My Love Until the Last Goodbye (Mary and Maximus) novel Chapter 1108

Right after, Marcus went to the bathroom and filled the tub so they could bathe both babies at the same time and put them to bed quickly.

The trip had been long, and although the twins behaved for most of it, they eventually got restless and wanted to be carried through the airplane aisles.

John had already taken a bath. His plan was to stay awake and video call Ethan to show him the room, but the moment he lay down and felt the softness of his bed, he fell sound asleep.

By the time Valerie and Marcus had finished bathing, feeding, and putting Caro and Beto to sleep, they went to check on John, who was completely knocked out.

It was amazing that he was only six and already so independent. He could do lots of things on his own—as long as they were within reach of his little hands.

"I think it's our turn now. Let's take advantage of the quiet and grab a long bath and some rest," Marcus said, taking his wife's hand.

They walked into their bedroom, looked around, and were instantly flooded with memories—most of them beautiful moments shared as a family of four. Lazy afternoons watching TV, playing with the kids, and those intimate moments only they had shared.

"You know I love you, right?" Marcus whispered, hugging her from behind.

"I love you too, my love. I love you so much, and I'm so happy by your side… I love our family. I love the peace and fulfillment I feel when I'm with you," Valerie answered, speaking from the heart.

That house brought her a deep sense of calm. Even though she felt comfortable in their home in Valentia, it didn't mean she loved it completely.

Valentia was a beautiful country, no doubt, but the memories of her youth often weighed more heavily than anything good about the place.

Even if she had found peace with her past, there were things better left alone—and many of those were memories.

What still hurt the most was her grandfather's death. The second-to-last time she saw him, she had been terrified, in a foreign country, and she knew that most of the things she'd gone through were her heartless father's fault.

No matter how much therapy she went through, every time she remembered her father's abuse, her aunt's envy and gossip, her blood boiled.

She was just a child, a teenager, simply looking for love where there was none.