Chapter 77

Selene’s POV.

As the morning sun peeked through the curtains, I stirred in bed, feeling a sense of anticipation bubbling within me. It was the start of our much-awaited family vacation, a chance for us to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and create cherished memories together, especially with Jennifer and Jonathan who planned most of this trip. This trip was a lot different from our usual ones.

Nathaniel lay beside me, his arm draped over my waist, his steady breathing a soothing rhythm against my skin. I smiled, watching him sleep, his features softened by the golden light filtering through the window. Heavens this man was so damn handsome, even after all these years he was every bit perfect still.

With a gentle nudge, I roused him from his slumber, whispering excitedly about the day ahead. His eyes fluttered open, a grin spreading across his face as he realized what day it was. He had been working so damn hard lately, I knew he needed the break as much as I did too. Lately, I’ve been hiring more people and my job at the office has lessened just so I could be there for my family.

"Good morning, my love," he murmured, pulling me into his arms for a lingering kiss.

We slipped out of bed and made our way down the hall to check on the boys. Roman's room was empty, the bed neatly made, a sign that our eldest had already risen and started his day.

I found him in the kitchen, his headphones on, his fingers flying over his phone as he scrolled through messages from his friends. He looked up as we entered, a hint of mischief in his eyes.

"Morning, Mom, and Dad," he greeted us, pulling out one of the stools at the breakfast bar. "Ready for our fun road trip?"

"You bet, Roman. It's going to be a blast," I chuckled, ruffling his hair affectionately.

Theo and Nicholas were already up, their excitement clear as they bounced around the kitchen, their voices blending into a mixture of laughter and chatter. Yep, they were up without Nathaniel or I forcing them to so it was quite clear how excited they were. Nathaniel and I exchanged a knowing glance, our hearts swelling with love for our boys.

I checked the time and then walked to our daughter’s room. She slept in a little longer than the bunch. I opened the door and spotted her in her toddler bed. She was tucked with all the stuffed animals she loved. She made Nathaniel tuck each and every one of those bears in then demanded kisses for everyone.

Vitoria had all of us wrapped around her tiny little finger, her brother still competed to be her favorite and it warmed my heart completely.

After a quick breakfast of pancakes and fresh fruit, we piled into the car, our bags packed and excitement building with each passing mile. Nathaniel claimed the driver's seat of course.

As we drove, the landscape transformed from familiar city streets to rolling hills and open fields. The boys chattered excitedly in the backseat, their faces pressed against the windows as they marveled at the passing scenery.

Our destination was a secluded cabin nestled in the heart of the mountains, a serene retreat where we could disconnect from the world and reconnect as a family. Jennifer had found it online, a hidden gem tucked away from the busy tourist hotspots.

As we arrived, the boys burst out of the car, their laughter echoing through the crisp mountain air. Nathaniel and I followed close behind, our hearts light with anticipation.

The cabin was everything we had hoped for and more—cozy and inviting, with breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. We spent the afternoon exploring the nearby trails, our footsteps crunching on the forest floor as we ventured deeper into the wilderness.

When lunchtime was around the corner, Jennifer and Jonathan were both behind the grill, serving up one of the finest lunch bbq ever. I truly don’t know what I would’ve done without these two. The kids all loved them so much it amazed me what amazing grandparents they were. It surprised Nathaniel too, he told me in private the other day how impressed he was with them. He stated that whilst they were good parents, they were never this fun and exciting as they were with their grandbabies. It didn’t matter though, as long as they were perfect with our kids which they were, and even with Kai and Anya’s kids. They were accepted as if they were their own.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, we gathered around the fire pit, roasting marshmallows and sharing stories beneath the starry sky. Roman, Chase, and West all told wild, wild stories of their adventures with their friends while Theo and Nicholas listened wide-eyed, their imaginations running wild. I rolled my eyes playfully at the older boys, well aware of what they were doing.

As the fire crackled and the night air grew cooler, Nathaniel wrapped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me close. I leaned into him, feeling the warmth of his embrace chase away the chill.

As the evening wore on, the laughter of our children filled the air, echoing through the trees and mingling with the crackling of the fire. West and Chase, Kai and Anya's spirited twin boys raced around the clearing, their boundless energy lighting up the night sky. They were a whirlwind of motion, their laughter infectious as they chased each other through the forest with a bug in their hand to disgust the other.

Ava, their younger sister, sat beside me, her eyes wide with wonder as she watched the flames dance in the fire pit. She was the spitting image of her father, from the eyes to the hair and mischievous grin. I couldn't help but smile as I looked at her, marveling at the way she had inherited Kai's charm and charisma. I was happy with my niece, especially since she and Vitoria shared such a cute bond already.

Ah yes, Vitoria, our own little miracle, nestled in Nathaniel's arms, her blue eyes wide with curiosity as she took in her surroundings. She was almost two now, a bundle of energy and joy, with her father's piercing blue eyes and golden locks. She was the spitting image of Nathaniel honestly.

I never admitted it out loud but I had always wanted a daughter. I loved my boys with all my heart but I did always hope to raise a daughter as well and now she was here. Our fourth and final baby. She sure was a difficult one to give birth to but she was worth all of it for sure.

Nathaniel and I were now officially done having kids, I can’t believe this man had managed to get me pregnant so many times. Honestly, I blamed that charming smile of his. It always gets me into trouble and how could I resist such handsome trouble right?

As I watched our children play, their laughter blending with the sounds of the forest, I felt a sense of overwhelming gratitude wash over me. Here, surrounded by the ones I loved most in the world, I knew that I was exactly where I was meant to be. I couldn’t believe it, my kids had a loving family, and I had a loving family despite coming from such a broken home I was able to give my kids the opposite. I was able to be happy.

Nathaniel must’ve caught me getting lost in thoughts because he moved over and kissed my cheek, reminding me of how much he loved me.

As the night wore on, we huddled together beneath a blanket of stars, sharing stories and laughter as the fire crackled and the night air grew cooler. And as we settled in for the night, the warmth of the fire and the love of our family surrounded us. We’ve been on many lavish family trips but this simple forest retreat easily took the cake.