|𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐥 𝐢𝐧 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐞|𝐓𝐨𝐦 𝐑𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐥𝐞

32

|| MOMENTS ||
CHAPTER 32

IT WAS A BRISK APRIL EVENING
when the Riddles hosted their first family gathering after the birth of the twins. The air outside still had the bite of winter, but inside the manor, the atmosphere was warm and full of life.

Tom and Nyx had invited the usual: Abraxas, Damien, Nicholas, Rodrick, and even a few extended family members who had been eager to meet the newest additions to the Riddle family. The house was alive with laughter, chatter, and the occasional squeal of excitement as the twins were passed around between their uncles.

Selene, with her dark hair and dark eyes, was peacefully held by her father. Apollo, with his small hands reaching out for whatever caught his attention, was the center of attention, even if he was still a little too young to fully interact.

Abraxas stood nearby, watching the scene unfold. His arms were crossed, his usual smirk softened by a touch of awe. He had already met the children the day they were born, but seeing them again—so full of life—was still a shock. They were tiny, fragile, yet so powerful in their own right.

"I can't believe they're already so—big.", Abraxas said, stepping forward as he approached Tom, who was holding Selene.

"Don't remind me.", Tom replied with a half-smile, but there was a softness in his eyes as he looked down at Selene. "They grow too fast."

Nyx, now cradling Apollo, looked up from her son and caught Abraxas's gaze. "I think you're already their favorite uncle.", she teased, noting the way Abraxas hovered near the twins.

Abraxas rolled his eyes but couldn't hide the pride in his expression. "I'm just making sure they grow up right, that's all."

"Right.", Nyx said, a knowing smile playing at her lips. "By corrupting them early?"

Abraxas grinned widely. "Someone has to teach them the important lessons."

The group laughed, but there was a softness to it—none of them could deny how much their family had changed since the birth of the twins. The arrival of Selene and Apollo had transformed them all. Abraxas was still the chaotic, witty uncle, but even he was showing a different side of himself when it came to his niece and nephew.

AS THE EVENING WORE ON AND
the group settled into the main hall for dinner, Abraxas found himself lingering near the twins' nursery. It was quiet, the dim light from the lanterns casting a peaceful glow over the room. He was careful not to disturb their sleep, but his eyes kept drifting toward them, and for a moment, he didn't quite know what to make of the feeling in his chest.

He had always prided himself on being the cool, detached one, the one who never let emotions get the best of him. But in that moment, as he watched Apollo's tiny hand clench into a fist and Selene shift slightly in her crib, his eyes grew a little misty.

Abraxas cleared his throat, shaking his head as if to rid himself of the feelings welling up inside. He was not the type to cry, especially not in front of others.

But when Nyx walked into the room and saw him standing there, his eyes glistening, she knew immediately.

"You're not really crying, are you?" Nyx asked, her voice a mix of teasing and tenderness.

Abraxas turned to her, his expression hardening, but Nyx could see the hint of emotion that he couldn't hide. "I'm not crying," he said with a defensive shrug. "I just—I just wasn't expecting this. They're ours."

Nyx smiled softly, her heart full. "I know. It's strange, isn't it?"

Abraxas nodded slowly. "They're powerful already. I can feel it. And they're going to grow up knowing exactly who they are."

The words carried weight, and Nyx felt a lump form in her throat. She stepped forward, placing a hand on Abraxas's shoulder. "They're going to be everything we need them to be. Just like we were for each other. We'll raise them right."

Abraxas smiled, though there was still a vulnerability in his eyes. "I can't wait to see what they become."

LATER THAT NIGHT, AFTER
everyone had left, Tom and Nyx sat in the living room, the warmth of the fire flickering against the walls.

Selene was asleep in her crib, her tiny chest rising and falling with each gentle breath, but Apollo was wide awake.

He was lying in Tom's arms, his little hands reaching for everything in sight, his dark eyes filled with curiosity.

"Seems like he's got your curiosity." Nyx whispered, her gaze soft as she watched her son.

Tom grinned, shifting Apollo so that the baby was facing him. "I'm starting to see a bit of both of us in them.", he said, his voice low and thoughtful.

Apollo giggled, trying to grab at Tom's finger and Tom chuckled softly as he gently tugged his hand away. "They're going to be trouble," he added, a playful tone in his voice.

"Good trouble?" Nyx asked, raising an eyebrow as she leaned back on the couch.

"Definitely.", Tom replied with a smirk. "The kind that'll have people running scared."

Nyx laughed, her eyes warm. "I don't think I'm ready for that. But we'll handle it."

Tom's smile softened as he kissed the top of Apollo's head, his expression full of love. "We'll do more than handle it. We'll teach them everything they need to know. Together."

Apollo let out a soft giggle, his little hands grasping at Tom's shirt as if understanding the significance of the moment.

Nyx smiled, her heart swelling with love for her little family. "And they'll always know how much we love them. No matter what happens."

Tom nodded, his eyes shining as he gazed at their son. "I promise."

As the fire crackled and the house grew quiet, the Riddles—two parents, two children, and a bond stronger than anything—settled into the peaceful stillness of their new life, full of love and hope for the future.