Reclaiming Magic

Chapter 15: Whispers in the Cabin

I knew I had to heal, to regain my strength, but worry gnawed at me. I thought about the triplets. They needed me, and I couldn’t afford to let fear consume me. Just as I gathered my resolve, I heard a low thud from outside, followed by a hush that settled around the cabin. My heart raced; instinct slashed through the warmth of the soup I had just eaten. I reached for a nearby blanket, wrapping it around my shoulders as the flickering firelight sparked shadows against the walls. “Dev? Alice?” I whispered, my voice trembling. The fear that had momentarily receded surged forth with renewed intensity. I breathed, forcing myself to remain calm. Waiting for an answer, I peeked outside through the shades that hung over the window. Just as I did, someone burst through the front door. “Did you say something?” Alice asked, worry laced I her tone. “What was that noise?” “I dropped a piece of wood. I was getting wood together for the fireplace.” She sent me a small smile as to say everything is okay. I didn’t feel okay. After what I had just went through, I feel like crawling into the small coset and never coming out. I probably would if it wasn’t for the triplets.

Three years had passed and although we have spent our time laughing, cuddling, and being intimate, we knew it couldn’t last forever. Alice had taken charge of the triplets, filling their days with laughter. They had grown accustomed to the rhythm of life at the cabin, their innocent joy a balm to the lingering shadows of fear. Dev had remained close, always ready to defend, always protective, and that had soothed the anxiety that still ebbed within me like an uninvited guest. As I sat by the flickering fire, the warmth lapped around me like a comforting embrace, I reflected on the past couple years. Dev had crafted a fortress of safety. We fortified the windows and created escape routes. The paranoia that had once driven me to the edges of fear, fizzled out, leaving behind a serene routine punctuated by moments of tenderness.

With a soft click, the front door creaked open, a breeze swirling in as Dev stepped inside, shaking off the chill of the evening air. His presence filled the room and I felt my heart race instinctively, a moth drawn to the familiar glow of his warmth. “Hey,” I said softly, a smile breaking across my face. “Hey.” He grinned back, setting down a small basket filled with firewood. The way the firelight played upon his features brought out the golden flecks in his dark eyes, making them shimmer with a mixture of mischief and warmth. “I thought I’d bring some extra wood for tonight. We might need it for a long evening by the fire.” “I appreciate it,” I replied, leaning back into the soft cushions of the couch. “It’ll be nice to relax for a little while.” I watched him as soon as he moved about the room, its familiarity wrapping around us like an old quilt stitched with our shared memories.

Dev glanced over his shoulder, his expression shifting slightly. “How are you feeling?” The questions was weighted, layered with concern that only made his presence even more comforting. “I’m good,” I reassured him. “The dinner Alice made was good. And just being here with you and the kids… it feels like a real home.” He turned fully towards me, crossing the room to sit on the edge of the coffee table facing me. “I can’t tell how important it is to see you happy.” He said, the seriousness in his tone drawing me closer. “You’ve been through so much.” “Dev,” I said softly, reaching for his hand. Our fingers intertwined effortlessly, a dance we had perfected over the years. “We made it through, together. That’s what matters.” His eyes dropped to our joined hands, a soft sigh escaping his lips. “You know, after everything… I realized how much I took for granted. The little moments. The quiet ones. Just… being with you.”

My heart swelled at his words, an ache that rooted deep within me. “I feel that too. I never want to lose this again,” I confessed, my voice a whisper filled with vulnerability. Dev looked up, his gaze locking onto mine with an intensity that made my breath hitch. “I don’t plan to let anything come between us,” he said firmly. “I’ve been thinking a lot about our future… about our kids.” A flutter of excitement ignited within me. W hadn’t discussed the ‘what’s next’ since our lives had taken such a turn a couple years ago. It felt as if we were only just beginning to breathe again. “Our future?” I repeated, intrigued. He nodded slowly, the corners of his mouth turning up into a soft smile. “Yeah. I want to build more than just a safety for you and the triplets. I want to create a life filled with laughter, adventure, and love.” He paused, his thumb tracing circles on the back of my hand. “I want us to grow, to thrive.”

I searched his eyes, wondering if he was truly sharing the extent of his dreams. “What do you envision?” I asked, the excitement bubbling beneath the surface. “More family dinners,” he said, his voice brightening. “Campsites under the starts. Days filled with laughter, and holidays where the kids can run wild.” His enthusiasm wrapped around me, filling the space between us. “And cozy nights like this?” I said, my heart racing as I leaned closer to him, lost in the warmth of his presence. “Absolutely,” Dev replied earnestly, his gaze unwavering. “Just you, me, and our chaos of kids.” The words ignited a warmth within me that I could hardly contain. “I’d love that,” I said, my voice trembling with emotion. “It sounds perfect.” He smiled, pulling me closer until I was perched on the edge of the couch, our knees barely touching, our breaths mingling in the space between us. “Kiss me,” I said eagerly, pulling him closer to where our faces are almost touching.

Dev puts his hand at the back of my neck and leans in a little more and kisses me softly on the lips. The longer we kiss, the harder the kisses get. He pulls back just long enough to take a breath, picks me up, carries me to the only bedroom in the cabin, and gently lays me on the bed. While he quietly shuts the door with his foot, trying not to wake the triplets up, he takes his shoes and shirt off. I lay back on the bed, waiting for him. He seductively crawls on top of me and gently kisses my lips. “I love you,” he says. As his kisses grow harder, I hungrily unbutton his pants and pull them down enough that he can pull his member out. I looked up at him. “I’m never letting you go.”