Chapter 311

Chapter 311
The house was exploding with noise.
Not just loud—earthquake loud.
Balloons everywhere. Streamers stuck to the ceiling. Kids running through the halls like they owned the place. Music blasting. The twins screaming with excitement every two minutes.
It was exactly the kind of day Reid and Luna loved.
And Damian absolutely regretted ever agreeing to “a small party.”
There was nothing small about this.
“Dad! Dad! Dad! LOOK!” Reid shouted, sprinting past Damian wearing a cape and holding a slice of cake like a weapon.
Luna chased him, yelling, “STOP RUNNING WITH FOOD!”
Damian ran a hand over his face.
“Serene,” he muttered, “why did we allow this?”
Serene kissed his cheek and smirked.
“Because they’re six, Damian. And because they’re your kids.”
“Unfortunately,” he sighed, watching Reid climb a chair like it was a mountain.
But Serene could see the smile he tried to hide. He loved this chaos.
He loved seeing his children wild and happy.
And right in the middle of it all…
Sia.
She sat on the carpet beside Luna, helping her open gifts, carefully arranging each item and telling Luna which ones needed batteries.
Serene watched her with a warm heart.
Sia laughed—really laughed—without fear. Without looking over her shoulder. Without shrinking away from sound or touch.
She wore a new pink dress Serene had bought, her hair tied in little curls, and she looked… safe.
Whole.
Healing.
When Damian walked past, Sia stood automatically.
“Dad! Come see what Luna got!” she said proudly.
Damian froze for a half-second—still not used to that word—but then his face melted into the softest smile.
“I’m coming, sweetheart,” he said.
Serene watched the exchange with a full heart.
It still felt unreal… how natural Sia had become with them.
Calling Damian “Dad,” calling Serene “Mom,” and even pulling Mira’s sleeve while saying “Aunty Mira!”
Speaking of Mira—
“Serene…” Mira whispered, tugging her quietly toward the kitchen, away from the noise.
Serene raised a brow.
“What’s wrong? You look pale.”
Mira shut the kitchen door and leaned against the counter, eyes wide, breathing strangely.
“It’s about me,” Mira said, voice trembling.
Serene straightened.
“What happened? Tell me.”
Mira looked down, fingers twisting nervously.
“I… I think I’m pregnant.”
Serene blinked.
Her brain didn’t register for a second.
“You think?”
“I took two tests,” Mira whispered. “Both positive.”
Serene covered her mouth.
“Oh my God. Mira…”
But Mira’s face didn’t light up.
It scrunched with fear, eyes filling with tears she tried to blink away.
“I don’t know if I’m ready,” she whispered. “Alec and I… we’re still trying to figure things out. And I don’t know what he’ll say. What if he leaves? What if he panics? What if I can’t do this? Serene… I’m scared.”
Serene stepped forward and held her arms.
“Mira,” she said softly, “look at me.”
Mira lifted her teary eyes.
“This is your child,” Serene whispered, smiling gently. “Your baby. A part of you. And Alec loves you—he may act shocked, but he won’t walk away.”
“You don’t know that,” Mira said shakily.
“Yes, I do,” Serene insisted. “Because Alec is crazy about you. And because he deserves to know he’s going to be a father.”
Mira exhaled shakily, wiping her cheeks.
“I thought about getting rid of it…” she confessed softly.
The words hit Serene’s chest.
“Oh Mira…”
“I was scared,” Mira whispered. “But when I saw Sia today… happy, loved… I just…” Her voice cracked. “I thought, maybe… maybe I can do this. Maybe I deserve this.”
Serene hugged her tightly.
“You do. And you’re not alone.”
Mira trembled against her.
“Tell him, Mira,” Serene whispered. “Tell Alec. He has the right to know. And you… deserve the right to be happy.”
Mira nodded slowly.
Still scared, but calmer.
“Okay,” she breathed. “I’ll tell him.”
Serene smiled warmly.
“Good.”
Suddenly—
BANG!
“DAD I DIDN’T MEAN TO BREAK IT!” Reid yelled from the living room.
“WHAT DID YOU BREAK?!” Damian yelled back.
Serene groaned.
“Come on, we should go save the house.”
Mira laughed for the first time that day.
They stepped back into the chaos—
Where Sia was jumping with Luna…
Damian was trying to stop Reid from climbing the TV stand…
And the living room looked like a candy factory exploded.
Mira wiped her eyes discreetly.
Serene squeezed her hand.
“Happy birthday to Reid and Luna,” Serene sighed.
Mira snorted.
“And goodbye to your furniture.”