Third Person's POV
Abigail had clearly told her earlier that the twins were fast asleep.
"Hedwig, Daddy's not bullying Mommy. Actually, uh, Mommy got sand in her eye, and Daddy's blowing it out," Blake said, remarkably composed as he fabricated an excuse on the spot.
"Really? Mommy, how did you get sand in your eye? Is it serious?" Hedwig asked, her face etched with worry.
Catherine's cheeks flushed as she quickly rubbed her eye. "I was standing by the window and the wind blew sand in. Hedwig, why are you and your brother up? Did you trick Granny?"
Hedwig giggled. "We wanted to see Daddy, so we pretended to sleep!"
"You shouldn't do that. Granny would be so sad if she knew," Catherine said, her face stern as she gently reprimanded the children.
"Next time, remember to knock before entering, understand?" Blake said sternly to his son.
Noah pouted. "Got it, I'll knock next time so you two can prepare."
"Come on, Hedwig, let's get you two back to bed," Blake said, casting a helpless glance at Catherine before leading the children away.
After finally settling the energetic twins, Blake returned to the bedroom, rubbing his forehead in relief.
Catherine looked at him, and their eyes met across the room, both bursting into laughter.
"What a perfect night, ruined by them," Blake said, his voice tinged with mock regret, though he wasn't truly upset.
When soothing the children, he'd felt his daughter's small hand clinging to his arm, giving him a profound sense of being needed—a warm satisfaction.
Catherine rolled her eyes at him. "We're getting married soon. There'll be plenty of perfect nights ahead. No need to rush."
"Hearing that from you is music to my ears," Blake said as he approached her, gently brushing his fingers against her cheek. "Let's get some sleep. Our wedding day is just around the corner."
Catherine hummed in agreement, and they climbed into bed.
The next morning, after freshening up, Catherine emerged to see Blake lounging with one arm behind his head, lost in thought. He beckoned her with a finger, his voice lazy and deep from sleep.
"Why aren't you at the company?" Catherine asked, curious since he was usually eager to go to work at this hour.
"I'm taking the day off. I'll head in this afternoon, but I'm all yours until then," he replied, his tone relaxed and pleasant.
Catherine felt the urge to throw herself into his arms and stay there all morning.
"Maybe you should get dressed first. The kids might come in," she said, recalling her daughter's innocent remark from yesterday, which made her blush.
As if on cue, the bedroom door creaked open, and Hedwig's small head peeked in. With her waist-length hair unbrushed and wearing a pink mini nightie and bunny slippers, she looked adorably soft and pink.
"Is Daddy still sleeping?" she whispered.
Catherine swept her daughter into her arms. "Hedwig, you're up so early. Let me get you dressed, and then you can play with Daddy. He's taking the morning off."
From inside, Blake called out, "Hedwig, wait a sec. Daddy's just going to wash up!"
When Blake emerged, now in a robe, he quickly changed into a smart casual outfit—gray turtleneck and tailored dress pants—that made both women stare.
"Wow, Daddy's so handsome!" the little one exclaimed, her sense of aesthetics kicking in. She realized her dad was even more charming than her brother, whose aloofness couldn't match the warmth in Blake's eyes. She immediately reached for a hug.
Blake, not working today, had planned to take Catherine to see her wedding ring.
The twins, with nothing better to do, tagged along for the ride.
The family of four arrived at a high-end jewelry design company. In the VIP room, Catherine and the children gasped at the dazzling diamond ring displayed before them.
Catherine's lips parted in awe.
Blake watched her reaction closely, eager to see if she'd like it.
When he saw her eyes light up, he knew he'd made the right choice.
"Why is this diamond so small?" a childish voice cut through the moment, leaving Blake and Catherine momentarily stunned.
Silence.
His little princess apparently thought the diamond was too small.