Chapter 64

The warm hum of the afternoon filled the Hansley home. Sunlight streamed through the windows, casting warm rays onto the plush carpet where Ethan and Elara lay side by side sitting with their favorite toys. Stefani sat on the floor watching the twins babble in their own secret language as they reached out for colors blocks and stuffed animals with tiny hands.

Jacob was brewing coffee in the kitchen; his voice would filter through the occasional humming of a tune. It was one of those days—calm, peaceful, with so many quiet moments that make Stefani feel unbelievably fortunate.

Ethan was the more vocal of the two and was suddenly much louder; indeed, his lips were shaping something now that sounded more than just baby babble. Stefani immediately and completely attended to him. She leaned closer, her heart beating a little hard. Could this be it? Is he finally going to say his first word?

Ethan's chubby hands reached for the toy car, and with it held aloft in the