaii is great."
Kayla said chirpily.

"So is Mars," Kayden said with a frown.

Tristan's gaze lingered on me for a moment, and I felt a flicker of excitement stir in my chest. It was subtle—just the way he looked at me, as if he was about to say something, but then he turned his attention back to the kids, his smile soft but knowing. We hadn't had time for ourselves lately—work, the twins, everything else—and the thought of a vacation, a real getaway, had been tucked away in my mind for too long. But Tristan knew. He always knew.

"Dad?" Kayla called.

"Yes, Princess?" he answered with his usual tenderness, turning to her.

"Why are you staring at mom like that?" she asked, her tone a mixture of innocent curiosity and a hint of concern.

Kayden, never one to miss a beat

"Like you wanna eat her."
Kayden added.

My face flushed instantly, and I shot Tristan a glare, warning him with my eyes.

"Maybe I do, she looks ravishing."

"Tristan," I muttered, my voice a blend of disbelief and amusement. The nerve of him! And in front of the kids!

"What does that mean?"
Kayla asked with curious eyes.

"Delicious?"
Kayden guessed.

Tristan smirked and looked at me.

"Okay, enough talking. Eat up," I declared, desperate to steer the conversation away from any further embarrassment. The twins' confused faces, however, were impossible to ignore. Kayla's large eyes were filled with curiosity, and Kayden was clearly piecing together what he'd just heard, but not quite making sense of it. I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing at their innocent expressions.

Turning my attention to Jax, I saw him with his spoon in hand, trying so earnestly to scoop his pudding. His little hand gripped the utensil in a way that was more clumsy than efficient, but it was the sweetest thing.

"Nice, you're doing good sweety."
I encouraged him but he threw the pudding at my face and giggled.

Everyone burst into laughter. The sound of it—full of joy, of love, of unfiltered, chaotic family bliss—echoed through the room. I wiped the pudding from my face, shaking my head, but a smile tugged at the corner of my lips. I couldn't help but join in the laughter, even though I hadn't seen that coming.

And suddenly, that vacation, the one we'd been dreaming about, couldn't come soon enough. I was ready.

I couldn't wait for that vacation!

A big thanks to all those that stayed with me till the end of this book.
Thanks for the support, votes, comments and follow. I really appreciate. You motivated me to keep going, THANKS!!!
I LOVE YOU ALL

AN:
I will be writing a book for Adrian and Belvina. Stick around for the book

And.....A BOOK ABOUT THEIR KIDS.