Neptune

Epilogue

C A S S I E

One year has passed since the entire world found out the truth about our family. After all that we've gone through, I feel that every day I've spent with Luke and Aiden is a treasure.

Like now: a simple breakfast in the morning with them already makes my day complete even though I haven't even started my activities.

When I pull out the chair to sit down beside Aiden, who's already eating his sandwich, he stares at me like he's deep in thought. My eyebrows raise as his eyes fall on my tummy.

I smile, noticing his confused expression. "What's the matter, sweetheart?"

To my surprise, he places his hand on my stomach and looks up at me, curiosity on his face. "Is it there already?"

My brows furrow. I'm still trying to figure out what he means.

"The baby," he echoes.

I'm at a loss for words. Luke's chuckle snaps our attention toward him sitting at the other side of the dining table.

Luke places his coffee on the table, looking like he's trying hard to not burst out laughing. He coughs, his fist covering his mouth.

"Aiden." Luke clears his throat. "You want to have little brothers and sisters?"

Aiden's eyes sparkle as he stares at Luke. "Can I?"

Luke shoots me a glance, amusement present in his eyes before he focuses his attention back on Aiden.

"Tommy just got a baby sister, and he bragged about how cool it was to hold her," Aiden says in excitement. "He even showed me the picture, and it's cute."

Right. Tommy, his classmate. I should have known that Aiden loves babies. He has always thought that they're cute.

Luke smiles. "Would you still think so when they cry a lot? Are you sure that you won't make them cry?"

"Why would I make them cry?" Aiden looks lost. "Well, I definitely like to play with them. I don't know if that would make them cry?"

Luke laughs, his arms now crossed on the table. "Well, if you really want it, I'm sure that we can do something about it."

He shoots his gaze to me again, and I don't know how he can talk about this so casually in front of Aiden. Clueless Aiden. Luke seems to enjoy this conversation too much.

"I'm sure that I can do something about it, Aiden. I don't mind trying hard." Luke throws me a meaningful look, making me stop eating and drop the fork I'm holding.

I clear my throat and grab a glass of water before taking a large gulp of it.

"Will the baby really come if you try hard?" Aiden innocently asks Luke, and that makes me almost splatter the water from my mouth, while Luke laughs, throwing his head back.

Aiden looks at both of us in confusion.

"I don't understand how Dad can make the baby," Aiden says to me, his voice still rich with curiosity.

"Well—"

"Luke," I cut Luke off and glare at him biting his smirk. I know that he wouldn't tell Aiden, but I just can't bear listening to more of his words, knowing how much he enjoys teasing me.

"Aiden." A soft smile touches my lips as I stare down at Aiden, my cute little Aiden in his school uniform, who is always curious about things. "You know, when there's a mommy...and daddy..."

"In love," Luke points out, his eyes filled with adoration as he watches me.

I nod. "Yes, in love..." I falter while Aiden is still staring at me with his curious, big amber eyes. "Then the baby can happen."