The hospital corridor was quiet except for the soft hum of machines and the occasional footsteps of nurses. Destiny leaned back on the hospital bed, exhausted but glowing. Baby Hope lay bundled in her arms, her tiny fingers curled around Destiny's thumb.
Ethan sat beside her, his eyes never leaving mother and child. He had insisted on being there the entire time, and even now, his presence was a comforting shield around them.
"Are you sure you don't want me to leave for a bit?" Destiny asked, her voice soft, still weak from labor.
"No," Ethan said firmly. "I'm staying right here. You and Hope need me, and I'm not going anywhere."
When the nurse brought the bill, Destiny panicked for a moment, but Ethan took care of it immediately. With a few clicks on his phone, the hospital charges were cleared.
"Consider it done," he said, glancing at Destiny with a shy smile. "You focus on recovering. That's all that matters."
Destiny felt a lump in her throat. "Ethan… thank you. I don't know how to repay you."
"You don't need to," he replied. "Just let me be here. That's enough for me."
Later that afternoon, they left the hospital. The ride home to IsLand Estate Lagos was quiet, the soft hum of the engine blending with Destiny's deep breaths and the gentle cries of Hope in her arms. Ethan kept glancing at her through the rearview mirror, worried but determined to make her feel safe.
Once home, Destiny's ex-in-laws welcomed them warmly. "Our little angel is finally home!" her ex-mother-in-law exclaimed, hugging Destiny gently.
"I can't believe she's really here," Destiny whispered, smiling through tears.
Ethan knelt beside her, carefully taking Hope into his arms. "She's perfect," he murmured. "Just like her mother."
For the next few days, Destiny rested while Ethan took over much of the night duties. Hope cried a lot in the beginning the nights were long, filled with lullabies, rocking chairs, and soft whispered reassurances.
"Destiny, please, stay here tonight," Ethan begged one evening as she tried to insist on sleeping in another room. "I can watch Hope. You need rest more than anyone."
Destiny hesitated, then nodded. "Okay but only because I trust you," she said, a small smile on her lips.
As the night wore on, Ethan held Hope close, gently rocking her back to sleep whenever she stirred. His eyes were tired, but his devotion never wavered. Sometimes, when Hope's cries grew louder, Ethan would softly sing to her, even letting tears escape as he whispered, "Mommy's here, baby. Everything is okay."
Watching him, Destiny felt a warmth in her chest she hadn't felt in years a mix of gratitude, relief, and love. The bond between them deepened every night, strengthened by sleepless hours and tender care.
By morning, Hope would finally settle, and Destiny would wake to find Ethan asleep in the rocking chair, her baby cradled gently in his arms. She would brush a hand across his forehead, smiling softly at how selfless he had been.
As the days passed, Ethan became more involved in every part of their new life. He helped Destiny with house chores, encouraged her writing, and even brainstormed ideas for her novels. He made it clear that her dreams were as important as their family's well-being.
"Your story is amazing, Destiny," he said one afternoon, reviewing her latest draft. "You're going to inspire so many people. I want to help you make sure it reaches as many readers as possible."
Destiny felt a swell of gratitude. "Ethan you're always thinking about everyone else."
"I think about us," he replied simply. "Our daughter, you, our future. That's what matters."
Sometimes, Ethan would joke while bouncing Hope in his arms, "I think she likes me more than you already!"
Destiny laughed, tears in her eyes. "You think so?"
"She kicked you earlier today when I picked her up," Ethan teased, grinning. "I think she knows who's been rocking her to sleep all night."
Through it all the sleepless nights, the gentle chaos, and the tender mornings Destiny felt herself healing. Hope's cries became easier to soothe, and the laughter that filled their home grew louder. Every night, Ethan's presence reminded her that love, when genuine, was patient, steadfast, and full of small acts that mattered more than grand gestures.
By the end of the week, Destiny realized how much they had grown together. Ethan wasn't just a man who had returned to prove himself; he was a partner, a father, and a constant support. Their nights together, sleepless as they were, had become a rhythm, a quiet testament to the family they were building.
And as Destiny held Hope in the soft morning light, watching Ethan gently kiss the baby's tiny forehead, she whispered softly, "Maybe just maybe, love really does deserve a second chance."
Outside, the sun rose over Lagos, spilling golden light into their home a new day, a new beginning, and the start of the beautiful, chaotic, wonderful life they would share together.