Alex and Naosa returned home from New York, their hearts full of wonderful memories. They gathered around the dinner table with Lu and Kacy for an evening of shared news.
Lu and Kacy spoke first.
“Life here’s been wonderful—almost too easy to get used to,” Lu began with a gentle smile. “But Nao and Alex are a family now, and we thought it was time for us to find our own place.”
Kacy quickly added,
“When we say ‘move out,’ we mean we bought a unit in the condo complex nearby. We can still come over anytime, and we’ll definitely need to use your closet for our overflow!”
Naosa, who had been bursting to share her news, suddenly froze—her smile collapsing into tears.
Lu and Kacy exchanged worried glances but quickly moved to comfort her.
“We’ll always be sisters,” Lu said softly. “We’ll always be on your side, Nao. We’ll be there in a flash if anything happens. This isn’t goodbye—we’ll always love you.”
Naosa nodded through her tears, understanding but unprepared for the sudden news. Alex gently rubbed her back, offering a grateful nod to Lu and Kacy.
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Between sobs, Naosa managed to whisper,
“It’s wonderful that you bought your own place. Please let me celebrate this properly. Congratulations.”
She steadied herself and went on,
“Thank you, truly, for everything. For so long, you’ve supported Kazu and me. We couldn’t have made it without you… I’ll miss you so much.”
And she dissolved into tears again.
Their memories flooded back—raising little Kazu with boundless love, endless laughter, comforting each other through pain, crying together in sorrow, always living side by side through everything. Lu and Kacy began crying too.
“Our home’s literally next door,” Kacy laughed through her tears, and everyone smiled through theirs.
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Lu’s voice grew tender.
“I’ve never really said this, but when my family in Japan disowned me, Uncle Naoaki told me I could stay with you—he welcomed me completely. You and Kazu were so little then, and you brought me such comfort. We’ll always be your biggest supporters, Nao.”
Kacy and Lu stood and enveloped the sobbing Naosa in their arms, just as they always had.
Wiping her eyes, Kacy asked gently,
“So, what’s your news?”
Naosa, her eyes still red and puffy, looked at Alex. They both smiled before she announced her pregnancy to Lu and Kacy.
The two erupted in joy.
“Another little one joining the family! How exciting!” Kacy exclaimed.
Alex grinned mischievously.
“Little ones.”
Lu and Kacy shouted together,
“Twins?!”
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Despite the planned move, Lu and Kacy decided to keep their basement room available to support Naosa during her pregnancy. They all laughed, agreeing that while it might feel lonely for a little while, things would quickly become lively again.
Naosa also called her aunt Geneviève in France to share the pregnancy news. Geneviève was absolutely thrilled.
When Alex took the phone, and Geneviève’s voice came through warm with joy.
“There has never been a Séraphine who carried a child before,” she said with wonder. “She is truly living her own life now. You don’t need to worry anymore.”
Alex touched Naosa’s cheek, realizing with profound relief that she was truly here—truly his. His lingering trauma began to fade. He vowed to protect her and their soon-to-arrive children, no matter what.
He also shared the news with Naoaki and Reginald, who offered wholehearted blessings and eagerly awaited the babies’ arrival.
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Several months later, beautiful twins were born—a boy and a girl named Travis and Tracy.
Although Naosa initially missed Lu and Kacy’s constant presence, the twins’ arrival brought them over frequently. Kazu often brought his girlfriend home, staying for several days at a time. Even Naoaki returned to the house many times to see his adorable grandchildren, unable to maintain any strictness with them, his eyes crinkling with pure joy.
As the children grew, Alex and Naosa’s daily lives became wonderfully chaotic. Within a few years, the beautiful “angels” had turned into energetic little “monsters,” but they continued to grow up healthy and surrounded by love from everyone.
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Alex, without telling Naosa, sometimes placed Tracy on the piano bench and let her tap the keys, feeling secretly relieved when the ancient instrument stayed silent—no sound came from Séraphine’s piano.
Travis and Tracy showed no interest in music—even toy instruments never held their attention.
Alex laughed to Naosa one day,
“It’s the O’Neill DNA showing through.”
Naosa smiled back,
“It doesn’t matter, as long as they find what they truly love.”
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One quiet evening, after putting the children to bed, they sat together on the stairs and talked softly.
“Raising kids is exhausting,” Naosa mused, “but having a family like this—it’s the best kind of happiness, isn’t it?”
Alex nodded thoughtfully.
“We’ve been a family for a long time—a big, beautiful one. Those little ones just joined what was already there. It’s amazing how everyone loves each other so much. I’m so grateful I met you, that we’re together. Thank you, Nao.”
“Thank you, Alex,” Naosa whispered. “You’re the reason I’m happy.”
They kissed softly, their love for each other having deepened even beyond what they thought possible before.
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