Invisible String

24

"Mmm," he teased, pulling me a little closer. "I must've been distracted. You know, by the view."

"Oh yeah?" I smirked. "Pretty sure I was in sweats with spit-up on the collar."

"Exactly my type."

I rolled my eyes and kissed him-soft and lingering. The kind of kiss that felt like it had been waiting in the wings for days. His hand slid up my back, holding me there, and for a second, the rest of the villa faded away.

A tiny gurgle crackled through the baby monitor beside us.

We both froze.

Mira.

I pulled back slowly, resting my forehead on his. "I swear, they're in sync. It's like they know when we want alone time."

He kissed my cheek and sighed dramatically. "She's probably just turning over. We've got five minutes."

I gave him a look. "Three, tops."

He smirked. "I'll take what I can get."

And so we did. Three glorious minutes of just us, wrapped up in a quiet moment that felt like gold.

"Do you think we can get another round in?"

Travis glanced at the baby monitor, then back at me with a crooked grin.

"You wanna test fate like that?" he whispered, eyes glinting with amusement. "You're feeling brave tonight."

I bit my lip, trying not to laugh as I nestled a little closer. "I mean... we've got what, two minutes before someone needs a drink, a hug, or decides to randomly practice jumping on the bed?"

He leaned in, his nose brushing mine. "So you're saying we do have time."

I laughed quietly, fingers tugging at the hem of his shirt. "I'm saying... I think we're parents who still got it."

"Challenge accepted," he murmured, already shifting closer.

Of course, just as his lips met mine again... the monitor lit up-Mira's fuss starting to build.

I groaned into his mouth. "We are never alone."

Travis sighed dramatically and flopped onto his back. "We need to start scheduling."

I sat up with a soft laugh and tossed him a pillow. "Maybe next vacation, we bring a nanny."

He nodded toward the monitor with a smirk. "Tell her that when she's a teenager. 'Hey sweetie, you know why you've never had a sibling younger than you?'"

I grinned as I got up, grabbing my robe. "Because you hesitated that one night."

He grinned right back. "And look where it got us."

I looked over my shoulder, already walking toward the nursery. "Still trying to finish a damn round."

He called after me, "Love you anyway!"

"Love you more," I said with a wink, disappearing down the hall.

I was still smiling to myself when I heard the soft creak of the door opening. Travis stepped inside, brushing his hands on his shorts as he glanced toward me. "She's out," he whispered, and I swear my heart fluttered.

I was curled up under the soft white throw, legs tucked beneath me, but as soon as our eyes met, I sat up straighter, my smile spreading. "Come here," I said quietly, reaching out toward him. He didn't hesitate.

He crossed the room in a few long strides and dropped down next to me on the couch. My hand found his jaw and I leaned in, brushing my lips against his. It started soft-familiar, warm. But then his hand slid to the back of my neck and I let out a small sigh into his mouth.

"You missed me?" he teased against my lips.

I laughed, breathless. "Always."

His forehead rested against mine, and in that still moment, the whole world slowed down. The ocean breeze drifted through the slightly open patio door, carrying the scent of salt and night flowers. The kids were asleep, the villa was quiet, and it felt like it was just us-just like it used to be, but better.

"Let's go to bed," I whispered.

Travis nodded, stood up, and offered me his hand. I took it, letting him pull me gently to my feet. There was something about the way he looked at me-like I was the only person in the world. It never stopped making me feel like I was falling in love all over again.

And as we moved toward the bedroom, fingers intertwined, I already knew tonight would be less about heat and more about home. About us.