13. Bella #4
“I was hoping you’d say that,” Adrian says, smiling. “I want this to be a joint effort. Our foundation. Our legacy.”
“I love that,” I say, reaching across the table to squeeze his hand. “Let’s do it.”
The foundation becomes a passion project for both of us. We spend months planning, researching, building partnerships with legal aid organizations and victim advocacy groups.
It’s fulfilling work, and it feels good to be making a difference. To be helping people who are going through what I went through.
And through it all, Sophia is there - growing, learning, filling our lives with joy.
One evening, about six months after we launch the foundation, we’re at a fundraising gala. I’m wearing a stunning emerald green dress, and Adrian is in a tuxedo, looking devastatingly handsome.
“You look beautiful,” he murmurs in my ear as we’re dancing.
“You look pretty good yourself,” I say, smiling up at him.
“I’m the luckiest man in the world,” Adrian says, pulling me closer. “I get to dance with the most beautiful woman in the room, and I get to go home with her at the end of the night.”
“Smooth talker,” I tease, but I’m blushing.
“It’s the truth,” Adrian says, his eyes serious. “Every day with you is a gift, Bella. Every single day.”
As the gala winds down, we say our goodbyes and head home. Sarah has been watching Sophia, and when we arrive, we find them both asleep on the couch - Sarah with Sophia curled up on her chest.
“They’re adorable,” I whisper to Adrian.
“They are,” Adrian agrees, carefully lifting Sophia without waking her.
I gently shake Sarah awake. “Hey, we’re home.”
Sarah blinks sleepily. “Oh, hey. How was the gala?”
“It was great,” I say. “We raised over two million dollars.”
“That’s amazing,” Sarah says, sitting up. “I’m so proud of you guys.”
“Thank you for watching Sophia,” I say, hugging her. “You’re the best.”
“Anytime,” Sarah says, hugging me back. “You know I love spending time with her.”
After Sarah leaves, Adrian and I put Sophia to bed and then collapse on the couch, exhausted but happy.
“That was a good night,” Adrian says, pulling me against his side.
“It was,” I agree. “I’m so proud of what we’re building with the foundation.”
“Me too,” Adrian says. “It feels good to be making a difference.”
“It does,” I say, tilting my head up to look at him. “You’re a good man, Adrian Sterling.”
“I try,” Adrian says, kissing my forehead. “For you and Sophia, I try to be the best man I can be.”
“You are,” I assure him. “You really are.”
As the months turn into years, our life continues to evolve and grow. Sophia starts preschool, and she loves it. She makes friends, learns new things, comes home every day with stories and artwork and endless energy.
The foundation thrives, helping hundreds of people navigate the aftermath of corporate fraud and financial crimes. We hire a full-time staff, open an office, expand our services.
And through it all, Adrian and I grow closer. Our love deepens, matures, becomes something solid and unshakeable.
We have our challenges, of course. Sleepless nights when Sophia is sick. Disagreements about parenting styles. The stress of balancing work and family.
But we face everything together. We communicate, we compromise, we support each other.
We’re a team. A partnership. A family.
One evening, when Sophia is three years old, I’m tucking her into bed when she asks me a question that catches me off guard.
“Mama, do you have a daddy?”
I pause, thinking about how to answer. “I did,” I say carefully. “But he’s not around anymore.”
“Why not?” Sophia asks, her big eyes curious.
“Sometimes people go away,” I say, smoothing her hair back. “But that’s okay, because I have you and Daddy, and that’s all I need.”
“And I have you and Daddy,” Sophia says, smiling. “We’re a family.”
“That’s right,” I say, kissing her forehead. “We’re a family. And we love each other very much.”
“I love you, Mama,” Sophia says, yawning.
“I love you too, sweet girl,” I say, turning off the light. “Sweet dreams.”
When I come out of Sophia’s room, I find Adrian waiting in the hallway.
“You okay?” he asks, pulling me into his arms.
“Yeah,” I say, resting my head on his chest. “She asked about my father.”
“What did you tell her?” Adrian asks.
“That he’s not around anymore,” I say. “I didn’t want to get into the whole story. She’s too young.”
“She’ll understand when she’s older,” Adrian says, kissing the top of my head. “And she’ll understand that family isn’t just about blood. It’s about love and commitment and showing up every day.”
“You’re right,” I say, looking up at him. “And you show up every day, Adrian. For me and for Sophia. You’re the best father and husband I could ever ask for.”
“I’m just doing what comes naturally,” Adrian says, smiling. “Loving you and Sophia is the easiest thing I’ve ever done.”
A few months later, I find out I’m pregnant again. I take the test early one morning while Adrian is still asleep, and when I see the positive result, I can barely contain my excitement.
I wake Adrian up by kissing him, and he blinks sleepily at me.
“What’s going on?” he asks, his voice rough with sleep.
“I have something to tell you,” I say, unable to keep the smile off my face.
Adrian sits up, suddenly alert. “What is it?”
I hand him the pregnancy test, and I watch as understanding dawns on his face.
“You’re pregnant?” he asks, his voice full of wonder.
“I’m pregnant,” I confirm, laughing as tears stream down my face.
Adrian pulls me into his arms, holding me tight. “This is amazing. This is incredible. I love you so much, Bella.”
“I love you too,” I say, crying happy tears into his shoulder.
We tell Sophia a few weeks later, after the first ultrasound confirms that everything is healthy.
“Sophia, sweetie, we have some exciting news,” I say, sitting down with her on the couch.
“What is it?” Sophia asks, looking between me and Adrian.
“You’re going to be a big sister,” Adrian says, smiling. “Mama has a baby in her tummy.”
Sophia’s eyes go wide. “Really?”
“Really,” I say, taking her hand and placing it on my still-flat stomach. “In a few months, you’ll have a little brother or sister.”
“Can I help take care of the baby?” Sophia asks excitedly.
“Of course,” Adrian says, ruffling her hair. “You’re going to be the best big sister ever.”
Sophia beams, and I feel my heart swell with love.
The pregnancy is easier this time around. I know what to expect, and I’m not as anxious. Adrian is even more attentive than he was with Sophia, constantly making sure I’m comfortable and taken care of.
“You’re going to spoil me,” I tell him one evening as he’s rubbing my feet.
“That’s the plan,” Adrian says, smiling. “You’re growing our child. The least I can do is rub your feet.”
“I love you,” I say, feeling overwhelmed with emotion.
“I love you too,” Adrian says, leaning forward to kiss me. “Always.”
Our son, Alexander James Sterling, is born on a beautiful spring morning. He’s healthy and perfect, with Adrian’s dark hair and my eyes.
Sophia is immediately smitten with her baby brother, insisting on helping with everything from diaper changes to bath time.
“He’s so little,” she says, gently touching Alexander’s tiny hand. “I’m going to protect him forever.”
“I know you will,” I say, kissing the top of her head. “You’re already an amazing big sister.”
With two children, life becomes even more chaotic. But it’s a beautiful chaos - full of laughter and love and moments that take my breath away.
Like watching Sophia read to Alexander, her voice soft and patient.
Like seeing Adrian hold both of our children, one in each arm, his face full of love and pride.
Like the quiet moments late at night when Alexander is nursing and Sophia is asleep and Adrian is beside me, his hand on my knee, and I realize that this - this right here - is everything I ever wanted.
One evening, when Alexander is six months old, Adrian and I are sitting on the terrace after the kids are asleep. The city is lit up below us, and the stars are just starting to appear in the darkening sky.
“Do you remember what you said to me the night before Marcus’s trial?” Adrian asks suddenly.
I think back. “I said a lot of things that night.”
“You said that what started as revenge ended with you finding happiness,” Adrian says, turning to look at me. “Do you still feel that way?”
“More than ever,” I say honestly. “Adrian, you gave me everything. A career, a family, a life I never dreamed possible. You gave me happiness when I thought I’d never be happy again.”
“You gave me the same thing,” Adrian says, taking my hand. “Before you, I was just existing. Going through the motions. But you taught me how to really live. How to love. How to be happy.”
“We saved each other,” I say softly.
“We did,” Adrian agrees. “And I’m grateful for it every single day.”