Unexpected

Special Chapter 4

Four years later, their family had grown into something out of a dream. Sky and Nani had settled into their roles as fathers to their three-year-old daughter, Aira—a bundle of joy and mischief wrapped in the sweetest giggles and the brightest eyes.

Sky was the cool, fun dad, always ready to indulge Aira in her wildest whims. Whether it was building pillow forts, hosting impromptu dance parties, or sneaking cookies before dinner, Sky and Aira were partners in crime. They’d often burst into laughter over their silly antics, their bond evident in every shared glance and secret giggle.

Nani, on the other hand, balanced Sky’s playful chaos with his firm yet loving demeanor. While he was the stricter parent, his love for Aira was boundless. He made sure she learned her manners, brushed her teeth, and ate her vegetables, though his resolve often melted under her puppy-dog eyes. Nani’s day wouldn’t be complete without tucking Aira into bed with a story, kissing her forehead, and whispering how much he loved her.

Their dynamic as a family was perfectly imperfect.

One sunny weekend, they decided to spend the day in their backyard. Sky was teaching Aira how to play soccer while Nani prepared snacks on the patio. Every now and then, he’d glance up to see Sky dramatically “losing” to Aira, who would throw her hands in the air, declaring victory.

“You’re letting her win again, aren’t you?” Nani teased, carrying out a tray of fruit and juice.

Sky looked up with an exaggerated gasp. “Excuse me, Nani, but she’s a natural-born soccer star! I’m just an old man trying to keep up.”

Aira giggled, running over to Nani and tugging at his hand. “Daddy, come play! I’ll teach you how to kick like me.”

Nani sighed with a fond smile, setting the tray down before allowing himself to be dragged onto the grass. “Fine, fine. But don’t gang up on me, okay?”

As expected, Sky and Aira teamed up to playfully “defeat” Nani, their laughter echoing through the yard. After a while, they collapsed onto the grass, breathless and happy, gazing at the blue sky above.

Later that evening, after Aira had fallen asleep clutching her favorite stuffed animal, Sky and Nani sat together on the couch, their fingers intertwined. The house was quiet, save for the soft hum of the TV in the background.

“Can you believe it’s been four years?” Sky murmured, his thumb brushing over Nani’s hand. “And three since Aira came into our lives.”

Nani leaned his head on Sky’s shoulder, his voice soft. “Sometimes it feels like yesterday. Other times, it feels like we’ve been this happy forever.”

Sky turned to press a kiss to Nani’s temple. “You’ve given me everything I could ever want, Nani. A family, a life filled with love. I’ll never stop being grateful.”

Nani smiled, tilting his head up to meet Sky’s gaze. “You’re my everything too, Sky. I wouldn’t trade this life for anything.”

They stayed like that for a while, wrapped in each other’s warmth. The journey they had taken together—filled with challenges, laughter, and love—had brought them to this moment, a peaceful, happy ending to their story.

In their hearts, they knew that the love they shared, the family they had built, and the memories they continued to create would always bind them together. As they closed their eyes that night, holding each other close, they both felt the same quiet joy: they were home, and their love would last forever.