Chapter 141 Quiet Mornings

Chapter 141 Quiet Mornings
The soft glow of the morning sun filters through the high blinds of the living room, casting warm strips of light across the rug. Outside, the city is just starting to wake up, the distant hum of traffic blending quietly with the gentle bubbling of the coffee pot in the kitchen.

I sit at the counter in my sweatpants, cradling a mug between my palms, letting the warm steam rise against my face. For the first time in what feels like months, there are no urgent emails, no scheduled meetings with the front office, and no impending trade rumors hanging over our heads. The silence in the apartment feels light and genuine.

Leo scurries down the hallway in his footie pajamas, his dark hair sticking up on one side from sleep. He rubs his eyes with the back of his hand before heading straight for the sofa, where he climbs onto the cushions and curls up with his stuffed hockey puck.

"Morning, sleepyhead," I say gently, setting my mug down and walking over to join him on the couch. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yeah," Leo mumbles, leaning his small head against my arm with a quiet yawn. "Is Klaus making pancakes today?"

"He might if you ask him nicely," I smile, pulling the soft blanket over his shoulders. "How do your legs feel after yesterday's skating practice?"

"They feel strong," Leo says, sitting up a little straighter to show off his arm muscles. "Coach said my turns are getting faster."

"He's right," Klaus's deep voice echoes from the hallway.

He steps into the living room wearing a faded blue t-shirt and grey lounge pants, his dark hair still damp from the shower. He walks over with two fresh glasses of orange juice, handing one to Leo and setting the other on the side table for me.

"If you keep speeding up like that, you'll be out-skating me by next season," Klaus chuckles, dropping down onto the cushion next to us and wrapping a heavy, warm arm around my shoulders.

Leo giggles, taking a sip of his juice. "Can we go to the park later? The big one with the tall slides?"

"If the sun stays out, absolutely," Klaus agrees, leaning over to kiss the top of my head before looking down into my eyes. "How are you feeling today, Liam?"

"Grounded," I answer truthfully, letting my head rest against his shoulder. "Just really peaceful."

"Good," Klaus whispers, his thumb tracing a slow circle against my upper arm. "You deserve a calm day."

After breakfast, while Klaus and Leo set up a board game on the living room floor, I head into the small nook near the window where I keep my desk. I open my laptop to review the updated media schedule sent over by James earlier in the morning.

My inbox is clean. The temporary tension with Julian from earlier in the week has been completely resolved by management, and James included a brief note at the top of the schedule confirming that our internal media team will handle all upcoming photo features without outside freelancers.

A quiet sense of relief settles deep in my chest. For so long, every time a new challenge appeared, I braced myself for the absolute worst. But standing up for my work and having Klaus and the team stand firmly behind me changed something inside. I don't feel like a temporary guest in this organization anymore. I belong here.

A soft knock at the open doorway pulls me from my thoughts. I turn around to see Klaus leaning against the frame, holding two fresh apples in his hands.

"Taking a break?" Klaus asks softly, stepping into the nook and handing me one of the apples.

"Just finishing up," I say, taking a crisp bite and setting it down beside my mousepad. "James sent the schedule for the road trip next month."

Klaus nods, leaning back against the edge of the desk, his dark eyes fixed on me with that familiar, steady warmth. "How does the schedule look?"

"It's great," I smile, looking up at him. "The home games are grouped nicely, which means I won't have to spend more than three days away at a time. The custom contract turned out to be the best choice I could have made."

"I knew it would," Klaus says quietly. He reaches down, taking my hand in his and pulling me up from the chair. He draws me in close, wrapping both arms around my waist while I rest my hands against his chest. "You built a life that works for you, Liam. Not for an agency, not for the board, but for us."

"We built it," I correct him gently, leaning up to press my lips against his jaw. "Together."

Klaus smiles, his gaze softening as he holds me tight against his side. "Together."

From the living room, the loud sound of rolling dice echoes down the hall, followed immediately by Leo's excited cheering. "I rolled a six! Klaus, come on, it's your turn!"

Klaus lets out a soft laugh, resting his forehead against mine for one brief, sweet second before letting go of my waist. "Duty calls."

"Go save your board game pieces," I laugh softly, watching him walk back down the hallway toward our boy.

I look out the window at the clear blue sky stretching over the city skyline. The long road of fear, doubt, and uncertainty is far behind us now. Sitting here in the quiet warmth of our home, listening to the two most important people in my world laugh together in the next room, I take a deep, steady breath, completely at peace with where we are and everything that lies ahead.