Three Little Heartbeats

Chapter 47: Building Our Forever

Morning sunlight streamed through the large windows of the estate, casting a warm glow over the freshly painted walls. The twins, now a few months old, were playing on the floor, their innocent giggles echoing through the house. Alexia watched them with a soft smile, her heart swelling with love every time she saw their tiny faces.

It had been only a few weeks since their return to Ilocos Norte, but it already felt like home. The transition had been smoother than Alexia expected, and she was slowly finding her place here again. Her days were filled with caring for the twins and adjusting to the life she had once left behind. It was busy, yes, but in the best way possible—full of moments she never thought she'd experience.

Sandro was just as dedicated. Since coming back to the province, he had been working on a more balanced schedule, carving out time between his political duties and family life. Alexia could see the change in him. The once-distant congressman who had been absorbed in his career now sat on the floor playing peekaboo with his children, laughing as their tiny hands reached for his face. He had become more than just a politician—he had become a father, a partner, and, slowly, her Sandro again.

"We're really doing this, aren't we?" Alexia whispered as she leaned against the kitchen counter, watching the scene unfold in front of her.

Sandro glanced up, catching her gaze. "We are," he said with a smile. He stood up, walking over to her, his eyes soft with affection. "It's not perfect, but it's ours."

The weight of his words hung between them. It hadn't been an easy journey—they had faced grief, heartbreak, and distance. But standing here now, in the quiet morning with their children close by, they had found something stronger. Their love had been tested in ways neither of them had imagined, yet they had come out on the other side with a deeper understanding of each other and what they wanted for their future.

"I was thinking," Sandro began, his tone casual but purposeful. "I've been spending so much time away from politics lately, and honestly, it feels... good. Being here with you and the kids, this is what I've been missing."

Alexia raised an eyebrow, curious. "What are you saying?"

"I don't want to miss any more moments with our family. I know politics is important to me, but I also know that it's not everything. I've been thinking about stepping back—finding a way to make my role less demanding so I can be present here, with you."

The surprise on Alexia's face was evident. For so long, his career had been a central part of their problems, the thing that always seemed to pull them apart. Hearing him talk about stepping back from it felt almost surreal.

"You'd really do that?" she asked softly. "After everything you've worked for?"

Sandro nodded, his expression sincere. "I've worked hard, but nothing is worth losing this. I don't want to be the father who's only a name or a picture in the background. I want to be here for every smile, every milestone, every challenge. I'm ready for a change."

Alexia's heart swelled with emotion. She had always known how ambitious Sandro was, how much his career meant to him. But seeing him now, willing to prioritize their family, made her realize how far they had come.

"You don't have to give it all up, Sandro," she said, placing a hand on his chest. "But if stepping back is what you want, then I support you. We'll figure it out together."

He leaned down, pressing his forehead to hers. "We've been through so much, Alexia. I don't want to miss any more of our lives together."

Her breath caught in her throat, and for a moment, all the memories of their rocky past flashed before her—their whirlwind romance, the painful separation, the grief of losing one of their babies. But in this moment, none of that seemed to matter. They had been given a second chance, and she was ready to embrace it.

"I love you," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I've always loved you."

Sandro smiled, his arms wrapping around her waist as he pulled her close. "I love you too, and I'm not going anywhere this time."

They stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, letting the peacefulness of the moment settle between them. In the background, the twins continued to play, their giggles a reminder of the life they had built together. It wasn't the life they had imagined, but it was real, and it was theirs.

As the morning unfolded, Alexia felt a new sense of purpose blossoming within her. For the first time in a long while, the future didn't seem so uncertain. She wasn't just the woman Sandro loved or the mother of his children—she was a partner in building their forever.

Later that day, as they sat on the veranda watching the sun dip below the horizon, Sandro held her hand, his thumb gently brushing over her knuckles.

"I've been thinking," he said quietly, breaking the comfortable silence between them. "Maybe we could have a small ceremony. Just for us, to celebrate this new beginning. A way to mark the start of this new chapter in our lives."

Alexia turned to him, surprise in her eyes. "A ceremony? Like... a wedding?"

He smiled. "Something like that. Nothing too big, just something to remind us of our commitment to each other and to our family. We've been through a lot, and I think it's time we celebrate how far we've come."

Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, but this time, they weren't born of sadness. They were tears of joy, of gratitude, of hope. "I'd love that," she whispered, squeezing his hand. "I'd love nothing more."

In that moment, Alexia knew that they were truly building their forever. The past would always be a part of them, but it didn't have to define them. What mattered was the present—their love, their children, and the life they were creating together.

As the stars began to twinkle in the darkening sky, Alexia rested her head on Sandro's shoulder, her heart full. They had found their way back to each other, and this time, they weren't letting go. Together, they would face whatever challenges came their way, united in their love and commitment to their family.

And for the first time in a long time, Alexia knew that they were exactly where they were meant to be—right here, building their forever.