Page 41 of In Bed with the Ice Queen

Maui giggled, the corners of his mouth curling into a sleepy smile. “More jump ‘morrow?”

“More jumping tomorrow,” Sloane promised, having already made a mental note to allow her son a bit of extra playtime in the morning. Maui shifted in her arms and snuggled deeper against her, relaxing into her warmth.

As the little boy settled, his breathing slowed. The wild energy that had filled the room moments ago began to fade, replaced by the quiet rhythm of sleep. Sloane smiled, her heart full as she watched him drift off, his small face peaceful and content.

“Goodnight, my little kangaroo,” she whispered, pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead. “Sweet dreams.”

His little face looked peaceful as he drifted off to sleep.

Sloane smiled at Helena. “He really loves jumping, doesn’t he?” she whispered. We’re going to need a trampoline in a few years, she thought.

Helena smiled back, brushing her fingers through Maui’s curls. “He does.”

They shared a soft laugh, the kind that resonated with years of shared dreams and challenges. Sloane’s heart swelled with happiness. Just five years ago, their lives had looked so different.

Gently, Sloane slipped out of bed, careful not to wake Maui. She tiptoed over to the door, carrying her son to bed. He seemed so small in the big room filled with bright colors and toys. She paused for a moment to admire his room, filled with dinosaurs and space rockets. Posters of superheroes hung on the walls, and his bookshelf was stacked high with all kinds of stories.

As Sloane quietly left the room, she felt a wave of gratitude wash over her. Every bit of this is ours, she thought. It was her family, her life, and it was everything she had ever wanted.

She padded down the hallway to where the baby monitor sat. Sloane turned it so it faced Maui’s bed. “Just in case,” she whispered under her breath. She knew that sometimes he woke up in the middle of the night. The last thing she wanted was for him to feel scared or alone.

“Everything is perfect,” she said to Helena when she returned to their room. Helena was perched on the edge of the bed, looking at her with a knowing expression, as if she could read Sloane’s mind.

“Thinking about the past again?” Helena asked, her voice soft and warm.

Sloane sat down beside her. “Yeah. It’s wild to think about how far we’ve come.”

“Remember when we first met?” Helena chuckled, shaking her head. “I know I was a bit— What did you call it? Bitter?”

“You were definitely a bit standoffish,” Sloane agreed, laughing. “I thought you were just some gorgeous, entitled person who had everything handed to her.”

Helena raised an eyebrow playfully. “And now?”

“And now you’re my wife, and we have Maui,” Sloane said, her heart full of love for Helena. “You’re not at all what I thought back then. You’re so supportive. You’ve worked so hard, and we’ve built a life together.”

Helena nodded, “What did I tell you back then? I just needed time to show you who I really was.”

Sloane reached for Helena's hand, squeezing it gently. “I’m happy I learned to see beyond first impressions. I love you, and I love our life together.”

“We make a good team,” Helena said, smiling brightly. “And I think Maui is our best collaboration yet.”

Sloane agreed, feeling a rush of happiness. “I never thought I would be a mom at thirty-eight, but look at us now.”

They both glanced at the baby monitor, which had a small light blinking. It made Sloane feel reassured to see Maui’s sleeping figure on the screen.

“I wouldn’t change a thing,” Helena whispered. “We’ve grown together, and I think we’re stronger because of everything we’ve been through.”

“Absolutely,” Sloane replied. “We’re a family, and I feel energized being this close.”

The two women shared a quiet moment, just enjoying the peace of their home and the love they had created. Outside, the moon shone brightly, and inside, their hearts were even brighter.

“Maui’s going to wake up, isn’t he?” Helena said, stifling a yawn.

“Probably,” Sloane said, smiling. “But that’s okay. I wouldn’t trade these moments for anything.”

Sloane sighed, thinking back to how their life together had begun. It had only been a few years ago, but it felt like a lifetime. They had gotten engaged so fast, almost like a whirlwind. Sloane remembered the night when Helena had proposed to her. "Sloane," Helena had said nervously, her voice shaking a little. "I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

Sloane’s heart had raced as she watched Helena pull out the ring. It sparkled in the candlelight of their favorite restaurant, and all Sloane could do was nod and say, “Yes! Yes, a million times, yes!” They had both laughed and cried, the excitement overwhelming.

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