The Risk Worth Taking

Soren’s POV

My eyes settle on the sweetest sight: Aurelia fast asleep in her crib, and somehow, Raisins has managed to squeeze in beside her. The little guy fits perfectly, curled up like he was meant to be there. It’s impossibly cute. I pull out my phone and snap a picture, already knowing I’ll come back to this moment again and again.

I tiptoe out, letting my two angels rest. I can’t wipe the smile off my face—seeing them like that does something to me. Still, deep down, there’s this quiet fear that won’t quite go away: What if I’m not enough? What if I can’t be the father she deserves?

But this happiness… this warmth in my chest… it’s like nothing I’ve ever known. I sit on the couch, breathe in deep, and close my

eyes. The peace is so overwhelming I could cry. And to think—I once believed I’d never know this kind of love. I thought I was broken. Unlovable. That someone like Raisel was a dream I’d never be allowed to have.

“Soren?”

I open my eyes to find Raisel walking toward me, sleepy and yawning. She climbs into my lap without a word, curling into me like she’s done it a thousand times. Her head rests on my shoulder, and the weight of her there just settles me.

“You’re not sleeping,” she murmurs. “Is something bothering you?”

“Not bothering,” I whisper. “Just… this happiness—it feels surreal.”

She lifts her head, blinking up at me. Those big, expressive eyes see right through me.

“I wanted a life with you. I wanted something normal… real. I wanted—” I pause, unsure.

“You wanted love. A family,” she finishes, her voice so gentle it almost breaks me.

“Yeah. I didn’t think I wanted kids, not really. But now, having this family—it’s not scary. It’s… beautiful.”

She smiles softly. “Not all families are chaos, you know. Some are messy, sure, but they love each other through it all. I never had one growing up, but in college, I used to hear my friends talk about theirs. I always wondered what it would be like to have something like that.”

I stroke her cheek gently. She leans into my touch, and I swear she glows in that moment. This woman—this woman I never thought

I’d find—wanted the same things I didn’t believe I could give.

“Soren…”

Something in her voice shifts—hesitant, almost fragile.

“Yes, love?”

“Are we… planning to stay here?” she asks.

“You mean this house?”

She shakes her head. “No. I mean New York. I’ve been thinking… maybe we could move. Somewhere like California. This city… it’s more nightmares than memories for me. I don’t want Aurelia growing up with all of that around.”

Her words hit me harder than I expect. She’s not wrong.

“Alright,” I say after a moment. “Give me six months. I’ll start expanding the company out west, set up a base in California. We’ll go.”

She hugs me tight, and her voice is a soft, grateful whisper. “Thank you, babe.”

“You never have to thank me. Your peace, and our daughter’s future—those are my priorities.” I kiss her head, the smell of her hair grounding me. Her presence is like a lullaby, slowly pulling me into rest.

“You should sleep,” I murmur. “You’ve got shopping with Hazel tomorrow.”

She groans playfully. “Yeah. Wish I could throw a wrench in that arranged marriage and cause some chaos.”

I chuckle. “Who is the guy, anyway? He’s supposed to be a big deal, right?”

“Yeah… some big shot,” I said. Raisel's eyes, squinting at me. “Wait—you know who it is, don’t you?”

I hesitate.

“You know Enzo?” she asks, eyes narrowing.

“He’s… a childhood friend,” I admit.

“What the hell, Soren?” she snaps. “You could’ve stopped your friend from ruining Hazel’s life!”

I sigh. I probably shouldn’t have said anything, but I promised her honesty.

“What aren’t you telling me?” she demands, her tone sharp.

“Promise you won’t tell Hazel,” I say quietly.

She frowns. “Wait... is he going to hurt her?”

“No. Raisel, I’d never let that happen. Whoever I’m friends with—they’re not like that. They’re... intense, sure. Maybe a little obsessive.” I regret the words the second I say them.

Her eyes widen. “Wait. Are you saying Enzo likes Hazel?”

I nod. “Yeah. Since he saw her that day she came over with you for that college project. Love at first sight, or something like that.”

Her expression softens into something like wonder. “That’s… kind of romantic.”

“Only if Hazel’s into him too,” I remind her. “They’ve never even really talked.”

“Still,” she sighs dreamily. “Feels like the start of another love story.”

I grin. “Maybe. But for now… you need sleep, Raisins.”

She blushes at the nickname, and damn—it does something to me every time. I scoop her up gently and carry her to bed, laying down beside her. She’s out in seconds, exhausted.

But sleep doesn’t come easy for me. Not with Aurelia’s cries waking me, and Raisel so tired she doesn’t even stir. I soothe our daughter back to sleep, rocking her gently.

And as I stand there, holding my baby girl in the dark, I wonder: Should I put a ring on Raisel’s finger?

Is it too soon?

I sigh. I know who to call.

“God damn it, Soren. What now?” Hazel’s voice is half-asleep, half-irritated.

“I need advice,” I say.

“Please tell me this isn’t another mess you’ve made,” she groans.

“Calm down, cranky woman,” I tease, knowing it’ll piss her off even more.

She growls. “Spit it out.”

“I want to propose to Raisel,” I confess. “I just… don’t want to freak her out. I can’t exactly ask Jace for help with this.”

There’s silence for a beat.

“She’ll love it,” Hazel says finally. “She might not say it, but she sees you as something special. I caught the look in her eyes when she saw you with Aurelia. She wants to be married to you.”

“You sure?” I ask. “If she gets upset, it’s on you.”

“Relax,” Hazel snaps. “I know her. Better than you think.”

I end the call, but her words echo in my head. When I’d asked Raisel to be my girlfriend, she’d hesitated. She wasn’t ready then. But now…

I don’t want a long engagement. I want to marry her on the day I propose.

I dial Jace. I’ve got plans to make—officiant, wedding dress, everything.

Or maybe this is a terrible idea.

I glance at Aurelia in my arms. “What do you think we should do, huh?”

She giggles, and somehow, I take that as my sign.

Maybe this is the risk worth taking.