Chapter 64

**Larisa’s POV**

The soft morning sunlight streamed through the windows, spilling golden light across the kitchen floor. The comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee swirled around me as I stood at the counter, pouring myself a cup. The house was unusually quiet, the kind of stillness that came with being alone too often.

With Bruce in France for work and Maja constantly out with her friends, the mansion felt too large, too empty. The laughter, the chaos—it was all missing. And I missed it more than I cared to admit.

But today felt different. There was a familiar hum of energy in the air, something that hinted at a change.

And then I heard it—the unmistakable sound of the front door slamming open, followed by loud, booming laughter. My heart lifted instantly.

“Mom, we’re home!” Taylor’s voice echoed through the halls like a burst of sunlight, followed by the sound of heavy footsteps.

I barely had time to process it before Taylor barreled into the kitchen, his grin as wide as ever. “Morning, sunshine! Did you miss me?”

“Taylor!” I exclaimed, unable to hide my smile as I set my coffee down. “I wasn’t expecting you so early.”

“Well, you know, I thought I’d brighten your day with my charming presence,” he teased, grabbing an apple from the fruit bowl and biting into it dramatically.

Before I could respond, Matthew walked in behind him, his pace slower but no less magnetic. My breath caught as I took him in—my son, tall and strong, with a rare softness in his expression that made my heart ache.

“Matthew,” I said, my voice quieter, filled with a joy I couldn’t hide.

“Hi, Mom,” he said, leaning down to kiss my cheek. His touch was warm, grounding, and I held onto his arm for a moment longer than necessary.

“You’re both here,” I said, unable to keep the surprise from my voice. “It’s been so long since I’ve had you both in the house at the same time.”

“Lucky you,” Taylor quipped, dropping into a chair at the kitchen table. “It’s like Christmas morning, except instead of presents, you get us.”

Matthew rolled his eyes, but there was a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Ignore him. He’s been like this since we left the city.”

“And you love it,” Taylor shot back, winking at me.

I laughed, the sound coming easier than it had in days. “I do, actually. The house has been so quiet lately. Maja’s always with her friends, and with your dad in France... well, it’s been lonely.”

Taylor’s grin softened, and he stood, pulling me into a quick, dramatic hug. “Don’t worry, Mom. We’re here to save you from the quiet.”

“Or make it worse,” Matthew muttered, though his tone was warm.

Taylor let go of me and spun around, pointing at Matthew. “Speaking of making things worse—Mom, did you know your son here is officially a goner? Head over heels, completely whipped.”

“Taylor,” Matthew warned, his voice low.

I raised an eyebrow, my curiosity piqued. “Oh? And who’s the lucky girl?”

“Her name’s Heizel,” Taylor said before Matthew could stop him, plopping back down into his chair. “She’s smart, gorgeous, and apparently has him wrapped around her finger. It’s adorable, really.”

Matthew groaned, running a hand through his hair as a faint flush crept up his neck. “You have no boundaries.”

“Of course not,” Taylor said, grinning like the cat that got the cream. “That’s why I’m the favorite.”

I couldn’t help but laugh, shaking my head. “Heizel, huh? She must be special if she’s got you blushing like that, Matthew.”

“She’s... different,” Matthew said after a moment, his voice quieter. He met my eyes briefly, and I could see the vulnerability there, the honesty. “She makes me happy.”

The warmth that spread through my chest was instant, filling the empty corners of my heart. “Well, I can’t wait to meet her. It sounds like she’s doing a good job of keeping you in check.”

“She is,” Taylor interjected, his grin widening. “You should’ve seen him last week. I caught him staring at his phone, waiting for her to text him back. It was painful. Like watching a teenager with a crush.”

“Taylor,” Matthew growled, but there was no real heat in his voice.

“What? It’s true!” Taylor shot back, laughing as he dodged the apple Matthew tossed at his head.

“Boys,” I said, trying to sound stern but failing miserably as I chuckled.

The kitchen filled with their laughter, their banter bouncing off the walls, and I felt a deep sense of contentment. This was what I’d been missing—the noise, the energy, the sheer joy of having them here.

“Alright,” I said, clapping my hands together. “Since you’re both here, I expect you to stay for breakfast. And no arguing.”

Taylor saluted me. “Yes, ma’am. Can I request pancakes? With extra syrup?”

“Of course,” I said, ruffling his hair as I passed him.

Matthew’s lips twitched into a smile as he leaned against the counter, watching me move around the kitchen. “It’s good to be home, Mom.”

“It’s good to have you home,” I replied, my heart full.

For the first time in weeks, the house didn’t feel so empty. It was alive again, filled with love, laughter, and the two boys who meant everything to me.