Love Lasts Forever

another messy morning

I glance into the living room just as Taylor and Nico descend into a fit of giggles, both tugging on a plush koala toy like two tiny gladiators. Demi, my adventurous two-year-old, is plopped on the couch, completely absorbed in whatever cartoon is blaring on the TV. The peaceful sounds of Sabrina and Victor gurgling in their playpen fill the air, only to be interrupted by an escalating babble. Oh no, they're starting to wrestle again.

"Taylor! Nico! Share!" I call out from the kitchen, trying to mask the chaos with a spoonful of mashed bananas. "Girls and boys, we don't tug on things, we share."

"Koala! Mine!" Taylor screeches, her eyes fierce.

"NO! Mine!" Nico shrieks back, his determination unwavering.

Demi shouts from the couch, "Taylor! Stop it!" She scrambles off the couch, attempting to mediate, but really just gets caught in the chaotic energy.

As I swipe a bit of banana off my cheek—definitely not the look I was going for, I add, "Hey, girls, help your brother and sister."

"Victor!" Demi yells, using her most authoritative voice, "Get away from Taylor!"

I look down at Victor, who's being carried by the tiny fingers of his sister. "Demi, honey, we hold babies with both hands, remember?" I try to sound patient, but my patience is wearing thin as I attempt to juggle babysitting like a circus performer.

"Upside-down!" she giggles, fully misunderstanding my warning, now awkwardly dangling Victor by one foot.

"Demiiiii!" Victor's little face goes from joy to sheer panic in an instant.

"Okay, okay!" I rush over, swooping him into my arms before he can fully process the horror. "No upside-down babies, okay?"

In the midst of my chaotic mom-fail, Charlie sneaks up behind me. "You're killing it, babe." He whispers sweetly, his breath warm against my neck.

I roll my eyes but can't wipe the smile off my face. "I look like a hot mess, Charlie."

He pulls back just enough to gaze into my eyes, a smirk playing on his lips. "Hot, messy—what's the difference?"

I'm sure my cheeks heat up, even in this morning whirlwind. "Seriously? You're supposed to be helping, not flirting!"

"Is it wrong to want to take you to dinner tonight if you're looking this good?" he murmurs, leaning in closer, planting a soft kiss on my neck. "I can help you get ready, and maybe we can sneak away after the kids are in bed," he teases, his voice laced with mischief.

"No, no, focus on getting breakfast—" I begin, but he cuts me off with another kiss, this time lower against my collarbone.

"Forget breakfast. Let's focus on us," he whispers, his fingers teasing through my messy hair. "I really like this look you've got going. Wild, carefree. Just makes me want you more."

"Charlie!" I laugh, feeling utterly flustered. "Can you please control yourself? I can't be this distracted right now!"

"Too late." He winks, stepping back and pulling a chaotic breakfast together as if magically responding to our fray.

Sabrina and Victor are now livelier than ever, their giggles turning into excited squeals while Taylor and Nico continue to battle over the koala.

By the time evening rolls around, I finally manage to escape into the bathroom for a shower. Oh, sweet solitude. As the warm water cascades over me, I'm starting to feel somewhat human again.

When I step back into the chaos of the day, dressed and feeling fresh, Charlie's eyes light up like I just walked in wearing the crown jewels. "See? Told you, you're stunning," he says, walking towards me and slipping an arm around my waist.

"Yeah, yeah. Just wait until bedtime," I tease back, fully aware of how my resolve weakens by the second.

"Never," he promises with that sultry grin that makes my heart skip. "I can wait."

And just like that, with the sound of my chaotic little troop humming around me, I think of him and me, the entwining blend of love and laughter amidst the beautiful mess of our lives. Maybe we can gray the lines of our busy parenting with a bit more... us.

Now, about that dinner...