27. Rayna

CHAPTER 27

Rayna

T he breeze blows softly through my hair as I sit by the lake. I inhale deeply letting the peacefulness of the trip settle in me. When I first arrived in Curiosity with a baby in one hand and a suitcase in the other, standing in front of Ashley's house, I would have never thought that this is where the journey would lead us.

Thinking back to those first few days highlights how far we've come as a family. We've gone through it all, the hesitation, the trust, the struggles of coming together, neither Janta nor I the least bit prepared to be parents. But we did it, and are continuing to excel, despite our initial hesitations and fears.

All of that has evolved into a bond I feel deep in my soul. Who would have known the grumpy orc neighbor was the missing piece to mine and Lily's lives? The transformation we've undergone fills me with gratitude for Janta and the way he stepped up for his daughter and opened his heart to me in the process.

"What are you doing out here?" Janta's gruff voice breaks through the loudness of my thoughts.

I turn with a smile, to see him standing on the porch. My heart flutters as I feel my smile reach my eyes. Lily is crawling at his feet, and he bends down, scooping her up and over his head. She lets out a squeal that warms my heart.

"Just thinking about us," I say, my smile still in place. Janta meets my eyes and the warmth of my feelings for him spreads through me.

Janta walks towards me, still holding Lily in his arms. He sits down next to me, and Lily reaches for my face, her chubby fingers grabbing my hair. I laugh as I gently untangle her hand.

"What about us are you thinking of?" Janta asks, his voice softer now.

"Just how grateful I am for you and Lily," I say, looking into his eyes. "I never thought I would have this kind of family, but I wouldn't trade it for anything." The warmth that exists between us is reflected to me in the amber of Janta's eyes. I hold his gaze for a moment as my feelings for him seem to grow in this single space of time.

Janta's expression softens, and he leans in, pressing his lips to mine. Lily giggles and squirms in his arms, trying to get in on the action. We both laugh, pulling away and looking at our daughter as he sets her down.

"I never thought I would be a father," Janta says, his voice filled with emotion. "But I'm so glad I have you and Lily."

My heart swells with love for this man who has become my partner in every sense of the word.

I watch as Lily plays in the grassy area at our feet, her laughter filling the air. The sun is setting, casting a warm golden hue over everything. I'm so grateful to have Janta and Lily in my life. Who would have thought that the grumpy orc neighbor would turn out to be the missing piece to our family?

My heart swells with love as I observe Janta with Lily. He's so patient and attentive with her, always ready to play or comfort her when she needs it. I never would have guessed that the gruff orc who had initially intimidated me could be such a loving and caring father.

As Lily crawls towards a small pile of rocks, Janta kisses me on my head as he leans over Lily. He scoops her up and swings her around, eliciting peals of laughter from the baby. I can't help but smile at the sight of them, feeling grateful for this unexpected turn of events.

He holds her on his hip, pointing across the water with a smile. His loud laughter fills the air as she squirms in his hold, trying to get back to the ground. He sets her down with a smile, watching as her chubby hands explore the environment around her.

I steal glances at Janta as he plays with Lily, noticing the way his muscles ripple under his shirt and the way his eyes light up when he looks at his daughter. A warmth spreads through me, and I realize that I'm still falling in love with him. It's not just his physical appearance that attracts me, though. It's his kindness, his thoughtfulness, and his willingness to take on the responsibility of fatherhood without hesitation.

My mind drifts back to our early days together, when we were still trying to figure out our dynamic as co-parents. It wasn't always easy, and there were times when I wanted to give up. But Janta never wavered in his commitment to Lily, and he always found a way to make things work.

As I watch Janta play with Lily, my thoughts turn to the future. I start to dream about the life we could build together. I imagine family vacations to exotic locations, holiday traditions, and cozy nights by the fire. The idea of expanding our family no longer seems so daunting with Janta by my side.

I know that our relationship hasn't been perfect, and there have been challenges along the way. But I also know that we have grown stronger because of them. Janta's nurturing side has come out in ways I never could have imagined, and I love seeing him interact with Lily.

I think about the way he calms her down when she's upset, the way he holds her and rocks her until she falls asleep. I think about the way he makes her laugh, the sound of her giggles filling the room. It's a side of him I never would have seen if we hadn't become a family.

I know that there will be challenges ahead, but I also know that we can face them together. With Janta by my side, I feel like anything is possible.

I start to make plans in my head, thinking about the things we can do together as a family. I imagine picnics in the park, trips to the zoo, and days spent exploring the city. I even start to think about the possibility of buying a house together, a place where we can put down roots and create a real home for our family.

The breeze blows around us, a cool respite from the warmth in the air. I glance over at my family and am startled.

I notice Lily starting to slow down. She's playing and giggling with Janta still, but she looks a little spacey. Suddenly, I notice that she's not her usual bubbly self. She's quiet and her cheeks are flushed.

I sit up and crouch next to her as my heart nervously picks up speed.

"Janta, I think something's wrong with Lily," I say, my voice filled with worry.

I pick up Lily and feel her forehead. "She's burning up," I say, my heart racing.

"Let's get her out of the heat," he says, scooping her up in his arms.

We rush to the back of the lakehouse, where it's cooler, and lay Lily down on a cot. Janta springs into action, grabbing a wet cloth and placing it on Lily's forehead while I undress her and apply another cool compress to her body.

We take turns holding her, trying to soothe her as her fever rages on. It's a difficult time, but we work together as a team, never losing patience or getting frustrated with each other.

Finally, Lily's fever starts to break, and she falls asleep in my arms. I look up at Janta and see the exhaustion on his face. But there's also a look of determination and love that makes my heart swell.

"Thank you," I say, my voice thick with emotion.

He smiles at me, his eyes filled with warmth. "We're in this together, Rayna. Always."

This crisis has tested our patience and resilience, but we've come out stronger on the other side. Each challenge we overcome together makes me feel more secure and loved in our relationship. I know that no matter what happens in the future, Janta and I will always be able to handle it as a team.

As we settle back into our routine, I find myself feeling more confident in our relationship than ever before. The way Janta and I worked together to care for Lily during her illness showed me just how strong our bond truly is.

I know that our relationship hasn't always been easy, and there will undoubtedly be challenges ahead. But I also know that together, we can face anything. Janta's unwavering commitment to our family and his willingness to put in the work to make our relationship thrive have shown me that he's the one I want to spend my life with.

As I watch him with Lily, I feel a sense of certainty in my heart. I'm ready to fully commit to Janta, to build a future filled with love, joy, and shared dreams. I know that it won't always be easy, but I also know that it will be worth it.

The next morning on our last day at the cabin, I walk over to where they're playing and scoop Lily up in my arms. Janta looks up at me, his eyes filled with warmth and affection.

"What are you thinking about?" he asks, his voice low and husky.

"Just how lucky I am to have you both," I say, smiling down at Lily.

Janta stands up and wraps his arms around us, pulling us close. I feel a sense of contentment wash over me, knowing that I'm exactly where I'm meant to be.

Together, we can face whatever challenges come our way. And I know that with Janta by my side, my future is bright and full of love.