Chapter 24(Tori P.O.V)

Three years later, I watched Adrian playing with our twins, Jeremy and Jadaya. A warm sense of peace washed over me. Adrian had become the CEO of Dad’s hospital- it was willed to him and he was not only an amazing father to our children but also a wonderful husband to me.

Annoyingly, neither of our kids looked like me- they inherited Adrian’s features and a little of Aunt Nina’s charm. Speaking of Nina, she was now a top model for Chanel. Her striking looks and figure were perfect for the runway. She had visited last month, gushing over her niece and nephew, and playfully picking on Adrian whenever she got the chance. Adrian, as always, endured her teasing with good humor, while I refused to referee their sibling banter.

I had visited Dad and Mom’s grave with Adrian and our kids, alongside Iris and her dad. Dropping a bouquet of flowers for them brought me a sense of calm and closure. My niece Isabella had grown into a mini fashion icon, modeling Christian Dior’s children’s line. She was like a super girl to both Lilac and Jasper, who adored her.

Iris was happily engaged to her longtime best friend Fred- they had reconnected after ten years apart at an evening party, and their love had only grown stronger. Isabella was soon to have a baby brother, as Iris and Fred were expecting their second child. On Iris’s birthday, I willed Mom’s shopping store to her, and she was overjoyed. Dad inherited the corporation, which he managed with his usual skill. As for me, I had become a movie director, finding both fulfillment and success in my work. Life had finally settled into happiness and balance.

Even my big sister’s friends, Jade and Lily, were thriving. Both had children; Lily was expecting her second, while Jade was not quite ready for another.

Adrian looked up and caught me watching him with the kids.

“Why don’t you join us, babe?” he called.

“Nah, I’m good,” I said with a smile.

“You’re sure about that?” he asked.

“Yup, I’m good,” I replied.

“Okay, kids, Mommy said we can play some more!” he announced.

“Yay!” they chorused, blowing me kisses.

I rolled my eyes and walked into the house, smiling as I took in our family home. I paused to admire our wedding photos- one of my favorites had Adrian, me, and Nina goofing off, sticking our tongues out in a silly pose. Nina had always been a clown, and our kids loved seeing her antics.

“What are you thinking about?” Adrian asked from behind me.

“I was just looking at our pictures… and how we ended up this happy,” I said, smiling.

“Mommy, can we eat now?” Lilac called, looking up at me.

“Sure, after you freshen up,” I told the twins, walking away.

“You’re mad at us?” Adrian asked, catching up.

“Yeah,” I replied, looking into his eyes with a smirk.

“Why?” he asked.                

“I want another baby… one that looks like me,” I teased.

“What?” he blinked, startled.

“Jeremy and Jadaya look just like you and Nina,” I said. “It’s unfair- they don’t look like their own mom.”

“So, you want another baby?” he asked, smiling.

“Yeah,” I answered confidently.

“And what if the next one looks like Nina or me?” he teased.

“We keep trying until we have a baby that looks like me,” I said playfully.

Funny enough, we did. Our next baby girl, Janelle, had inherited my features. Finally, a little one who looked like me- a perfect addition to our family.