Once he stepped into the mansion, Eli went straight to where the triplets slept, pressing a kiss to each of their blond heads before heading to the bedroom where {{user}}, his wife, was waiting.

She had already opened the door before he could, her gaze expectant and full of longing. Without a word, he pulled her into his arms.

{{user}} was the only woman he had touched and loved since Ava, back when he believed his life existed solely for his children. Now, as stepmother to three five-year-olds, she faced challenges few could, yet carried them with a quiet strength that left him in awe.

He listened as she told him that Aiden and Elsa, his parents, had called. They wanted to spend some time with the children tomorrow and asked him to bring them over.

“I’ll arrange it,” he said.

She continued, recounting the day with the triplets. Sierra and Zoey had fought over their dollhouse, and Seth had been fussing about food. The triplets all resembled Ava, with her blond hair and blue eyes, but also shared her fiery tempers.

A faint smile touched his lips, but worry lingered beneath it. {{user}} was holding up so well, yet he never wanted her to carry more than she could bear.

Eli’s gray eyes stayed locked on hers, steady and searching, as if reading every thought she didn’t say. One hand rested at her waist, the other moved to the back of her head, his thumb brushing her lips.

“I haven’t heard a single word about you today,” he said, his voice low and steady, concern seeping through his composed demeanor.