One Year Later
The Wolfe household hadn't lost its warmth—it had only grown louder. Liora was running around barefoot with a tutu over her pajamas, her wild curls bouncing. Elio, ever the quieter twin, sat focused on his toy blocks in the corner, occasionally glancing up to check that his sister hadn't knocked something over.
In the kitchen, Zayden moved like clockwork. Morning bottles, vitamins, food prep, laundry—everything was under control. His beard was a little thicker, his eyes held new lines, but his arms were strong, and his heart beat with purpose.
And that purpose was her.
Elena.
She sat curled up on the living room couch, a thick blanket around her small frame. Her skin had grown paler over the months, her body frailer, but her smile—God, her smile still had the power to silence storms.
Zayden brought her a cup of warm tea, kneeling beside her like he always did.
"Too much sugar?" he asked gently, brushing a lock of hair from her face.
Elena took a sip, then leaned her head on his shoulder. "Just perfect. Like you."
He forced a small smile, masking the pain that twisted in his gut every time he looked at her.
They had known for months now—since the moment the doctors confirmed it.
A rare degenerative condition. Silent. Aggressive. Terminal.
No cure.
And Elena had… a month. Maybe.
---
The twins toddled over, both climbing into their mother's lap. Elio curled into her side while Liora tugged gently at her hair.
"Momma, you sleepy?" Liora asked, eyes wide with concern.
"No, baby. Just resting."
Zayden crouched next to them and kissed Liora's cheek. "Let Mommy rest with cuddles, okay?"
He scooped Elio into his arms and kissed the boy's temple. "Want to help Daddy fold the laundry like superheroes?"
Elio nodded solemnly.
Elena watched them disappear down the hall and felt tears sting her eyes. She turned to see Zayden glance back just once—and in that glance, she saw it all: his love, his grief, his strength.
---
Later that night, after the twins had fallen asleep in Zayden's arms, he tucked them into bed and came to her.
She was already lying down, waiting for him.
He slid beside her, pulling her into his chest. "You're cold."
She shook her head. "I'm not. You warm me up."
Silence hung between them, soft and sacred.
"I'm scared," she whispered, her voice cracking.
Zayden tightened his arms around her. "I know. But I'm not letting go. Not until the very last moment. And even then—I'll still be holding you."
A tear slipped down her cheek. "I don't want them to forget me."
"They won't." His voice trembled. "I'll make sure of it. I'll tell them about the way your laugh could light up rooms. How you made pancakes shaped like stars. How strong you were… even when your body was failing."
Elena turned in his arms to look into his eyes. "Promise me… you'll still smile after I'm gone."
He inhaled sharply, fighting the sob rising in his throat. "I'll try. For them. For you."
She touched his face, thumb brushing away his tear. "You've always been my safest place, Zayden Wolfe."
"And you," he whispered, kissing her knuckles, "have always been my heart."