The morning sunlight filtered through the trees as I stood on the tarmac, watching Jasper disappear into his quarters. His acceptance of my proposal to co-claim Stella had filled me with a joy I hadn't expected—a sense of wholeness I'd nearly forgotten could exist.
"I love you both," he'd whispered before leaving, words that still echoed in my mind.
For the first time in years, I allowed myself to believe in the possibility of a real family—not just Stella and me against the world, but the three of us together.
---
Lyra Daniels hurried through the refugee medical tent, her white coat flapping behind her as she checked inventory against her clipboard. The makeshift facility had grown considerably in the past weeks, now housing over thirty beds and a small surgical unit. Refugees continued to pour into Silverholm daily, many requiring immediate medical attention.
"We're running low on antibiotics again," she muttered to herself, making a note. "And the blood supply—"
