Page 169 of Wild Tangled Hearts

What would you like to do next?

Wrinkles, rocking chairs, and grey hairs. See what a lifetime of love and adventure with Alex looks like. Turn to this page.

End your journey and go to the Afterward. Turn to this page.

Go back to the beginning and start a new journey with Bella. Turn to this page.

Chapter81

ALex

FULL HOUSE, FULL HEARTS

Adecade has passed since Alex and I exchanged our vows, and our lives have undergone a remarkable transformation. Our love has deepened, our family has expanded, and each day has become an exhilarating journey. Presently, we joyfully embrace the roles of doting parents to a spirited four-year-old named Matthew, as well as the playful and mischievous two-year-old twin boys, Tristan and Owen. To add an exciting twist to it all, I am expecting once again.

Becoming parents has completely shaken things up, but it's brought a whole lot of joy into our lives.

I feel Alex’s warmth as he comes up from behind, his hands gently resting on my baby bump. I smile, knowing he loves feeling our growing child move within me. His breath tickles my ear as he whispers, “You know, you’re the sexiest woman in the world.”

“You always say that.” I chuckle, leaning back into his embrace.

“Cause it’s true,” he insists, his voice low and tender.

“Just wait another three months, and I’ll be the sexiest whale in the room.”

“But you’ll be my whale.” He laughs softly, his fingers tracing circles on my belly.

“You’re terrible.” I mock huff at him and playfully swat his arm.

He nuzzles his face into my neck, planting a sweet kiss there. “And you love it.”

I can’t deny it. I do love it — I love our playful banter, and I love him and our crazy, hectic family. I couldn’t ask for anything more.

Today is one of those chaotic, frenzied days that I cherish. It started with Matthew waking up early, jumping on our bed, and declaring, “It’s a beautiful day, Mom and Dad! Let’s make it awesome!”

And it is. Even when the milk spills, and the twins have runny noses, even when Alex and I argue about silly things that don’t matter, even in the chaos that has become my life — it is in Matthew’s words, “Awesome.”

Matthew is currently running in circles, pretending to be a superhero, with a bedsheet cape flapping behind him. He shouts, “Captain Matthew to the rescue!” and crashes onto the couch. The twins join the chase, but Tristan falls with a holler. Matthew rushes to help, and they resume their adventures with laughter echoing through the room.

Alex takes one look at me, grinning, and says, “Our living room has become a war zone, Commander Bella. Permission to join the fray?”

“Permission granted, Captain.” I salute him.

We dive into the mess, pretending to be superheroes too, and the laughter in our house reaches epic levels.

“Mom, Dad, watch me fly!” Matthew declares, jumping off the couch with all the grace of a superhero, which is to say, none. He lands on the cushions with a dramatic thud.

Alex helps him up, playfully scolding, “Remember, superheroes always stick the landing.”

Breakfast is a spectacle. Matthew insists on wearing his superhero costume — a mismatched ensemble of pajama pants and a t-shirt. He spills milk all over the table, but his giggles are infectious, so I can’t help but laugh along.

Once I’ve cleared the breakfast battlefield, it’s time for a family outing. We pack the kids into the car, and Matthew demands that we play his favorite song, and we sing along as we drive to the local park.

At the playground, chaos reigns supreme. Matthew runs around like a whirlwind, with the twins wobbling behind him. Alex chases after them, trying to keep up.

“Dad, can we go on the swings?” Matthew asks, breathless from all his running.

“Sure thing, buddy,” Alex replies, lifting him onto the swing with a grin.

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