From a distance, Livia and Ryan watched everything unfold.
They hadn't meant to intrude; Cassian had insisted they stay back with the twins until the right moment. But when Mira said yes — when the sky lit up and the children ran forward — Livia felt something inside her crack open, soft and sudden.
A single tear slipped down her cheek before she could stop it.
Ryan noticed immediately. The teasing edge of his expression vanished, replaced by something quieter, careful. He stepped closer and patted her back gently.
"You okay?" he asked softly.
She nodded, though another tear escaped. "Yeah… I just… I've never seen her this happy."
They watched Cassian lift Mira, spinning her once before setting her down carefully, as if she were something sacred.
"She used to pretend she didn't believe in this," Livia whispered, voice low. "In forever. In family. After everything… she told herself she didn't need it."
Ryan stayed silent, letting her speak.
