Jr couldn't stop thinking about the night he had shared with Bella. A warm smile danced on his lips, unbidden and constant, as he sat comfortably in the backseat of his sleek black SUV. Regan, his long-time driver, noticed the unusual cheerfulness in his rearview mirror. Raising a brow in silent curiosity, he thought to himself, What's gotten into the boss this morning? It was rare to see Jr in such high spirits this early in the day—he was usually reserved, calm, and focused.
Without saying a word to Regan at first, Jr picked up his phone and quickly dialed his mother's number. After a few rings, she answered with her usual calm voice.
"Mom, I want to meet with you and Grandma today—at 10 a.m.," he said without preamble.
"Oh?" she replied, surprised by the early call. "Of course, Jr. Grandma is still here with me."
"Good," Jr responded with a satisfied tone. "I'm coming over." With that, he ended the call and leaned slightly forward.
"To the Hampton Estate," he instructed Regan.
"Yes, sir," Regan responded, still intrigued but professionally silent as he started the engine and pulled into the quiet morning traffic.
Back at Jr's estate, the morning was lazy and sweet. The sky was a soft gray, and a light drizzle patted gently against the windows, wrapping the house in a calm, sleepy atmosphere. Bella was still in bed, cocooned in warmth and satin sheets. Her face glowed with a serene smile as she touched her lips gently, her mind replaying every moment from the night before. The tenderness, the connection—everything had felt just right. Her heart fluttered in a way she hadn't experienced in a long time.
Jr had left strict instructions with the staff not to disturb Bella under any circumstance. He wanted her to rest, to feel safe, and to wake naturally. After all, she deserved a peaceful morning.
Meanwhile, Bonita, the youngest of Bella's three daughters, woke up early. The house was quiet, the scent of fresh linen and soft rain lingering in the air. She padded softly across the hallway in her fuzzy slippers and peeked into her mother's bedroom, only to find it empty.
She paused, puzzled. Then, following a hunch, she made her way to the third floor, where Jr's private quarters were. Bonita knocked gently on the door, and when there was no response, she turned the knob and peeked in.
There, nestled in Jr's luxurious bed, was her mother. Bella looked up, still glowing with that peaceful post-dream smile, and spotted her daughter standing in the doorway.
"My little princess, come here," Bella said, extending her arms.
Bonita beamed and ran to her mother's side, snuggling under the warm covers. Bella wrapped her arms around her and whispered, "It's still early, and it's cold. Let's sleep a little longer."
Outside, the drizzle continued, casting a soothing rhythm on the windows as mother and daughter drifted back into slumber.
Fifteen minutes later, Bella's other two daughters, Lisa and Bianca, stirred from their sleep. Like Bonita, they had checked their mother's room first and found it empty. They wandered through the kitchen and living room, still rubbing sleep from their eyes, but there was no sign of her. Curious now, they looked at each other and, without a word, headed upstairs to Jr's room.
They knocked gently before stepping in. As the door opened, the sight made both girls smile. "Mom!" Lisa said with surprise.
Bella, half-awake, smiled warmly. "Good morning, my little princesses," she whispered.
The two girls ran to the bed and climbed in on either side of their mother. She wrapped them all in the blankets, pulling them close. For a few minutes, nothing needed to be said. The room was quiet except for the gentle hum of rain and the soft breathing of the girls.
It was just past 8 a.m.
The moment was serene—a snapshot of rare peace in the fast-moving lives they all led. In that bed were threads of love stitched tightly together. Bella, feeling the warmth of her daughters and the glow from the night with Jr, let herself be completely still. She wasn't just a woman who had experienced something beautiful the night before; she was a mother, embraced by the purity and comfort of her children's presence.
Downstairs, the staff moved quietly, respecting Jr's instructions. Breakfast was being prepared—nothing extravagant, just warm pastries, eggs, and fresh fruit. The coffee brewed slowly, releasing a rich, earthy aroma into the kitchen. Outside, the gardens shimmered with dew as the rain gently fed the earth.
Back in the SUV, Jr was nearly at Hampton Estate. He stared out the window, but his thoughts were miles away—with Bella, with the girls, and with the future. The night had opened something in him—something he hadn't allowed himself to feel in a long time. Vulnerability, joy, and hope.
Regan glanced again into the mirror, still silently wondering. But Jr only smiled, looking forward.
At the Hampton Estate, Jr's mother and grandmother were already in the sunroom, sipping tea and talking softly. They hadn't expected a visit so early, but they were curious about what Jr wanted to discuss.
As he stepped into the estate, the warmth of family greeted him. His mother kissed him on the cheek and his grandmother embraced him with her frail but loving arms. Jr sat down, took a deep breath, and prepared to speak—not just about business or plans, but about what was happening in his heart.
And back at his home, wrapped in Duvets and love, Bella and the girls slept on, unaware that something in their world was quietly, beautifully shifting.