Chapter 138

Serena's POV

After the Flying Elephants, Milo and Stella explored the playground together, my heart swelling with a mix of joy.

"Mommy, look how high Stella can climb!" Milo's excited voice carried across the playground. Stella, already perched near the top of the jungle gym, gave a small, shy wave.

"Be careful, you two," I called out, though I knew Stella would keep them both safe.

The playground was alive with the energy of weekend families, but I found myself focused entirely on my two. Stella helped Milo navigate the monkey bars, her small hands ready to catch him if he slipped. The sight made my throat tight with emotion.

"Would you like to try the paddle boats next?" I suggested, pointing to the small lake where colorful boats bobbed gently on the water.

"Yes!" they chorused, their synchronized enthusiasm making me smile.

The lake was a mirror of blue sky and scattered clouds, disturbed only by the gentle ripples from our boat. Stella and Milo sat side by side at the front, their legs too short to reach the pedals, while I did the paddling.

"Look, look!" Stella suddenly pointed at the water, her usual composure breaking into childlike wonder. "There are fish!"

"So many!" Milo pressed closer to the edge, making the boat rock slightly. "They're like little silver stars!"

I was about to respond when my phone buzzed in my pocket. The notification made my heart skip: "Rachel Thorne would like to connect with you." My finger hovered over the screen, but Milo's delighted giggle pulled me back to the moment. The phone went back into my pocket.

"Can we go closer to the fish, Mommy?" Milo asked, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Of course, sweetheart." I steered us gently toward the cluster of tiny fish, watching as both children leaned over to get a better look, Stella's hand automatically reaching out to steady Milo.

We spent the next hour trying different attractions and walked toward the Ferris Wheel. The sun was starting to set when I heard a familiar voice behind us.

"Serena?"

My body tensed before my mind could even process the voice. Rachel Thorne and Lucas stood a few feet away, elegant as ever in her casual wear, looking somewhat out of place among the cotton candy and balloon vendors.

"Rachel," I managed to keep my voice steady. "What a surprise."

Her gaze drifted from me to the children, lingering just a moment too long. "Indeed," she said softly. "I was just passing by." She paused, then added with a practiced smile, "With Lucas."

I noticed Lucas then, standing slightly behind her, his expression carefully neutral. Before I could respond, Stella, who had been playing chase with Milo, darted back to my side and slipped her small hand into mine. The gesture wasn't lost on Rachel - I saw the slight tightening around her eyes.

"Daddy!" Milo called out, but stayed close to my side instead of running to him.

"Having fun?" Lucas asked softly, his eyes taking in both children's slightly disheveled appearance.

Before either child could answer, Rachel stepped forward with a bright smile. "Well, what a nice surprise!" Rachel greeted Milo with a smile.

"Um-hm" Milo's response was noticeably cold.

The tension in the air thickened. Rachel's hand dropped to her side, her smile becoming more brittle. "You're still so cold, just like your father," she said to Milo, trying to lighten the mood. "No girl will ever like you if you keep that up."

"I don't need girls to like me," Milo replied instantly. "I have Mommy, and that's enough."

"That's right," Stella chimed in, looking up at me with those searching eyes of hers. "We have the best mommy in the world."

I felt my throat tighten at their words, at the fierce loyalty in their voices. The line for the Ferris wheel moved forward, and we shuffled along with it. Rachel seemed determined to salvage the situation.

"Why don't we all ride together?" she suggested brightly. "The cars can fit eight, and it would be lovely to catch up."

I felt both children tense. "Oh, I wouldn't want to intrude on your date," I replied smoothly. "Besides, with the press around..." I gestured vaguely to where I'd spotted a few photographers earlier.

"I'm scared of heights," Stella suddenly announced, her voice small but clear. "I want to sit with Mommy."

I caught Lucas's slight smile at his daughter's declaration - we both knew she had climbed to the top of the jungle gym without hesitation earlier.

"Of course," Lucas said smoothly. "We'll take the next car."

"But I want to sit with Mommy too!" Milo quickly added, not to be outdone.

"Then it's settled," I said, grateful for their intervention. "We'll see you both later."

When our turn came, I helped the twins into the car, acutely aware of Rachel's eyes on us.

The car swayed gently as it climbed higher, the fairground lights beginning to twinkle below us in the deepening dusk. Stella's hand remained firmly in mine, her head eventually coming to rest against my arm.

"Mommy?" Stella's voice was hesitant.

"Yes, sweetheart?"

"I made something for you today." She reached into her small backpack and pulled out a carefully folded paper. "It's not very good, but..."

"I helped too!" Milo chimed in proudly.

I carefully unfolded the paper to find a crayon drawing of four figures holding hands: two tall ones and two small ones, standing beneath what appeared to be a rainbow. The details were precise - clearly Stella's work - while the abundant use of bright colors suggested Milo's contribution.

"It's beautiful," I whispered, feeling my eyes grow damp. "Is this us?"

Stella nodded, watching my face carefully. "Do you really like it?"

"I love it," I pulled them both closer. "I'm going to put it somewhere special as soon as we get home."

"Really?" The hope in her voice was almost painful to hear.

"Really." I kissed the top of her head, then Milo's. "Thank you both."

As our car reached its apex, I could see Rachel and Lucas in the car behind us, their figures small but distinct. Rachel was talking, her hands moving animatedly, while Lucas seemed to be looking up at our car.

But here in our little bubble, with Stella's drawing in my lap and both children warm against my sides, those complications seemed distant and unimportant.