Unbroken Vows

Chapter 15

The days had passed in a delicate balance of joy and healing, but deep within Tul’s heart, shadows still lingered. Every time he caught his reflection in the mirror, a flood of self-doubt would wash over him. He’d stare at the man in front of him—the slightly rounder face, the curve of his belly, the dark circles under his eyes from restless nights—and he couldn’t help but wonder: Am I enough?

It had been months since Tul returned to Mew’s life, but no matter how much love he felt, those dark thoughts clung to him like a second skin. He felt alien in his own body. Once, he had been confident, with a body that had reflected who he thought he was. Now, standing in front of the mirror, he saw a man who had been broken by abuse, by loneliness, by the cruel words of society. A man carrying a child while trying to reconnect with the family he thought he had lost forever.

One morning, as Tul was alone in their bedroom, he stood in front of the mirror again, tugging at the oversized shirt that clung to his growing belly. His hands ran over the soft curve, his lips pursed in thought. "How could Mew still look at me the same way?" he whispered to himself. He let out a shaky breath, running his fingers through his hair.

Suddenly, he felt a warm presence behind him. Mew’s arms wrapped around him gently, his hands resting on Tul’s belly. "You’re doing it again," Mew said softly, his voice a comforting hum in Tul’s ear.

Tul jumped slightly, caught off guard. "Doing what?" he asked, though he already knew the answer.

Mew didn’t need to say anything. His eyes caught Tul’s in the mirror, and the silence between them said everything. Tul averted his gaze, feeling the weight of Mew’s understanding.

"You’re beautiful, Tul," Mew whispered, pressing a soft kiss on the back of his neck. "No matter what you see in that mirror, you’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever known."

Tul shook his head, feeling tears prick the back of his eyes. "You’re just saying that because you love me. Look at me, Mew... I’m not the same. I’m broken."

Mew turned Tul around gently, cupping his face in his hands, forcing him to look into his eyes. "You’re not broken, love. You’ve been hurt, yes. You’ve been through more than anyone should have to endure, but none of that makes you less than what you are. You’re strong. You’re brave. And you’re still the same man I fell in love with, the same man I married."

Tul tried to look away, but Mew wouldn’t let him. He gently wiped away the tears that began to fall. "Do you know what I see when I look at you? I see the father of my children, the man who carries our love, our history, in every part of him. I see someone who’s survived hell and still manages to smile every day. I see the person who has given me everything, even when he had nothing left to give."

"But, Mew…" Tul’s voice cracked. "What if... what if I can’t be enough? What if I fail you? Fail our daughters?"

Mew’s eyes softened, and he leaned in, pressing his forehead against Tul’s. "You could never fail me, Tul. Just by being here, just by loving our daughters the way you do, you’ve already given me more than I could ever ask for. You’re more than enough for me, and for them."

Tul sniffled, his heart heavy with emotion. Mew always knew what to say, how to make him feel seen, understood, loved. But the doubt was still there, a small voice in the back of his mind that wouldn’t let go.

Mew, sensing that Tul needed something more, gently led him to the bed and sat him down. "Wait here," he whispered, and disappeared for a moment. Tul sat there, hands nervously resting on his belly, wondering what Mew was up to.

A few minutes later, Mew returned, carrying something in his hands. Tul blinked in surprise. Mew had brought over a small photo album—one Tul had forgotten even existed. It was the album they had made after their honeymoon, filled with photos of them together, of their love captured in moments they had cherished.

Mew sat beside him, opening the album slowly. "Remember this?" he asked softly, showing a picture of them both, smiling under the stars during their honeymoon. Tul’s breath caught in his throat. He remembered that night—the warmth of Mew’s arms, the way they had laughed together, the feeling of being utterly free, just the two of them against the world.

"How could I forget?" Tul whispered, his fingers brushing over the photo.

Mew flipped the pages, showing more moments—their wedding day, their first anniversary, a lazy Sunday morning where they’d stayed in bed all day, just holding each other. Each picture was a reminder of the love they had built, of the life they had shared before everything went wrong.

"Look at these," Mew said, his voice thick with emotion. "These moments… they’re not just memories, Tul. They’re proof. Proof that we’ve survived so much, proof that we’ve always found our way back to each other."

Tul looked at the photos, his heart swelling with a mix of sadness and hope. He had forgotten how happy they had been, how deeply they had loved each other. And now, even after everything, Mew still looked at him with the same adoration, the same unwavering belief in their love.

"I love you, Tul," Mew whispered, leaning in to kiss him softly. "And I will keep loving you, no matter what happens. No matter how you see yourself, I will always see the man I fell in love with."

Tul’s tears fell freely now, but they weren’t just from sadness. They were from the overwhelming warmth he felt in Mew’s words, the love that wrapped around him like a blanket, shielding him from the cold of his own doubt.

"I love you too, Mew," Tul whispered, his voice trembling. "I always have."

Mew smiled, wiping away Tul’s tears. He pulled Tul into his arms, holding him close, letting him rest his head on his chest. "We’ll get through this, love," he murmured. "Together. We always do."

And for the first time in a long time, Tul believed him. He wasn’t alone anymore. He had Mew. He had his daughters. He had a family. And that was more than enough.

Later that evening, as the sun began to set, they sat together in the living room, Mayera and Mayesha nestled between them. The girls were fascinated by Tul’s belly, giggling and pointing as their unborn sibling moved inside. Tul smiled softly, placing his hand over theirs.

"See?" Mew whispered, leaning in close. "You’re their hero, Tul. You’re their world."

Tul looked at his daughters, their innocent eyes shining with joy, and for the first time in months, he felt whole. Maybe he wasn’t perfect. Maybe he had scars that would never fade. But in this moment, surrounded by love, he realized that he was enough. For Mew, for his daughters, and for himself.

And that was all that mattered.

To Be Continued