After breakfast, the plates were forgotten on the side table, but the warmth lingered—on their skin, in the way they touched, in the silence that felt sacred.
Wrapped in a blanket, Liora lay between them on the couch by the window. Sunlight filtered through sheer curtains, dancing across her skin as Keal gently brushed his fingers through her hair. Rivan had her legs resting on his lap, tracing circles on her ankle absentmindedly.
"I missed this," she murmured, her voice barely louder than a breath. "Just being with you two. Safe. Whole."
Keal leaned down, pressing a kiss to her temple. "You are everything. No more misunderstandings, okay? We promise to talk, to listen… to not get lost in plans and forget what matters."
She nodded, tears stinging the back of her eyes—but this time, they were soft, healing tears.
Rivan reached forward, capturing her hand. "We'll start again. The baby. The family. But this time, we do it slowly. Together. Every part of it."
"Even the cravings and mood swings?" she teased through a sniffle.
"Especially those," Keal chuckled, resting his forehead against hers.
They sat like that for a while, tangled in each other's warmth, watching the sunlight change across the room. Then, Rivan suggested a warm bath. "We'll pamper you. Long bath. Oils. Candles. And then…"
He smirked, glancing at Keal, "Then we'll keep that promise you made us make. All day. No holding back."
Liora flushed, but the smile on her lips was wide and genuine. "Only if you let me spoil you too."
Keal lifted her in his arms easily. "Always, my love. Always."
---
The bathroom was glowing.
Soft candlelight flickered across the walls, casting warm shadows. The large tub in the corner was filled with warm, scented water—rose petals floating on the surface, steam curling in the air. Liora stepped in first, the warmth enveloping her like a soft embrace.
Keal followed, sliding behind her, pulling her back to rest against his chest. Rivan stepped in last, settling in front of her, his knees brushing hers beneath the water.
Their bodies were quiet, but their eyes spoke in volumes—of love, apology, longing.
Rivan ran his hands along her thighs under the water, his thumbs brushing her hips as he leaned in, kissing her slowly. Keal pressed a kiss to her shoulder, his nose nuzzling her neck.
"You feel like home," she whispered.
Keal wrapped his arms around her stomach. "You are our home."
They stayed like that, soaking in the silence, their hands moving gently, their lips brushing against bare skin. There was no rush, no urgency—just deep, devoted love blooming between every breath.
Liora giggled softly when Rivan reached out and flicked a little water at her. "Hey!"
"We're just getting started," he teased, then leaned in to kiss the droplets off her collarbone.
After the bath, wrapped in thick robes, the three of them moved to the bedroom. The sheets were fresh, the room bathed in warm light. Keal laid her down slowly, reverently, as if she were made of something precious.
"You said you wanted us," he murmured, lips brushing her ear.
"All day," Rivan added, lowering beside her.
"I want us," she whispered. "No fear, no barriers. Let's begin our forever here."
Keal kissed her deeply. Rivan trailed kisses along her stomach.
And in the softness of that morning, under the hush of whispered love and trembling touches, they began again—not just with their bodies, but with their hearts.
--
The sun had dipped below the horizon, leaving the sky painted in soft purples and golds. The large balcony overlooked the city, lights twinkling below like scattered dreams. A soft breeze whispered against the curtains, and the scent of jasmine lingered in the air.
Liora sat between them on a large cushioned lounge, wrapped in a blanket. Her head rested on Keal's shoulder, while Rivan's fingers absentmindedly played with hers.
They were quiet for a while, not because there was nothing to say—but because some silences are sacred.
Rivan was the first to speak. "What do you want to name our baby?"
Liora looked up, a soft blush on her cheeks. "You really think it'll happen this time?"
Keal kissed her temple. "We believe it. You believe it too, don't you?"
"I do," she whispered. "More than anything."
She looked up at the stars. "If it's a girl… maybe 'Aurelia'. It means 'the golden one.' Like the way you both look at me. Like I'm gold."
Rivan smiled, his eyes full of warmth. "And if it's a boy?"
Keal chuckled. "Rivan will say 'Keal Junior.'"
"Absolutely not," Liora laughed, swatting at his arm gently.
"I was thinking… maybe something soft. 'Elian.' It means peace," Rivan offered quietly.
Liora nodded, eyes glistening. "I love it."
Keal pulled the blanket closer around all three of them. "We'll build a world for them. Full of love. No fear, no doubt, no pain like before."
Liora turned her body and curled up tighter between them, feeling both heartbeats surrounding her like shields.
"And when they ask one day," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, "how it all began…"
Rivan kissed her forehead gently. "We'll say it started under the stars."
Keal added with a smile, "...with love that was meant to be."
And together, they watched the sky—three hearts dreaming as one, waiting for the tiny heartbeat that would join them soon.
--
Liora walked into the office, her heels clicking softly against the polished marble floor. Her cream blouse was tucked neatly into a black pencil skirt, but the faint flush on her cheeks gave away how her morning had started—with warm hands and kisses that made her late… again.
She adjusted her lanyard and entered the meeting room with a composed face, only to spot Rivan already inside, sitting at the far end of the long table, flipping through reports. His tie was slightly loosened, sleeves rolled up, and when he glanced up—his eyes lingered a little too long.
Liora felt it. The heat. The memory of his breath on her neck hours ago.
Keal slipped in quietly behind her, brushing her hand ever so slightly as he passed. No one else noticed, but Liora did. Her body remembered every detail—how he held her tighter this morning when she begged them not to stop. His scent still clung to her skin beneath her perfume.
They sat through half the meeting exchanging silent looks and secret smirks. Every time she raised a hand to her neck, Rivan's eyes darkened. Every time she licked her lips nervously, Keal tapped his pen twice against his notepad.
Finally, when the meeting ended and others filed out, Keal remained behind on purpose. Rivan stood up and walked past Liora—but paused behind her chair. His voice was low, just for her.
"You've got a little something right here…" He touched the edge of her jaw, a ghost of a smile on his lips. "Lip gloss, or is that from this morning?"
Liora's breath hitched.
Keal smirked as he shut the door behind the last person. "Break room. Five minutes."
"But I have emails," she whispered, flustered.
Rivan leaned down, brushing her ear with his lips. "Let's just say we're reviewing… physical intimacy policies."
---