Love Lasts Forever

no fighting

The sunlight sneaks through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the chaos that is our living room. I can hear Taylor wailing her little lungs out from her crib, and the louder she screams, the more frantic I feel. Nico's shrieks aren't much better, and my sweet little Demi, who just turned one, is kicking and throwing a mini-tantrum just because I told her it's time to get dressed.

"Okay, okay!" I shout over the noise, racing between cribs and my wailing toddler. "Let's all just take a deep breath, shall we?"

"NO!" Demi's face is scrunched up, tears making paths down her cheeks.

"Okay, how about a sticker?" I propose, trying to salvage a meltdown.

"NO STICKERS!" she screams, throwing her favorite stuffed rabbit across the room.

"Why is everyone so unhappy today?" I mumble to no one in particular, shaking my head in utter disbelief.

Just then, I hear Charlie enter the room. "What's going on in here?" he asks, his brow furrowing as he surveys the scene.

"Tay's crying, Nico's screaming, and Demi's throwing a tantrum!" I say, feeling the frustration bubble up inside me. "What else could it possibly be?"

Charlie makes his way to Nico's crib, trying to soothe the little guy. "Hey, buddy! It's okay. Shhh..." His voice is calm, and yet it only makes my boiling blood feel hotter.

I storm past him to Taylor's crib. "You're fine, Tay!" I say sharply, adjusting her blanket more roughly than I intended to. "You just want attention, don't you?"

Charlie, taken aback by my tone, raises his eyebrows. "Harper, maybe a little patience would help?"

"Patience?" I snap, and it feels like the last elastic of my sanity is about to snap. "While I'm drowning in toddlers, you're calm and collected?"

"I'm trying to help!" he retorts, visibly hurt. "But I can't if you're yelling at me!"

"Well, maybe I wouldn't have to yell if we both worked together!" I fire back, my voice rising, frustration bubbling over.

He crosses his arms, a frown forming on his lips. "You know it's not my fault these kids are having a meltdown right now."

"Then what am I supposed to do?" I shout, my anger spilling over unfiltered. "Maybe you should've been more supportive when I was pregnant with two! Instead, I did it all!"

Charlie flinches at my words, the hurt evident in his eyes. "You think I didn't want to help? I was terrified. I'm sorry, Harper!" he says, his voice low, walking away toward the bedroom.

"I didn't mean it!" I yell, but he doesn't turn back. Guilt holds me in place as the realities of my words settle in.

The rest of the day moves like molasses. I try to calm Tay and Nico, but each scream reflects the guilt growing inside me. Demi eventually calms down, staring at me with her big, round eyes. I force a smile, but it feels brittle.

After what feels like hours, I finally build the courage to march to our room. Charlie is sitting on the edge of the bed, shoulders tense, the silence loud enough to drown out the world.

"Hey," I say softly, walking in with a guilty heart. "I'm really sorry for what I said."

He keeps his gaze fixed on the floor. "You really hurt me, Harper."

"I didn't mean it, I swear!" I plead, kneeling in front of him. I reach for his hand, but he pulls it back slightly. "I'm just... overwhelmed."

"Being overwhelmed doesn't justify saying hurtful things," he replies, his voice still hurt, but now it's tinged with a hint of understanding.

"I know. I realize how unfair it was," I whisper, feeling tears well up. "You're an amazing dad, and I appreciate everything you do. I'm sorry for snapping."

He exhales, a heavy sigh escaping his lips. "It's just hard for both of us. I worry about you."

"I worry about me too," I admit, swallowing hard. "And I guess I took it out on you, which was wrong." I lean closer, hoping for reconciliation. "Can we please move past this?"

As if considering, he looks at me with a calculation I've seen before in his eyes. I inch forward slowly, leaning in to kiss him. But he turns his head slightly, avoiding my touch, and a pang of regret slices through me.

"Charlie..." I murmur.

"Harper, I need just a minute," he whispers. "I know you're sorry; I just can't brush it away so quickly."

"I understand," I say softly, my heart heavy. I spend the next few hours fumbling through chores, caring for the twins, and distractingly trying to keep Demi entertained. Every giggle she gifts me feels like a step closer to warming Charlie's heart again.

Later, as nighttime settles, I prepare dinner, focusing on the subtle sounds of him moving around behind me, my heart still aching. Finally, as I set the spaghetti on the table, I hear a soft voice.

"Hey."

I turn to find Charlie leaning against the doorway, arms crossed, but his expression is softer now.

"Hey," I reply, my stomach doing a flip.

"Mind if I help?" he asks, stepping into the kitchen.

"Of course not," I smile, relief flooding through me. As we work side by side, silence lingers, but it feels less heavy.

"I really am sorry," I say again, glancing at him. "For everything."

"I know you are," he answers, his voice steady now. "And I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have walked away."

"No, but you were hurt." I turn the stove off and face him. "I understand."

He steps closer, a gentle smile playing on his lips. "Let's forget everything else and just focus on us, alright? We're a team."

"We are," I agree, meeting him halfway and wrapping my arms around him. "I love you."

"I love you too," he whispers, folding me into him. Our kiss comes slowly this time, a merging of hearts mending. Just as I pull away, Tay's wail echoes down the hall.

"Looks like we're back in the game!" Charlie laughs, and suddenly it doesn't feel so chaotic anymore.

"Yep," I reply, nudging him playfully. "Partners in crime?"

"Always," he chuckles, and for the first time all morning, I smile genuinely, my heart swelling for my beautiful, chaotic family.