Chapter 30
Theo
Daphne woke with a soft flutter in her chest, the kind of delicate stirring that happens when the world is still hazy between dreams and reality. The room was bathed in soft morning light, the air cool and fresh as it filtered through the curtains.
As her eyes slowly opened, she froze. The weight of Theo's body against hers was the first thing she registered. His face was nestled into the crook of her shoulder, his warm breath tickling her skin in slow, steady rhythms. His hand lay gently over her stomach, fingers splayed, the warmth of his touch seeping through the fabric of her shirt. She felt the faintest stir of heat in her body as his hand rested there, the sensation both comforting and electric.
His legs, long and strong, were pushed in between hers, his form curving around her as if instinctively drawn to her. She could feel every breath he took, each one brushing her neck with a soft caress. Daphne's pulse quickened in a way she couldn't explain. There was an intensity in the air, a quiet electricity that hummed beneath her skin, making every nerve feel alive, charged.
She lay still for a moment, unsure whether to move, unsure if she wanted to.
His face was relaxed against her shoulder, and for a moment, Daphne found herself lost in the steady rhythm of his breathing, feeling her own body syncing with it. Every tiny shift of his weight, every soft movement, made her breath catch slightly in her chest, as though she were aware of every inch of contact between them.
She couldn't help but notice how his hand fit so naturally against her stomach, how his body seemed to curve around her, as if it had always belonged there. She felt a strange warmth spreading through her chest. Daphne closed her eyes, taking in a slow, steadying breath, trying to ignore the way her pulse fluttered beneath her skin.
As Daphne lay still, feeling Theo's warmth pressed against her, she was startled by the soft murmur that slipped from his lips. At first, she thought he was waking up, but his breathing stayed steady, deep, as if lost in a dream.
Then she heard it again, a barely audible whisper that sent her pulse skittering.
"Daphne..." he murmured, his voice low and unguarded. Her name on his lips was soft, almost reverent, like a secret he hadn't meant to let slip. She held her breath, wondering if he would say it again, or if he was even aware of it.
But then, his hand shifted slightly on her stomach, his thumb brushing against her in a gentle, unconscious movement.
"Hmm," he mumbled, his voice thick with sleep.
Theo's hand, warm and steady, shifted ever so slightly against Daphne's stomach, his fingers spreading as if instinctively searching for something more solid, more familiar. He moved closer to her, the weight of his arm pressing her gently against him as he pulled her into the curve of his body. A soft, contented sigh escaped his lips, and Daphne felt his grip tighten.
Theo's fingers trailed from her stomach, tracing a slow, unconscious path along her side, his touch both delicate and possessive. Every brush of his fingertips sent a spark through her, and Daphne felt her breath catch as he held her even closer, his face nestling into the curve of her neck. She could feel the warmth of his breath against her skin, soft and steady, each exhale sending a ripple of shivers down her spine.
Theo's legs tangled with hers, his foot nudging hers with a lazy intimacy that made her heart race. She was acutely aware of the way he held her, the gentle yet firm way his hand settled at her waist as though she belonged there. The closeness was intoxicating, her senses flooded with the scent of him.
In that quiet stillness, Theo murmured something unintelligible, his hand squeezing her hip. Daphne closed her eyes and held her breath as Theo's hands began to trail up the side of her stomach once more. As his long fingers began to travel upwards, her shirt began to rise with it.
Daphne's heart thudded in her chest, her breath hitching as his fingertips brushed along her ribs, inching higher. She stayed still, caught between the thrill of the moment and the warmth that pooled within her.
Daphne's mind buzzed as Theo's hand lingered on her, his fingers brushing higher along her ribs, pushing up and up, fingers exploring her skin. Each touch making her heart race faster. She knew she was teetering on the edge of crossing a line, one she couldn't be sure she'd come back from. The soft, sleepy intimacy of his embrace, his steady breath against her shoulder, the weight of his handâit all tugged her further into a warmth that was dangerously inviting.
With a quiet, steadying breath, she pulled herself back, remembering where they stoodâor rather, where they'd agreed to stand. Gently, she eased herself from his grasp, slipping out of his arms and inching out of bed, careful not to disturb him. Theo murmured again, shifting slightly but settling back, oblivious to her departure.
Once she was out of bed, Daphne moved swiftly, padding across the room on her tiptoes, feeling the cold floor under her feet as a welcome shock back to reality. She slipped into the bathroom, her pulse still racing, and closed the door behind her with a quiet click. Leaning back against it, she exhaled a shaky breath, her hand pressed over her heart.
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Levi
Levi stepped out of his building, shoulders tense as he adjusted the buttons on his coat. The crisp air and morning bustle usually centered him, but today, his mind was elsewhere. His pace slowed as he caught sight of a familiar car parked just outside.
Levi's breath caught as he took in the sight of Evie leaning against her car. The morning sun draped her in a soft, golden light, making her hair glow like strands of honey, her skin luminous. She looked almost unreal, and for a few long seconds, he could do nothing but stare. The city noise faded around him, the usual rush of the morning replaced by a quiet awe that stilled him in place. Everything about her, from the effortless wave of her hair to the gentle sparkle in her eyes, captivated him, leaving him speechless.
Evie lifted her hand in a small wave, her expression both warm and a little teasing.
"Mr. President," she called out as he approached, her voice soft but carrying a note of mischief. "Why are you avoiding me?"
Levi managed a smile, clearing his throat as he closed the remaining distance between them. "I'm not avoiding you," he said, trying to sound casual.
Evie's smile turned into a small, knowing smirk. She tilted her head, studying him. "Could've fooled me," she replied, crossing her arms tighter. "You hardly spoke to me at Theo and Daphne's last night."
Levi opened his mouth to respond, but for a second, his words tangled. He hadn't meant to ignore her; he'd just been so thrown by seeing her there, looking so effortlessly beautiful, like she belonged at the center of every room. But Harry was beside her.
And much as Levi hated having to hold himself back, he knew he owed Evie and Harry a fair chance. Watching them together seemed to alwasy stirred something uneasy in him â a mix of frustration and something else he couldn't name. No matter how hard he tried, Levi could not shake the feeling that Harry was not the one for Evie.
But Levi made her a promise. When he'd promised he'd be happy for her, he'd meant it, or at least tried to. Levi knew he had to keep his word â no matter how much it hurt to watch from the sidelines.
"I was just... preoccupied," Levi said, hoping she'd accept the excuse.
Evie's expression softened, her teasing gaze flickering with something unreadable. She uncrossed her arms, leaning back against the car. "I don't like it when you ignore me like that, you know."
Levi shook his head, chuckling softly. "I could never ignore you."
Evie's gaze held his, a trace of hurt lingering beneath her playful tone. For a moment, the air between them felt heavier, like there was something unsaid, something both of them were skirting around. Levi's throat tightened as he tried to decide whether to speak, to voice the question that had been gnawing at him all night.
He hesitated, then, before he could second-guess himself, the words slipped out. "Are you happy with Harry?"
Evie blinked, taken aback by the question. Her expression softened, the teasing glint in her eyes fading as she considered his question. She shifted, looking away for a second as if gathering her thoughts. When she looked back, her smile was gentle but guarded.
"Of course," Evie said.
"I want to believe you, Evelyn," Levi said. "But why can't I believe you?"
Evie's smile faltered for just a moment, and her eyes flickered, avoiding his. It was subtle, but Levi caught it, the way she shifted uncomfortably. It wasn't like her to hesitate like that, not when it came to matters of the heart, not with him. And yet, here she was, clearly hiding something â a truth she wasn't ready to share.
He took a small step forward, his voice softer now but still carrying that edge of vulnerability. He reached out slowly and pushed back a gold strand of hair from her face.
"I can tell when you're not being honest with me," Levi said. "I've known you long enough."
Evie's lips pressed together, the warmth she usually wore slipping away. She wasn't meeting his eyes now, and Levi felt the silence stretch between them, thick with unspoken words. Her hands moved, fidgeting with the strap of her bag, as if she were trying to steady herself.
"I'm not hiding anything," she said too quickly, her voice trembling slightly as she pushed Levi's hand aside. The motion felt sharp, as if she were trying to create space between them, but the effort only made him more certain that something was off.
Levi's chest tightened as he watched her. He wanted to believe her, truly, but there was a subtle crack in her calm demeanor, a flicker of something she wasn't willing to face. Her eyes darted around, never fully meeting his, and the way she avoided his gaze tore at him. He could feel the tension building, each passing second adding weight to the silence between them.
"I think coming here was a mistake," Evie said slowly, her voice barely above a whisper.
"No," Levi shook his head, unable to take his eyes off of her. "It wasn't. You always come find me."
"Clearly, I need to stop," Evie frowned.
"Why?"
"Because you promised you would be happy for me."
"I'm trying, aren't I?" Levi asked. "Why more do you want from me?"
"I... I don't know," Evie said, the hesitation in her voice cutting through him. "Maybe... maybe stop questioning Harry and me so much?"
The words hit Levi like a punch to the gut, and he stood frozen, his mind spinning.
Stop questioning?
But he couldn't help it. Something felt wrong, something he couldn't quite put his finger on. He wanted to respect her decision, wanted to give her the space she needed, but the doubts were gnawing at him, making it hard to step back.
"I hate seeing you with him like this. I can't help it."
Evie's expression softened for a brief moment, but then she turned her face away, her breath shaky, "Sometimes, I just need you to trust me. Trust that I know what I'm doing."
Levi wanted to tell her everything â how much he worried, how much he hated seeing her with Harry, how much he feared she was making a mistake. But he couldn't say it. Not now. Not like this.
He stepped closer to her, his voice a whisper. "I just want you to be happy. But why do I get the feeling that you are not happy?"
"I am."
"Are you sure?"
"You sound like a broken tape recorder," Evie's eyes flickered with frustration, and she took a step back, her hand resting on the car door handle. She seemed ready to leave, to walk away from him once again, and Levi felt something inside him tighten â a sharp, aching pain, like he was being torn apart by the possibility of her absence. "You're not a lawyer yet. Stop badgering me with so many questions. I'm not a case you have to win."
"I don't want to fight," reaching out, Levi gently grasped her wrist, stopping her from leaving. "I'm sorry. But I can't just pretend everything's okay when I know it's not."
Evie's breath hitched, her eyes glistening with a mixture of frustration and something softer, almost like she was afraid to let him see the vulnerability she was hiding. She pulled her wrist away from his grip, but not in anger. In hesitation.
Levi's chest tightened as he looked at her, desperate to make her understand. "I don't want you to leave."
Evie's lips parted, but for a moment, she seemed unsure of what to say. She didn't look angry anymore. She looked torn â like she, too, was afraid of the distance that had been growing between them.
"You're not the only one who's scared, you know," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I don't want to lose you either. But sometimes, it feels like I'm drowning in all of this... all of us."
Levi took another step toward her. He tugged at her hand and moved her closer.
"I'm sorry," Levi said.
"Stop adding more stress onto my plate," Evie frowned. "Please."
"I just-"
"You want me to be happy, I know. But this is me being happy, Levi."
The air in Levi's lungs felt suffocating. He took in a deep breath and let it burn through his system. The muscles in his jaw clenched as he bit down all the arguments bubbling up inside of himself and nodded.
"Okay," he said.
"Thank you."
________________
Theo
The midday sun filtered softly through the trees, casting dappled light over the path. Theo had Reed on his shoulders, the little boy giggling as he held on tightly, wide-eyed at the giraffes just a few feet away. Daphne walked beside them, pushing Sara in her stroller while sipping hot chocolate, her breath visible in the cool autumn air.
"I was worried you were going to wear heels today," Theo remarked, glancing down at Daphne's practical ankle boots.
Daphne shot him a playful smile. "I was worried you were going to show up in a suit," she teased, tilting her head toward his casual hoodie and jeans. "Don't you think he would've matched the penguins, Reed?"
Reed giggled, his eyes lighting up. "Teddy will waddle! Like a big, fat penguin!"
Theo feigned offense, scrunching up his nose. "Fat? I'll have you know, young man, I was at the gym at five this morning while you were still busy wetting the bed."
Reed squealed with laughter as Theo playfully tickled him, then lifted him off his shoulders and set him down on the path. Keeping a firm hold on his hand, Theo leaned down with a grin. "What's next? Reptiles?"
"Ew, no," Daphne interjected, wrinkling her nose. "Sara and I will wait outside."
"To the dinosaurs!" Reed proclaimed, lifting his arms like a tiny T-Rex.
Theo laughed. "There are no dinos here, Reed. But we can see some big, scaly reptiles if you're brave enough."
Daphne leaned over the stroller, giving Sara a smile. "Looks like it's just you and me, sweet baby."
As Theo led Reed toward the reptile exhibit, Daphne trailed behind, watching him from a few steps back. There was something about the way he held Reed's hand, the easy way he laughed with the boy, that caught her off guard. It felt warm and effortless.
They wandered through the winding zoo paths, taking their time with each exhibit as Reed and Sara took in the sights and sounds around them. Theo had Reed perched on his shoulders again, and Daphne held Sara's hand, pointing out each new animal with animated gestures that made the little girl giggle.
Stopping at the flamingo pond, Sara pointed excitedly, her little face lighting up. Daphne leaned down, her arm around Sara as they watched the pink birds move elegantly through the water.
"Think they'd let me take one of these home?" Daphne whispered to Sara, a glimmer of mischief in her eyes.
"I'll talk to the zookeeper," Theo said, matching her tone with a smirk. "Although I'm not sure how it'll fit in your tiny apartment."
Daphne rolled her eyes as Theo reached over, brushing a leaf from her shoulder. His hand lingering a little longer than necessary before they moved on.
Finally, as the kids began to grow tired and cranky, they made their way to the zoo's café. Theo steered them to a table by the window and helped them settle in before taking Reed up to the counter to order. Daphne watched them as she pulled out the fruits Emma had packed for the kids.
"Apples or grapes, my love?" She asked Sara.
Sara smiled and cooed, pointing to the apples.
"Good choice," Daphne opened the bag and handed the little girl a slice.
After a few more minutes of just them, Theo and Reed returned to the table. Theo carried a tray of fries, nuggets, and burgers, while Reed grinned excitedly, holding a drink in his small hand. Reed practically skipped to the table, his eyes wide with anticipation.
"Look, Mommy!" Reed shouted before blinking in surprise at his slip and laughing. "I mean Daphne."
"You silly goose," Daphne chuckled and reached for the tray, smiling at Reed's enthusiasm. "That's a lot of fries," she teased, setting it down in front of him.
Theo slipped into the chair beside her, his eyes flicking to Daphne with a soft, affectionate smile. He watched her as she cut up some of the nuggets for Sara, her movements precise and tender, as if everything she did came naturally.
Theo's gaze softened, admiring the way she interacted with the kids. There was something effortlessly warm and caring in the way she fed Sara, holding a piece of fruit up to the little girl's lips. She did it with such a quiet grace, brushing Sara's hair back from her face and speaking in soft, soothing tones as if the whole world had faded away, leaving just the two of them in that sweet little bubble. It struck Theo in a way he wasn't quite prepared forâhow Daphne was with children, how effortlessly nurturing and kind she was.
"Are you having a good day, Reed?" Daphne asked the little boy as she pushed his hair back.
"Yeah," Reed nodded, nugget in on hand and his juice in the other.
"What should we do next?" Daphne asked.
"Mommy said there's a carousel," Reed's sat up and waved with his hands. "It's huge and you can sit on bugs."
"Ooo, that sounds fun," Daphne nodded. "We can try that. But after the butterfly garden." As Daphne and Reed talked, Theo watched her pick up a fry and nibble on the end absentmindedly. He noticed how she was slowly chewing, but her gaze was distant, her attention focused more on Sara and Reed than on her own meal. His brow furrowed slightly as he observed her, his mind racing through the details. She had barely touched the rest of the food on her plate.
"I want to see the alligators," Reed announced. "And the brown bears."
"Will you be okay to walk that much?" Daphne asked.
"Teddy can carry me."
"Right," Daphne laughed, her eyes flickering toward Theo. She felt her cheeks blush when she realized he was already looking at her. "What?"
"Do you want kids?"
Daphne blinked, momentarily taken aback. The question hung in the air between them, catching her off guard, and her heart skipped a beat as her mind scrambled to respond.
She looked at Theo, a slight flush creeping up her neck. He was still watching her, his gaze steady and thoughtful, his expression unreadable. It wasn't like him to ask something so personal so suddenly.
Daphne hesitated, glancing down at Sara, who was busy trying to grab a piece of fruit from her plate, and then at Reed, who was excitedly pointing toward the alligator exhibit. She felt a soft warmth stir in her chest, a protective feeling she hadn't really allowed herself to acknowledge before.
"Yes," Daphne nodded, wiping the ketchup off Reed's cheek.
"A boy or a girl?" Theo raised an eyebrow slightly, his gaze still gentle but searching, like he was trying to gauge her reaction.
"I don't really have a preference," Daphne shrugged. "But baby girl clothes are so much cuter than boy ones sometimes."
Theo smiled, "A little Daphne."
"Yep," Daphne laughed, her heart beating faster and faster under Theo's gaze.
"I bet she'll take after you," he said. "Your eyes, your smile, your nose."
Daphne's chest tightened.
"I can see it," Theo said. "Can you?"
Daphne nodded, swallowing.
"She's beautiful, isn't she?"
"She is," Daphne said quietly unable to look away from Theo's eyes.
"What will you say to her after her first heart break?"
Daphne's eyes widened slightly, "Oh boy...... I...I don't know. Maybe that it'll all be okay and that she will find someone better."
"What about when she get's into her dream school?" Theo smiled.
"I'm so proud of her and that she is going to kill it."
"Hmm," Theo nodded. "What about when she stops eating the lunches you pack for her?"
The smile on daphne's lips faltered. She felt her beating heart come to a halt as Theo pinned her to the center of his attention.
"What will you say to her if she pushes her food around on her plate to make it look like she ate?"
Daphne's chest tightened and her throat began to burn.
"Or when she doesn't want to eat lunch because she drank hot chocolate?" Theo's eyes shifted to Daphne's plate.
Daphne felt the weight of Theo's words settle over her, each question peeling back a layer of her carefully guarded world. His gaze was no longer lightheartedâit was intent, full of a depth she hadn't anticipated. For a moment, she couldn't find her voice, the words sticking in her throat as she grappled with how much he could see, how much he seemed to understand without her ever saying a word.
She inhaled slowly, her fingers toying with a napkin as if it could ground her. "I... I guess I'd tell her that sometimes, it's okay to take things slowly. That she doesn't have to do everything perfectly." Her voice was soft, trembling, and she could feel Theo's eyes on her, studying her every reaction.
Theo didn't respond right away. Instead, he reached across the table, his hand hovering just above hers before gently resting on it, his thumb tracing small circles. "And would you tell her that she's more than enough, just as she is?" he asked softly, his voice barely more than a murmur.
Daphne swallowed, feeling the burn in her throat intensify, her vision blurring slightly as the words hit her with a force she hadn't expected. She knew he wasn't really talking about the hypothetical daughter they were imagining. He was talking about her.
"Yeah," she whispered, blinking away the moisture gathering in her eyes, "I would tell her that." Her voice was barely audible, and she couldn't help but look down, focusing on the warmth of Theo's hand over hers, steady and unyielding.
They sat in silence for a moment, a quiet, intimate understanding passing between them. She could feel her own barriers softening, the ones she'd built so high and so carefully. Theo's gaze was still on her, but there was no judgment in his eyes, only quiet compassion that made her heartache.
Finally, she looked up at him, managing a small smile. She picked up a nugget and took a bite.
He smiled, squeezing her hand gently. His gaze lingered on her in a way that made her feel both vulnerable and safe at once.
"Can we go see the alligators now?" Reed asked, pulling Daphne and Theo's attention back.
"We're not moving from here until everyone has finished their lunch," Theo declared. "You still have your berries left."
Daphne smiled as she took another bite of her food. She watched Theo lean back in his seat and give her a playful wink.
"Ready for California this weekend?" He asked.
"Yeah," Daphne nodded, putting down her burger.
"You're going to finish that, right?"
"Yes, yes," Daphne nodded.
Theo looked unconvinced for a split second but didn't push it, "Ava and James invited us to go skiing with them after Thanksgiving. Evie and Harry will be there and Lily wants to come along too."
"I'm not much of a skier," Daphne scrunched up her nose.
"Aspen has a very neat collection of bouquets and spas," Theo smiled.
"I was planning on visiting my parents for Thanksgiving."
"Thanksgiving is one day," Theo said. "We're leaving for Aspen the day after."
"I don't want to go home for just one day."
"You know I can't go without you," Theo frowned.
"I trust you to behave yourself around Ava," Daphne rolled her eyes. "You'll be fine."
"I'll pay you for overtime," Theo threw out.
Daphne shook her head, "I don't work holidays."
"It's not in your contract," Theo pointed out.
"You can't be serious right now," Daphne frowned. "I'm going to go see my family for Thanksgiving."
"Invite them to Aspen with us for the weekend."
"Are you crazy? No." Daphne's brows knit. "Why don't you say no to Ava? Why do you have to go everywhere she goes? It's like you're obsessed with her."
"It's a group trip. It's going to look strange if I show up without you."
"I'm sorry, but I can't help you with that," Daphne said. "I'm going to my parents."
"Daphne-"
"Are you guys fighting?" Reed asked, his little voice curious and unsure.
"No," Daphne tore her eyes away from Theo and looked at Reed. "No, buddy. We're not fighting. Teddy is just being mean right now."
"I am no," Theo's eyes widened. "Don't tell the kid that."
"My mommy cries when daddy is mean to her," Reed said. "Don't cry, Daphne."
"I'm not going to cry, sweetheart," Daphne kissed the boy's outstretched hand. "Teddy can't make me cry."
"We'll talk about this later," Theo's frown deepened. "Let's go see the alligators."
Do you think Evie is hiding something? And will Daphne go to Aspen?