Chapter 7 - Spring in the MansionThree months later, the cherry blossoms outside the Morrison estate were in full bloom, splashing the manicured lawns with vibrant shades of pink and white.
The heavy iron gates of the mansion, usually locked tight against the outside world, stood wide open. Inside, the grand living room was filled with the sound of laughter—genuine, uninhibited children’s laughter.
Kevin walked down the sweeping staircase, dressed casually in an open-collared linen shirt and slacks. The corporate shark who once lived inside tailored armor had vanished. In his place was a father who actually knew the names of his sons' favorite stuffed animals, who read bedtime stories every night, and who sat at the breakfast table every morning without checking his tablet every thirty seconds.
In the kitchen, Annie stood by the marble island, wearing a simple cotton apron, teaching Jordan and Justin how to roll out cookie dough. Flour dusted their noses, and giggles echoed off the high ceilings.
Kevin leaned against the doorframe, watching them. A warm, steady peace settled deep into his bones.
"Dad! Dad, look! I made a spaceship!" Justin yelled, holding up a misshapen lump of dough covered in chocolate chips.
"That's the best spaceship I've ever seen, buddy," Kevin said, walking over and kneeling beside his son, wiping a smudge of flour from the boy's cheek. Justin didn't flinch. Instead, he leaned into his father's touch, wrapping his sticky arms around Kevin's neck.
Jordan looked up from his dough, his green eyes shining with absolute security. "Annie said we're planting sunflowers in the garden tomorrow. Just like Mommy used to do."
Kevin looked across the island at Annie. She met his gaze, her dark eyes softening with a warmth that made his heart skip a beat. The tension of their first chaotic meeting in the hallway seemed like a lifetime ago.
"Sunflower seeds are already in the trunk of the car," Kevin said softly, holding her gaze. "I bought them yesterday."
Annie smiled, a radiant expression that transformed her face, making her look entirely at peace. "You're getting entirely too domestic, Mr. Morrison. Next thing I know, you'll be trading in your sports cars for a minivan."
"Don't push your luck, Reed," Kevin teased, a rare, genuine grin spreading across his face.
As the boys ran off toward the backyard to chase the family retriever, Annie turned back to wipe down the counter. Kevin stepped closer, closing the distance between them until he could smell the faint scent of vanilla and fresh rain that seemed to follow her everywhere.
"You know," Kevin said quietly, his voice dropping an octave, "you never did tell me what you're going to do now that Victoria is behind bars and the foundation has been cleared."
Annie paused, her hands resting on the marble counter. She turned to face him, her expression thoughtful. "I haven't really thought about it. I suppose I figured my job here was temporary—just until the boys learned how to sleep again."
Kevin reached out, gently catching her hand in his. His thumb brushed over her knuckles, feeling the slight calluses from years of hard work.
"They sleep just fine now," Kevin whispered, looking deep into her eyes. "And so do I. I don't want you to leave, Annie. This house... these boys... we need you. Not as a maid. Not as a nanny."
Annie’s breath hitched slightly, a rosy flush rising to her cheeks. "Kevin..."
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Before she could finish, the back door burst open and both twins came barreling back into the kitchen, shouting about a frog they had found by the fountain.
Kevin laughed, squeezing Annie’s hand before letting go with a wink. The door to the future was finally open, and for the first time in his life, he wasn't afraid of what was waiting on the other side.
