49 | ☕ Double Trouble and Wedding Hustle ☕ #3
Kaia put a hand over her heart in mock offense. "Me? Never. I'm just here to support you. And maybe, just maybe, suggest a few things." Her grin was so wide that it practically threatened to split her face in two.
Atlas gave her a pointed look, his gaze narrowing in suspicion. Sighing deeply, he rolled his shoulders, trying to release some of the tension before he finally reached for one of the cupcakes. He was too tired to keep fighting it. "Fine," he signed, clearly reluctant. "What's your idea?"
Kaia's eyes sparkled as she sat down across from him, the wheels in her head visibly turning. She leaned in a little, as though sharing a well-kept secret. "Vintage lace."
Atlas froze. The room seemed to fall silent for a beat as his brain processed the words. The cupcakes, Kaia's grin, everything else faded away, and all he could focus on was lace.
Kaia held up her hands in mock surrender, grinning even more widely. "I'm just saying, the theme already has that soft, romantic vibe, right? And lace is timeless. It'll work perfectly with everything else you've chosen."
Atlas stared at her, as though she'd just suggested they host the entire wedding on the moon. "No lace," he signed firmly, crossing his arms over his chest.
Kaia raised an eyebrow, her grin never faltering. "Trust me. I know Anya, and she'll love it." Her tone was matter-of-fact, like she was stating the obvious, and it only made Atlas want to resist it even more.
Atlas rubbed his forehead in frustration, debating internally.
This wasn't what he'd envisioned for their wedding.
He'd imagined something simple and elegant, with clean lines and no unnecessary frills.
Lace wasn't part of that vision. But in the back of his mind, he knew Kaia was probably right.
Anya did have a soft spot for things that were simple, yet intricate.
And vintage lace? It did have that old-world charm he couldn't deny.
After a long moment of silence, Atlas sighed heavily and nodded reluctantly. "Fine," he signed, a begrudging acceptance in his gaze. "Lace. Just one detail." His voice was half resigned, half amused.
Kaia bounced in her seat, clapping her hands like she'd just won a game of chess.
Anya was finally sitting down on the couch, wrapped in a soft throw blanket.
She had finally managed to get both Zion and Colette to settle, which felt like an Olympic event in itself.
Zion had passed out mid-wail, his tiny face still scrunched up in indignation even as he drifted off to sleep.
Colette, on the other hand, was a model baby, her gentle snores the only noise in the otherwise quiet room.
Anya's body ached, every muscle from her arms to her back sore from the constant motion of caring for the twins. But she'd take it. She'd take everything for them. Her gaze flicked to the clock on the wall.
"Where is he, and why do I miss him more now than when he was in the same room?" she murmured to herself. It had only been a few hours since Atlas left, but it felt like much longer.
As if the universe had heard her, her phone buzzed on the coffee table. She reached for it, half-expecting a work update or some notification. Instead, it was a message from Atlas:
Anya smiled to herself, her heart swelling with affection. He knew exactly what she needed without her even saying a word.
Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, and for a moment, she considered typing something witty back. But instead, she just replied with the most honest sentiment that came to mind:
"Thank you. I miss you."
Later that evening, the sound of keys jingling at the door broke Anya's train of thought. Her heart skipped a beat as the door creaked open, and there he was—Atlas, standing in the doorway, arms full of takeout bags and coffee cups.
"I come bearing gifts," he signed with a playful grin, his eyes lighting up when they locked onto her on the couch.
Anya chuckled softly, sitting up as he stepped inside. "Reinforcements, huh?"
"Surprisingly well," she admitted, her voice warm with the quiet contentment of his return. "I miss you more than I thought I would, though." She glanced over at the twins, who were still peacefully asleep. "It's so quiet in here when you're not around."
Atlas took a seat beside her, carefully pulling out a steaming cup of coffee from one of the bags.
"Well, I'm back now," he signed, handing her the cup with a gentle smile.
"I brought food, and the most important thing of all—coffee."
He settled in beside her, his presence soothing, like a weight lifted from her shoulders.
"I think we both deserve a moment to just... breathe."
Anya gratefully accepted the coffee, feeling the warmth spread through her fingers. She closed her eyes for a moment, savouring the comfort of the simple gesture. "You're always so good at knowing what I need," she said softly, her voice laced with affection.
Atlas shrugged, but his eyes were tender as he glanced down at his hands. "I just know you," he signed. "And I can see it, even when you're trying to hide it."
She leaned her head on his shoulder, her body instinctively seeking out the familiar comfort of his presence. It was like coming home—like a missing piece falling into place.
"Thank you," she whispered, her voice a little raw, barely above a breath. She didn't have the words for everything she was feeling in that moment. But she hoped he could hear it in the depth of her gratitude.
Atlas's arm wrapped around her, pulling her closer, his touch warm and steady. His fingers brushed against her hand as he signed, "Always," his expression soft and full of quiet promise.