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"Baba, what are you doing?"
Noor, perched on the edge of the counter to your right, leaned forward eagerly, trying to peek at what you were preparing for the twins. Their wide, curious eyes flicked between the neatly arranged bowls of freshly cut fruit and the delicate ingredients Unam had purified before leaving for a meeting with Septem.
On your left, Shams nuzzled against your leg, his small hands clinging to the fabric of your clothes as he sought comfort. He was still drowsy from his afternoon nap, his dark lashes fluttering sleepily as he instinctively reached for Noor’s hand. The warmth of his little fingers wrapped around yours made your heart swell.
With a practiced hand, you finished slicing the last of the apples, mangoes, and strawberries, their juices glistening under the soft kitchen light. You glanced down at the twins with a fond smile.
"I'm making something sweet that we can enjoy in the Garden. What do you guys think?" you asked, reaching for a] small bottle of creamy, sweet condensed milk. "It’s something my parents used to make for me when I was little."
Noor’s eyes widened with excitement. "A recipe from when you were a kid?" They bounced slightly on their toes, trying to get a better view. "Does that mean it’s super special?"
Shams, still half-asleep, murmured in agreement, his small body pressing against your side.
You chuckled, pouring the milk over the fruit, watching as it pooled around the vibrant pieces. "Of course. It was for an outing like a picnic. "
The twins gazed in awe as the colorful mixture came together. The scent of ripe mangoes mingled with the subtle fragrance of strawberries and the thick, comforting aroma of the condensed milk. You could see the anticipation on their faces as you picked up a small spoon and stirred gently.
"Now," you said, scooping up a perfect bite-sized portion, "who wants the first taste?"
Noor wasted no time, their mouth already open expectantly, while Shams, still clinging to you, hesitated before letting go just enough to reach for the spoon.
You laughed softly, feeding each of them in turn. Noor let out a dramatic sigh of delight, hopping around excitedly. "Baba, this is the best thing I’ve ever tasted!"
Shams blinked slowly, savoring the sweetness before a soft, sleepy smile spread across his face. "It’s… really good," he murmured, rubbing his eyes.
Noor, practically vibrating with excitement, grabbed a small bowl. "Can we take extra for Father and mothers? They should have some too!"
You wiped a stray drop of milk from Shams’ cheek and nodded. "Well maybe just for mothers… We’ll prepare a little more, and just in case, why don’t you ask your other moms to join us in the garden?"
The children cheered, already portioning out servings with the precision of a determined chef, before Shams tugged gently at your sleeve.
"Baba?"
"Yes, Honey?" you answered, ruffling his hair.
Shams yawned, his tiny hand tightening around yours. "Can we eat while you tell us stories? About when you were little?"
Your heart melted at the request. Leaning down, you kissed the top of his head, letting your fingers brush through his soft hair.
"Always, my love."
As the three of you continued preparing the dish, laughter and warmth filled the kitchen, mingling with the gentle clinking of bowls and the comforting aroma of fruit and milk. In that moment, as your children’s joy radiated around you, the past and present intertwined, creating yet another memory to be cherished.
After a while, you walked alongside your sister wife, Aeliana, who carried the picnic basket filled with the sweet treat and other small delicacies. Her golden hair shimmered in the afternoon light, and she glanced at you with a soft smile, her hands steady as she adjusted the cloth covering the food.
Ahead, your other sister wives, Ignis and Solaris, were already keeping a watchful eye on the children as they raced toward the grand, ancient tree at the heart of the Garden. Its thick, twisting branches stretched wide, offering shade and a perfect spot for a family picnic. The golden leaves rustled gently in the breeze, casting dappled sunlight onto the soft grass below.
Noor and Shams ran with wild excitement, their laughter ringing through the air as they tried to outrun each other. Their tiny feet barely made a sound against the lush ground, and every now and then, Noor would glance back, calling out, "Baba, hurry up!"
Ignis, ever the playful one, suddenly scooped up Noor effortlessly, spinning them around before setting them back down. "You have to be faster than that, little starlight" she teased, ruffling their white hair. Noor giggled, trying to escape her grasp, while Shams clung to Solaris, his sleepiness still lingering despite the fresh air.
Aeliana chuckled beside you. "They have so much energy."
"They get it from you know who" you teased back, shifting the weight of the small blanket draped over your arm.
She nudged you playfully. "And yet, you’re the one they always cling to when they get tired."
You smiled at that, feeling warmth spread through your chest. It was true—no matter how much the children adored all of their parents, they always found their way back to you when they needed comfort.
By the time you reached the tree, Ignis had already spread out a large, embroidered blanket, which she made to pass time in the temple, beneath its shade. Solaris knelt beside her, helping to set up the plates while the children bounced around excitedly, eager to dig in.
As you lowered yourself onto the blanket, Noor plopped down beside you, eyes shining. "Baba, tell us a story while we eat!"
Shams curled up against your side, already snuggling into your warmth. You exchanged glances with your wives, who nodded curiously.
You chuckled, lifting a spoonful of the sweet fruit and milk dessert to your lips before setting the bowl down. "Alright," you said, your voice soft but full of fondness. "Let me tell you a tale of when I was young—of warm summer days, of sweet treats just like this, and of a time when I would run without a care in the world…"
As the children leaned in, eyes wide with anticipation, and your wives settled comfortably around you, the moment felt perfect—a fragment of time bathed in golden light, woven together with love, laughter, and the promise of countless memories yet to come.
Meanwhile, Unam strode through the temple halls, his steps quickening with purpose. He had just finished his meeting with Septem, eager to spend time with his family before the children's bedtime—even if, for him, the afternoon still felt far too early to be winding down.
A small pout tugged at his lips as he glanced around, his brow furrowing. Where has everyone gone?
The moment he stepped into the garden, his silent grumbling was met with the unmistakable sound of laughter. It was light, free, and utterly infectious. He followed the sound until his gaze landed on you—your head tilted back in laughter, eyes crinkled with joy as the twins dashed after Solaris in a lively game of what appeared to be… Duck Duck Goose?
Unam's brows lifted slightly. Ah. That human game. You had explained it to him once before, though he had never fully grasped why tapping someone’s head and running in circles was so amusing. But watching his children play—watching you light up with joy—it suddenly made perfect sense.
Aeliana sat nearby, her arms resting on her folded legs as she watched the game unfold with a warm smile. Ignis leaned back on her palms, smirking as she occasionally called out playful teases.
Unam crossed his arms, observing for a moment longer before clearing his throat dramatically. "And here I thought I’d been forgotten," he mused, feigning offense.
At the sound of his voice, Shams gasped and turned, his sleepy demeanor vanishing as he squealed, “Baba, Father!”
Noor perked up immediately, abandoning the game entirely as they raced toward him, arms outstretched. Unam barely had time to prepare before both children crashed into him, hugging him tightly.
He chuckled, ruffling their hair before glancing at you with an affectionate smirk. "I see you’ve been keeping them entertained."
You grinned, shifting slightly to make space for him. "Of course. But you’re just in time for the real fun—storytime."
Unam’s eyes softened as he settled beside you, one arm draping over your shoulders while the twins snuggled into his sides. "Then I suppose I should stay. After all, I wouldn't want to miss another one of your stories."
The golden afternoon stretched on, filled with warmth, playfulness, and the steady hum of family—a moment that felt infinite, etched into the very fabric of your hearts.