Chapter Two Hundred And Four

Chapter Two Hundred And Four
Chapter Two hundred And Four

Tia carried a basket of clothes to the laundry room, humming quietly to herself.

The evening was peaceful, sunlight pouring in through the windows. Life had felt different lately lovely and peaceful.

She was halfway through sorting the clothes when she heard his voice behind her.
“You’re doing laundry without me?”

Tia turned around, startled but smiling. “You were still sleeping,” she said, pretending to focus on folding. “Didn’t want to disturb your beauty sleep.”

Adam chuckled and walked toward her, wearing grey sweatpants and a plain black shirt. His hair was slightly messy, and somehow that made him even more handsome.

“You should’ve waited for me,” he said, standing close enough for her to feel his warmth. “Laundry’s supposed to be a team thing now.”

Tia rolled her eyes. “Since when?”

“Since I realized you look cute doing it.”

She laughed softly, shaking her head. “You’re unbelievable, Adam.”

He reached for one of the shirts in the basket her shirt and started folding it terribly wrong on purpose.
“Wow,” she said, watching his poor attempt. “You’re going to ruin my shirts.”

“That’s okay,” he said, smiling at her. “Gives me an excuse to buy you new ones.”

She tried to snatch the shirt from his hands, but he pulled it back quickly, stepping away just in time. “You can’t even fold,” she said, trying to keep a straight face.

“I can,” he replied, still grinning. “I just don’t want to.”

She sighed and turned back to the basket. But before she could pick another shirt, Adam came up behind her, wrapped his arms gently around her waist, and rested his chin on her shoulder.

“You smell like detergent,” he whispered.

“Of course,” she said, laughing. “We’re literally in the laundry room.”

“Still,” he said softly. “It’s a nice smell. Smells like home.”

The words made her stop for a second. She turned slightly to face him. “Home?”

“Yeah,” he said, looking at her. “That’s what it feels like now. Being with you.”

Tia blinked, her chest warming at his tone. “You’re getting sentimental,” she teased lightly.

“I’m serious,” he said. “I forgot how good it feels—just doing simple things with you.”

She didn’t know what to say for a moment. So she smiled instead and leaned into him. “Then maybe you should help me finish this.”

Adam grinned. “Only if I get paid.”

“Paid?”

He nodded, pretending to think. “Maybe in kisses.”

Tia laughed again and pushed him lightly, though her face turned a little red. “You’re ridiculous.”

“But you love me,” he said, smirking.

She turned to face him properly now, meeting his eyes. “I do,” she said simply. “I really do.”

Adam’s playful look softened instantly. He reached out, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. “Say that again.”

She smiled. “I love you.”

He didn’t wait another second. He leaned down and kissed her slow, warm, and deep. The kind of kiss that carried every word they hadn’t said for years. She melted into it, her hands resting on his chest as he pulled her closer.

When they finally broke apart, she whispered, “The clothes are still waiting.”

“Let them,” he said quietly, kissing her again.

After a few minutes, she laughed against his lips. “Adam, you’re distracting me.”

“That’s the point.”

They went back to folding well, she did most of the work, while Adam kept making her laugh. He’d toss socks at her, purposely fold things wrong, and then act innocent every time she glared at him.

Adam smiled, his voice soft. “I missed so much.”

Tia reached for his hand. “You’re here now. That’s what matters.”

He squeezed her hand gently, eyes lingering on hers. “You always forgive too easily.”

“Not easily,” she said. “But I learned that holding on to pain doesn’t fix anything. Loving you again did.”

He stared at her for a long moment before saying quietly, “I don’t deserve you.”

“Maybe not,” she teased, smiling. “But you’re stuck with me anyway.”

They both laughed. The room filled with warmth not just from the sunlight but from something deeper, something peaceful.

When they finished the last bit of laundry, Adam grabbed the basket and carried it outside with her. They hung the clothes together in the backyard, side by side.

He slipped his arm around her shoulders as they stood there, watching the clothes sway in the soft breeze. “You know,” he said, “I used to think love was all about big things—money, gifts, grand gestures. But now…”

She looked up at him. “Now what?”

“Now I realize it’s this,” he said. “You, me, laundry on a Saturday morning. That’s all I need.”

Tia smiled, resting her head on his shoulder. “I could get used to this,” she said.

“You better,” he whispered, kissing her forehead.

The sound of laughter carried from inside the house Andy calling for them. Adam turned his head toward the door and smiled. “Looks like our little boss is awake from his evening nap..”

Tia chuckled. “Go get him.”

He started walking toward the door but turned back halfway. “Tia?”

“Yeah?”

“I love you more than anything,” he said softly.

She looked at him for a moment, smiling in that quiet way only he understood. “I know,” she said. “I love you to
o.”

He grinned and went inside, and Tia stood there for a while, watching the sunlight fall across the fresh clothes on the line.