Warm sun rays filter inside the room and touch my face making me slightly smile, knowing what is about to happen next. Not a few moments have passed when a soft hand lightly shakes me.

Turning to my side, I watch Lina pressing her face to my side while her hand again pats my shoulder. I can bet on my life she mumbling complains about sunlight ruining her sleep and not closing the curtains at night, before sleeping.

Lina is not a morning person at all, she keeps on snoozing her alarm until she has no other option but to get up. Slipping my arm under her head, I pull her closer to me and kiss her sleepy pout while blocking the sun from her face.

"Good morning." I run my knuckles against her face which makes her lazily smile.

Feeling satisfied that the sun is not in her face anymore, she snuggles more into my chest and again drifts off to sleep. Kissing her head, I allow her to sleep while I draw lazy circles on her arm.

Reluctantly, she opens her eyes and is about to sit up when I gently push her back into the bed as I get up.

"Sleep for some more time." I run my finger through her hair and watch a grateful smile settle on her lips as she closes her eyes again while hugging my pillow.

After taking shower, I get ready for the day and return to wake up Lina, to find she is already up. Checking the batteries of my hearing aids, I wear them before going outside the room.

Standing in the doorway of the kitchen, I silently listen to her humming as she prepares breakfast. Although it has been five years, since we have been married, it still feels like a dream. Being able to hear again, her becoming part of my life, and us living in our home. It just feels like my every wish has manifested into a reality.

Walking inside the kitchen, I hug her from behind.

"Good morning." I press my lips to hers when she tilts her head towards me.

"Morning." She lightly pecks my lips again and then continues to make the omelet.

"Don't you have work today?" I ask while looking over her shoulder. She dishes out the omelet, on two plates then places toasts on the sides.

"I have an off today," she answers and turns in my arms to face me, "School is closed today due to some maintenance work or something like that. So I just have one class in the afternoon." She shrugs.

Lina completed her degree and certification in ASL, and now she teaches ASL in our local town school. Apart from teaching in school, she even volunteers to teach ASL to anyone who is interested in learning it, especially to those who lost their ability to speak or hear due to some mishap. Her kind and patient nature make it easier for people to adjust to this new form of communication. She is always understanding and trying to help others in every way she can so that she can make this unfortunate transition a little bit easier for them.

Although it does sometimes take a toll on her. Numerous times I have seen her crying at night, not because the patient has treated her harshly but because she could feel their pain and helplessness, behind their harsh behavior.

During such nights, she just wants me to hold her and be her strength as she let herself be vulnerable.

"I can go to the shop a little late if you want." I tuck her hair behind her ear, realizing she might need my help in the house.

"No, there is no need. I have some jewelry orders to complete, so probably I will just finish doing them." She shakes her, with a small smile.

Besides teaching, she manages her online jewelry business as well where she sells handmade jewelry. I am amazed by her multitasking skills and her energy level. Never once I have heard her complaining about work or being tired. The only complaint which I hear from her is about waking up, as she hates waking up in the morning other than that she hardly complains about anything.

"On my way to the shop, I will drop the ready orders to ship at the courier office." I offer, "If you need any supplies or anything, just message me I will bring them while returning home."

"No, thank you." She places a quick kiss on my hand, "I checked my inventory and I don't think I need anything as of now."

"Okay, however, if you need any help just let me know." I raise my eyebrows giving her a pointed look. She always tries to do everything by herself, which sometimes annoys me.

"I will, and you might have to help me with dinner tonight." She picks up the plates and hands it to me.

"Okay, done." I take the plates to the dining table, while she brings coffee.

During breakfast, we talk about our today's plan and random stuff. However, I sensed from her expression that she wants to tell me something, but somewhere she is hesitating.

"Lina, I am waiting." I raise my eyebrow expectantly at her, which makes her lightly laugh.

"I can never keep anything hidden from you, right?" She rests her chin on her hand and rolls her eyes playfully.

"Well, isn't that how it should be?" Tilting my head, I question her, "You and me, partners in crime, and each other secret keepers."

She lets out a small sigh, and clasps her hands in front of her, as I patiently wait for her to speak.

"Emmet called me." She bites her lower lip, something which she does when she feels nervous or anxious, "He is getting married."

"He wants me to be there with him on his special day." She shrugs, "I don't know what to do... I am so confused."

During these past years, the relationship between her and Emmet has improved, it is nowhere the way it was used to be, still, it is not as strained as before. It took her a while to overcome the hurt and pain, however, eventually, she forgave him when he tried to reach out to her.

"I am not going to force you, I will always support whatever you decide to do." I place my hand over hers, "However, whatever you decide just keep one thing in mind, your decision should not be something which you will regret later in the future. Don't let your anger cloud your judgment, just think with a calm mind." I lightly squeeze her hand reassuringly.

Turning her hand upside, she interlocks our fingers and keeps staring at our joined while she seems lost in her thoughts.

"I think I will go." She looks up and nods her head with a small smile, "I don't want him to feel alone, on the happiest and the most important day of his life. I will be there with him."

"That's like my Lina." I return her smile.

Soft footsteps get our attention, making us turn our heads in the direction of the sound.

Our sleepy son makes an appearance holding his stuffed dolphin under his arm. However, his eyes sparkle the moment he sees Lina.

"Mama!" A bright smile forms on his lips as he runs towards her like a mad man and jumps into her arms.

"Good morning, bubba." She combs his hair with fingers and kisses his head.

He rests his head on her shoulder while he glances at me with a smile.

"Hey, bud, did you sleep well?" I hold his hand then take him in my arms when he stretches his arms in my direction.

"Huh-uh." He nods his head feverously making me laugh.

Aiden was a complete surprise to us. Neither I nor Lina had planned anything about having children, as we thought we both were not ready to have a child at that time. Lina was busy with her studies, while I was busy with expanding my business.

Honestly, when four years back we found out that Lina was pregnant, we were really scared. We were not ready for such a big responsibility. However, after the initial shock, bliss and joy replaced the feeling of fear when the thought of having a piece of us in our arms settled in.

The first time when we saw Aiden, the realization hit us that this little life is the proof of our love. Suddenly, we were not just Lina and Jason, we became the parents of the baby which she was carrying in her womb, while I carried him in my heart.

"I saw a ship in my deam." He glances at me excitedly. "A big ship." He opens his arms.

"You saw a ship in your dream?" I repeat the sentence while correcting him.

Lina goes to make his breakfast after placing a sippy cup in front of him.

"Choco shake!" He squeals merrily and quickly picks up the cup.

"Yeah." He nods his head, after gulping down a few sips of chocolate shake, "We all were on the ship. We were feeding cookies to sharks and they were so happy that they became my frens."

"Wow! Really?" I chuckle feeling thoroughly amused by my three years old's dream. "Sharks became your friends, that's so cool buddy."

I share a look with Lina who has a fond expression on her face while she smiles at us.

"Yes!" He shifts in my lap slamming the sippy cup on the table and holds my face in his hands trying to get my full attention while he excitedly shares everything which he saw in his dream.

The rest of our morning is spent listening to Aiden's innocent yet amusing talks as he keeps on talking about random things that he finds interesting.

******************************************

Walking outside the shop, I look at the beach and watch Caleb surfing with his friends. However, as soon as he looks in my direction he gestures me to join him.

Nodding my head, I sign him to wait. Quickly changing into swimming shorts, I pick my surfboard and head outside to join Caleb.

Nearly every week I go surfing with my friends or Caleb, it is a form of an escape for me from stress. It helps me to unwind myself, and destress my mind from the usual day to day issues. I just love riding the waves, enjoying the feeling of liberation which it brings with itself.

Caleb and I simultaneously catch a big wave and surf along with it. However, when we walk outside the water I find Lina standing near the shore while a very fussy toddler is settled on her hip.

Caleb jogs towards Aiden while handing his surfboard to me, making me glare at him. I watch Aiden cries causing Lina to flinch, so I can assume he is crying in his high-pitched tone. I have removed hearing aid before going into the water, and currently, I am glad for that. My son has been blessed with a powerful pair of lungs and the way he is crying I can bet the whole town can hear him.

Caleb tries to cheer Aiden up because he hates seeing him sad while tickling his feet, which makes him giggle.

When we shared the news of our pregnancy with everyone, Caleb was extremely happy because he no longer would be the youngest of the house, and he would have someone to boss around.

But the moment he met Aiden for the first time, he became super protective of him that he nearly punched the doctor for making Aiden cry.

And since that day we have been waiting for the moment when Caleb will make Aiden do any of his work. In fact, he never says no to any demand of Aiden and tries to fulfill his wish to the best of his capability.

Carrying mine and Caleb's surfboard, I walk towards them.

Placing the surfboards on the sand, I plant a quick kiss on Lina's lip.

Caleb laughs when Aiden pushes me away, while possessively holding Lina.

"My mama." He narrows his eyes at him.

"My Lina." I, playfully, narrow my eyes back at him.

"Daddy is being mean." He pouts angrily.

I chuckle reading his words, while Lina sighs and hands me Aiden because she knows if this topic is not changed then Aiden will throw a big tantrum since neither I or he backs down.

"Want to go surfing?" I ask and watch his entire face brightens. Aiden loves water and is really comfortable with it. Caleb has been teaching him swimming while I have been taking him to surf since he was a baby.

"Yes, go surfing." He grins widely instantly he forgetting about his earlier annoyance. "Uncle Cay will also come." He stretches his hand in Caleb's direction.

Since Aiden started speaking, he has been calling Caleb Uncle Cay. He calls Uncle Cay with so much affection that we didn't have the heart to correct him.

As soon as Caleb brings Aiden's stuff from inside the shop. Lina changes Aiden's clothes while Caleb makes Aiden wear floaties. After Aiden is ready to go into the water, we take him surfing while Lina chooses to stay on the shore basking in the sun.

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