It was already morning, and the warm sunlight filtered through the balcony window, slowly spilling across the bed and casting a golden glow over the entire room. The curtains, gently swayed by the soft breeze, allowed rays of light to dance inside, creating a quiet, welcoming atmosphere.
Gwen was curled up in Arthur's arms, tucked beneath the blanket as if that were the most comfortable place in the world. Her serene expression held a faint, involuntary smile, as though her body were still dreaming about the night before.
As minutes passed, the sunlight shifted to the perfect angle, resting directly on Gwen's face and illuminating her long eyelashes and skin. Bothered by the growing brightness, she stirred a little, letting out a soft, sleepy purr before slowly opening her eyes.
The first thing she saw was Arthur's chest — and then, right after, she heard his low, gentle voice near her ear, warm enough to make her smile without even realizing it:
"You're awake?"
"Humm~…" Gwen responded with a lazy hum, looping her arms around Arthur's neck and snuggling closer, rubbing her head against his chest like a clingy kitten who wasn't ready to leave the warm blanket.
Arthur chuckled softly at the sight.
"Arthur… what time is it?" she murmured, still not lifting her face from his chest.
"It's already nine," he said after glancing at the digital clock on the wall.
The word nine hit Gwen harder than any alarm. Within seconds, her eyes shot open, and she practically jumped back, ending up on her knees on the bed.
"W–What?! Arthur! Get out! Quickly! I need to get changed!"
Arthur raised an eyebrow, perfectly calm as he watched her adorable panic.
"Embarrassed about what? I've already seen every part of your body," he said casually, triggering a perfect mix of indignation and shame in Gwen.
"Just get out!!" she whined, covering her face for a second.
"Alright, alright… but you kind of need to get off me first, Gwen."
She made a face, pushed him with her fingertips, and scrambled out of bed so quickly she almost tripped over her own feet. The memory of last night flashed through both their minds — they had been… very enthusiastic.
Arthur stood up, picked his clothes off the floor, and got dressed with quick, practiced movements. Then he straightened his collar and walked toward the door.
"I'm going to make breakfast for you real quick," he said gently. "After that, I'll drive you to the university."
Gwen, still clutching the blanket around her body, blinked a few times, her cheeks lightly flushed.
"Thank you…"
She watched him leave the room, and only then let out a long breath, covering her face with her hands as a smile spread across her lips. The room still felt warm with Arthur's presence, and for a moment, Gwen simply stayed there, happy, before finally starting to get ready.
---xXx---
Arthur walked downstairs with light steps, stretching his shoulders to shake off the pleasant tension left from the night before. The smell… well, the smell was strange. Something between burning eggs, melted butter, and—was that smoke?
The moment he turned toward the kitchen, everything made sense.
Saeko was standing on a stool, wearing an apron far too big for her — draped over her like a sad superhero cape — while staring at the frying pan with the expression of someone facing a video game boss way above her level.
The egg in the pan looked like it had been through a war.
Or two.
Beside her: a mountain of eggshells, an open bag of flour, and — for some mysterious reason — an uncapped jar of strawberry jam.
She turned slowly upon hearing Arthur enter, like someone caught blowing up the oven for the third time, and flashed him a proud, innocent smile.
"Daddy! Good morning!"
Arthur covered his mouth, holding back a laugh.
"Good morning, little chef. What exactly are you trying to make here?"
Saeko blinked and raised the spatula like it was a legendary sword.
"Breakfast! But… the stove isn't cooperating. It has hostile energy."
Arthur burst into laughter.
"Saeko, the stove isn't hostile. You're the one waging war against that poor frying pan."
She crossed her arms, outraged.
"I just wanted to make a nice breakfast for you and Gwen… but the eggs refuse to obey."
Arthur approached, ruffled her hair, and examined the battlefield.
"If you want, I can help. Or better — we can make it together."
Saeko narrowed her eyes like someone negotiating with a cunning demon, but then she smiled.
"Since you want to help that badly… I'll allow it."
"Oh, such generosity, Milady," Arthur teased as he opened the fridge.
They began working side by side: Arthur cracking eggs with ease, and Saeko stirring the batter with the intensity of a child convinced she was training to become a legendary master chef.
She commented every two minutes.
"Daddy… why does the flour fly like that?"
"Because you're mixing it like you're trying to summon a tornado."
Or:
"Is this for pancakes?"
"It was. Before you decided to put jam directly into the batter."
That was exactly when Gwen came downstairs.
She was adjusting her hair, wearing a relaxed expression — the kind of calm smile from someone who slept well, got ready well, and felt the day would be good.
But upon reaching the kitchen doorway, she stopped.
And smiled in a completely different way.
There was Arthur, laughing as he wiped flour off Saeko's face. The girl, very proud of herself, showed him a pancake so crooked it defied geometry. He praised it anyway — in the way only a completely smitten father could.
Gwen leaned against the doorframe, hugging herself lightly as she watched.
A thought arose as naturally as breathing:
I really made the best decision of my life when I pushed that man onto this path…
She didn't even try to hide her smile.
The family she dreamed of… was right there. Saeko was proof of that.
In a messy kitchen, with flour on the floor, crooked pancakes on the counter, and two people she loved being absolutely adorable together.
Arthur turned when he felt her gaze.
"Good morning, Miss Stacy."
Saeko also turned, proud as ever.
"Gwen! I made breakfast! Well… part of it. The part that didn't catch fire."
Gwen laughed, stepped into the kitchen, and kissed Saeko's forehead.
"I'm sure it's wonderful, sweetheart."
Then she kissed Arthur lightly on the cheek.
"And you… you look very good in this 'family man' mode."
Arthur raised an eyebrow but didn't respond — he just smiled.
Saeko pointed the spatula at both of them.
"Can you two stop dumping sugar all over me? You're way too mushy in the morning."
"SAEKO!" Gwen hid her face, laughing.
Arthur laughed too as he turned off the stove.
"Let's eat before Saeko decides to challenge another egg."
"Hey! I'm going to get stronger one day!" Saeko protested, puffing out her chest.
Gwen smiled even wider.
Yes… everything was exactly the way it should be.
And it was only getting better.
(End of Chapter)