Page 41 of The Billionaire's Christmas Wish

She playfully swats me away with the spatula. “There’s enough to share.”

Right on cue, tiny feet pound down the stairs. Our five-year-old twins barrel into the kitchen, all tangled bedhead and pajama-clad limbs.

Ziggy crashes right into my legs, nearly knocking me over. He's a boundless ball of energy, keeping us on our toes.

“Daddy, Daddy! Is it time for pancakes?” he asks, big brown eyes pleading.

I ruffle his wild, dark curls. “You bet, buddy.”

“Daddy, look!” Ziggy says as he holds up his pancake shaped like a dinosaur. “It's a T-Rex!”

Looking at Audrey, I point to the plate and chuckle. “Future paleontologist?”

She shrugs. “Yesterday, he wanted to become a firefighter.”

Meanwhile, our daughter Zara rests her chin on the counter, quietly watching each pancake's transformation from batter to golden brown.

Where Ziggy never stops moving, Zara is content to sit for hours sketching on her drawing pad. Her curious, creative spirit reminds me of a young Audrey.

Audrey places the pancakes on the table, and I drizzle syrup over them, savoring the sweet aroma.

Ziggy shares his adventures from preschool, talking nonstop and waving sticky, syrup-coated hands for emphasis.

“Me and Milo, we played dinos at recess! I was the super speedy raptor, and he was the big T-Rex. We roared and ran everywhere on the playground!”

“Sounds like quite the adventure,” I say, tousling his hair.

Zara nibbles her pancakes politely, listening to her brother's story. But I can see the spark of imagination in her eyes as she mentally sketches a playground filled with dinosaur children.

Watching my family, my heart swells with love and pride. The twins are the greatest gifts Audrey could have given me.

After so many years of being kept apart, we are now two souls reunited against all odds.

I catch Audrey's eye, and her knowing look says she understands what I'm thinking. Under the table, she threads her fingers through mine.

After breakfast, Audrey sends the kids outside to play while I tidy the kitchen. Audrey returns, the dishwasher’s loaded, and the final food container closes with a satisfying snap.

“The leftovers should be good for Mom and Dad when they come over,” I tell her.

She gives me a coy smile. “You already asked Grandma to take the kids tonight.”

I wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her close. “Your parents are globe-trotting around Asia. Someone needs to look after the kids.”

“Do you have something special planned for our anniversary?” she asks.

I nuzzle into her neck, breathing her in. “Maybe. You'll have to wait and see.”

Audrey laughs, swatting me playfully. “You're terrible.”

“Only for you,” I whisper. I tilt her chin and capture her lips in a deep, passionate kiss.

After a blissful moment, we break apart, foreheads touching. I enjoy spoiling my wife. It's time to show her what she means to me.

I hold out my hand. “Come with me. I have a surprise for you.”

Audrey's eyes widen when she recognizes the jeweler's logo. “What's this?”

“A little something for our anniversary.”

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