Pulse of the Beat

CHAPTER 41: A Year of Lena

Hey, everyone!

I know, I know—I've been slow to update again. Blame my laziness... and my unreliable pc. But I'm back, and to make up for it, here's Chapter 41, coming in at 34,234 words!

I appreciate you all for sticking around, and I hope this extra-long chapter is worth the wait. Let me know what you think—I'd love to hear from you!

Now, onto the story... Enjoy!❤️😽

🎁 7 Days Before The B-Day 🎁

Lucy stirred at the first tiny whimper from the bassinet beside her bed. The room was still wrapped in the soft hush of early morning, the faint glow of the rising sun casting gentle shadows on the walls. She blinked, shifting slightly, careful not to disturb Tim, who lay beside her, one arm draped over his face as he slept. The whimper turned into a soft fuss, a restless little noise that she'd come to recognize instantly.

Leo.

She turned onto her side, peering over the edge of the bassinet. Their youngest was wide awake, his big brown eyes blinking up at her, his tiny hands stretching toward her in that clumsy, unfocused way newborns had. His little legs kicked against the soft mattress, lips smacking as he worked up the energy for a real cry.

Lucy reached down, scooping him up before he could get too worked up. He was still so small, just over a month old, warm and soft against her chest as she cradled him close. She pressed a kiss to the top of his fuzzy head, inhaling that sweet newborn scent that she knew wouldn't last forever.

Tim groaned beside her, barely lifting his arm enough to peek out. "He up?"

"Nope," she teased, shifting Leo to one arm as she reached for the burp cloth on the nightstand. "I just like holding him for fun."

Tim let out a low chuckle, dropping his arm back over his face. "You do, though."

She smiled because, yeah, he wasn't wrong. Even in the exhaustion of endless nights with a newborn, she loved every moment. Leo was their last baby, the final little piece of their family puzzle, or not, but she wasn't in any rush to let go of these moments, even if they came at the cost of sleep.

The peaceful moment was shattered when their bedroom door burst open.

"Mommy! Daddy!"

Ethan and Emma came barreling in, their identical grins wide as they launched themselves onto the bed. Tim barely had time to react before Emma landed half on his chest, Ethan crawling up beside her with all the energy of a child who had been awake for at least an hour already.

"Oof," Tim grunted, rubbing his chest. "You guys ever heard of knocking?"

"Nope!" Ethan chirped. "Can we watch cartoons?"

Emma leaned into Lucy's side, peering down at Leo with fascination. "He's awake!" she whispered loudly, as if she hadn't just announced her presence by practically body-slamming their father.

Before Lucy could answer, tiny footsteps pattered in the hallway. The sound was uneven, stumbling, a little off-rhythm in the way of a toddler still learning her balance. Lena.

A second later, she appeared in the doorway, her dark curls a mess of sleep, her big eyes blinking as she tried to figure out what all the excitement was about. She took one wobbly step forward, then another, her arms stretched out to help steady herself.

Tamara appeared behind her, scooping her up before she could stumble. "Alright, chaos crew," she said, hoisting Lena onto her hip. "Why are we attacking Mom and Dad at—" she glanced at the clock on the nightstand "—6:45 in the morning?"