chapter889

"Y'all get some shut-eye, I'm gonna take a shower." Lysander gently squeezed Elowen's chubby little

hand; his deep voice was softened by a hint of tenderness.

"Okay, Daddy. You go shower. We'll wait for you," Elowen's babyish voice chimed in sweetness.

Her voice could melt Lysander's heart.

"Hmm." Lysander responded, his voice deep and magnetic. He gave her little head a pat before looking

at Thalassa, whose eyes were already on him, brimming with a gentle and loving smile.

It was a soft look filled with mother's love.

When their eyes met, her smile faded and she quickly looked away. He could see that she was still

guarded around him.

Lysander said nothing. He let go of Elowen's hand and headed to the bathroom.

"Let's go to bed first. I'll tell you a story," Thalassa said that when she patted the spot next to her on the

bed.

The kids scrambled over, eager to snuggle up to her arms.

Sophia was the nearest, so she secured the spot in Thalassa’s arms. Elowen, arriving second, had to

settle for the next spot. By the time Dorian and Atticus clambered up, Sophia and Elowen had claimed

the best spots.

They knew the rules - first come, first served. No hard feelings, no fights.

The children lined up, their tiny arms and legs splayed out, resembling little teddy bears. It was a sight

that was both adorable and amusing.

Thalassa's heart was filled with maternal love. Her voice was soft and soothing as she began the

bedtime story, "Sleep tight, here comes the story."

"Ready!" the four kids chimed in unison.

Thalassa began the tale of The Three Little Pigs, a story she had repeated countless times. But the

kids loved it and they never got tired of it.

Perhaps they were exhausted from the day's play because before she could finish the story, the sound

of their soft, sweet breathing had filled the room.

Thalassa stopped mid-sentence, looking up to find all four of them asleep.

She gave Sophia and Elowen's chubby cheeks a gentle kiss. Her heart was filled with love for these

adorable little beings.

After tucking them in, Thalassa closed her eyes, feeling extremely tired. With the kids beside her, she

felt incredibly at ease and drifted off to sleep in no time.

Suddenly, she felt a warm, muscular chest against her back. The solid touch radiated through her

clothes, along with the faint scent of water. A strong arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer.

This dominant move startled Thalassa awake. She instinctively tried to break free.

"Don't move!" a deep, husky voice commanded.

Thalassa froze instantly as she became aware of the heat against her back.

And she knew better about the change in Lysander's body.

Thalassa's drowsiness was completely gone now. "The kids are still here, Lysander, you can't..." she

pleaded weakly.

"Are they? Where are they?" Lysander's deep voice echoed behind her ear, his warm breath tickling

her.

Thalassa, who was ticklish, shrank back. Her foot reached out to feel for the kids on the bed but found

nothing.

Where were the kids?

Weren't they just sleeping soundly on the bed?