Rebirth: Love me Again

"We haven't even cleared him medically," Dante said, arms folded like a disappointed physician. "No lab work, no stress test, not even a basic hygiene inspection. What if he drags you off to live somewhere with moldy ceilings and poor air circulation? Do you want your immune system compromised for love?" His tone was deadly serious, but the rest of us could barely hold in our laughter.

Then there was Dad, who tried to look calm but was clearly struggling. "I raised you to ride bikes and avoid suspicious-looking boys—not to run off and marry one," he grumbled. "At the very least, beat me at chess before you start a new chapter in life."

Meanwhile, Leanna just laughed, brushing off all their dramatics. "You boys act like she's marrying a stranger. He's literally the father of her child and currently holding Bean like a human pillow."

And Cole, still cradling our son, didn't miss a beat. "I'm open to any and all trials. Background checks, blood tests, or even a duel—just tell me the rules."

The women in the room were already buzzing with excitement, tossing around wedding ideas like confetti.

Meanwhile, the men—though trying their best to act calm and composed—were clearly scheming behind the scenes. Judging by their exchanged glances and whispered side comments, it was obvious: they weren't planning a wedding. They were planning a sabotage.

====

Since Eve's family—particularly her overprotective brothers—refused to let her marry Cole right away, a compromise was made.

The wedding would take place within the year, in a grand ceremony that would allow everyone time to prepare—emotionally, logistically, and, for some of them, strategically.

The women in the family were thrilled. Immediately, mood boards were made, color palettes debated, and wedding venues shortlisted before lunch.

The men, on the other hand, had a different kind of planning session. One with fewer flowers and more schemes. Damien, Dean, and Dante—self-appointed guardians of Eve's heart—saw the delay as a tactical opportunity.

"A year?" Damien had repeated, a slow smirk forming. "Perfect. Just enough time to sabotage a wedding."

It was a win-win situation—depending on who you asked.

Cole, however, was less enthusiastic. If he could marry Eve that very night with Bean crawling beside them, he would.

But with everyone watching and the tension still simmering from his brother-in-laws and his father's anger because of his extended absence, he had to compromise. Even if it meant waiting.

Now that he had Bean, Cole couldn't imagine being disowned—he had far too much to lose now. It wasn't just about him anymore. Every decision, every step forward, had to count.

His legacy was no longer measured in company shares or boardroom wins—it was in bedtime stories, morning cuddles, and the quiet weight of responsibility that came with being a father.

He'd already made up his mind: every share he held in the Fay family's vast empire, he would someday give to the children he'd have with Eve. Not out of guilt or duty, but out of love—a deep, all-consuming kind that scared him a little because of how real it was.

That meant he needed to step up. No more half-efforts or leaving things to fate. He had to become more than just the heir. He had to become a man Eve could rely on, someone worthy of being her partner for life—not just in name, but in heart, in mind, in every decision they would make together.

He wanted to give her everything—comfort, freedom, happiness—and he wasn't going to stop until she and their children had the whole world wrapped in a bow.

Eve didn't seem too torn about it either. She was as calm as ever. Her focus wasn't on the wedding, nor the drama swirling around it—but on Bean. Always Bean.

And really, a year wasn't such a bad idea. By then, little Bean would be walking and talking and could serve as their adorable ring bearer. The mere thought made Eve smile.

====

Weeks passed and Damien had gone back to globe-trotting business mode. He had spent nearly a year shadowing Eve and doting on his tiny niece-slash-honorary-son-figure. His sudden immersion back into the company world meant travel, deals, and late nights.

Dean and Dante weren't much different. Though none of the three admitted it outright, they had an unspoken alliance: delay the wedding, no matter what it took.

While on a business trip to New York, Damien was focused, impatient, and very much in his zone. He was there to close a major acquisition deal for the company—a merger that would boost their overseas presence and keep him away from the family drama for a while.

On the third day, after a long meeting, he decided to stop by a local park near Central Park to clear his head.

The city was hot, bustling, and unforgiving, but something about the sound of children playing in the distance made him take a detour.

He sat on a bench, scrolling through emails, when a small voice beside him chirped, "Mister, your shoe's untied!"

He looked up, mildly startled.

A little girl, maybe two, was standing beside him with her finger pointing accusingly at his designer shoes. She had the same dark curls and stormy gray eyes that he had . . . and something else—something familiar.

He blinked. "Huh. Thanks, kid."

The girl grinned before he could ask anything more, a woman jogged up with a stroller and a frantic expression. "I'm so sorry, she just runs off sometimes. She's always talking to strangers—"

She paused when she saw Damien.

Damien stood slowly, his brow furrowed. "Wait . . . Estelle?"

The woman froze. "Damien?"

It had been more than a year. Their short-lived relationship had ended on uncertain terms. He had left without knowing that she'd been pregnant. She had vanished from his life without explanation—until now.

His gaze shifted from her to the little girl behind her. His chest tightened.

"Is that . . . mine?" Damien's voice dropped, barely above a whisper as he stared at the little girl clinging shyly to Estelle's leg.