The One

Good Morning

 Anna laughed heartily at Jason and Christian's bickering, their playful jests echoing through the kitchen like a pair of adolescents. Just as she turned to leave the room, she paused, glancing back at Christian with a mischievous sparkle in her eye. "She's sleeping in Luka's room," she announced, then sashayed out, her laughter trailing behind her.

"Greenlight from Mum! Bro, you've been accepted into the family. Welcome!" Christian's heart raced as he climbed the stairs to his son's room, situated right next to his mate's. He approached the door with painstaking care, opening it slowly to avoid any creaks that might disrupt the serene slumber inside. Closing it softly, he stepped into the quiet sanctuary.

His gaze fell upon the two beloved figures—his mate and their son—sleeping peacefully, their faces bathed in the warm glow of morning light. A wave of disbelief washed over him; his mate had come to him in his moment of darkness, breaking the chains that had bound him, and together they had embraced a new beginning last night. Guilt knotted in his chest for being rough, but joy fluttered alongside it, knowing he had brought this happiness to his mate.

Shaking off the weight of his thoughts, he carefully manoeuvred onto the bed, squeezing himself into the space between them. Instantly, both mother and son instinctively snuggled closer, drawing him into their warmth as if he were the very blanket that shielded them from the world.

As the family drifted deeper into their shared slumber, it was Luka who stirred first. With a gentle insistence, he shook his parents awake. "Mummy, Daddy," he whispered softly, testing the waters of their consciousness. But his sweet calls were met with sleepy mumbles.

"Mummy, mummy, wake up," he urged again, this time with a hint of determination.

"Five more minutes," Karol murmured, muffled by the sheets.

"Daddy, daddy, wake up!" Luka's voice rose, piercing the drowsy atmosphere.

"Give Daddy five more minutes," Christian replied, groggy yet hopeful.

"MUMMY DADDY WAKE UP!!" Luka's exclamation erupted like a firecracker, and he folded his arms in a defiant stance, initiating the day with enthusiasm.

"I'm up, I'm up!" Karol and Christian chorused as they both sat up, still tangled in the warmth of their shared dreams.

"Ugh, baby boy, you almost gave Mummy and Daddy a heart attack!" they groaned in tandem, exchanging bemused glances.

Karol turned her gaze, eyes widening in surprise as she looked at her mate, still ruffling his sleep-tousled hair. "Why are you here?" she asked, her tone mixing curiosity with delight.

Christian's smile was disarming as he replied, "I'm here to bring my runaway bride home." With a tender motion, he pulled Luka onto his lap, eliciting a puzzled expression from the boy, who then settled down, blinking at his parents.

"Anyway, breakfast?" she ventured.

"No thank you, Mummy! I ate hours ago, and Grandma asked me to call you for lunch," Luka declared gleefully.

"Mummy, Daddy, not fair! You snuggle together but leave me alone!" he pouted dramatically.

"Oh is that so, my boy? Then come here! It's snuggle time!" Christian laughed, drawing his mate into the embrace as well. Together, they formed a tangle of limbs on the small bed, warmth radiating from their closeness. Luka buried his nose into his mother's neck, inhaling her familiar scent, which made her purr in delight.

Seizing the moment, Christian leaned in as well, his arms encircling both his son and mate, inhaling the intoxicating scent of his family that sent shivers of joy down their spines.

"You two are a bunch of kids," she affectionately scolded, playfully tilting her head to let them breathe in her scent. "Okay, get up you two, or I might just eat you both!" she quipped, pretending to wriggle free from their grasp.

"Okay, okay, let's go before Grandma gets angry," Christian managed between giggles.

The trio tumbled downstairs, the atmosphere buzzing with familial warmth as they joined the rest of the family for lunch.

"Em, guys, later after lunch I'll take Luka and Karol out for a stroll around the city," Christian announced mid-conversation, his heart fluttering with anticipation.

"Huh? What's with the sudden agenda?" she raised an eyebrow, amused.

"I was supposed to tell you this morning, but someone decided to run away from me instead," he shrugged, a playful smile creeping onto his face. "I meant to mention it when I arrived, but I forgot amidst the chaos and fell asleep with you both. So, here I am, telling you and the family now."

"Have fun!" Sharon smirked from across the table, earning an eye-roll from her sister.

"That's a great idea, son!" William chimed in, his eyes twinkling. "Get her out and explore the city a bit. You young folks need to indulge in life, just like your mother and me," he added, side-hugging his wife, who nodded her agreement.

"Yeah, sissy, go and have some fun!" Sharon piped up. "All you do is stay locked up in here and work. Yes, yes sissy, I know your schedule!" she teased, earning a chuckle from the family.

"Mummy, let's go with Daddy! Please, Mummy, please!" Luka begged.

"Alright, alright, we'll go and have fun," Karol relented, the spark of mischief in her eyes.

Everyone couldn't help but smirk at her response, rallying behind Christian's plans as he let out a silent thank you to the family, earning a nod of support from them all, unbeknownst to her.