Ch 55: A Peaceful Breakfast

Serena's POV

I'm dead.

Not literally, but I sure felt like I had died and was resurrected purely out of spite. Valerie, my beloved wife, my partner in crime, my trusted ally, gently—yes, GENTLY—placed me on the chair in the dining room, but I still glared at her like she had personally offended my ancestors.

My legs were jelly. My throat felt like I had swallowed sandpaper. I was a wreck. 'I loved her, truly, but right now?'

Right now, I was so pissed I could strangle her if only my arms weren't also exhausted.

Our honeymoon night had turned into a full-blown endurance trial. I got it—first night as an official married couple, emotions running high, all that romantic nonsense—but did she have to drag me into another round when I was just trying to have my peaceful alone time in the bathroom? The woman had no sense of restraint.

'AND that wasn't even the worst part.'

No, the worst part was that she had the audacity to look pleased with herself. Like she had conquered some great feat, achieved something legendary. Meanwhile, I was struggling to even sit upright. Every muscle in my body was screaming at me to lie down and never move again.

But none of that mattered now. What mattered was the kids. 'Had they woken up? Were they hungry?' My motherly instincts kicked in even as my body screamed at me to ignore everyone and collapse dramatically onto the floor.

I turned my glare back to Valerie, who, in response, leaned in and kissed my lips.

I might have forgiven her for half a second, but then I remembered my current state of near-death, and the glare resumed.

Valerie, looking suspiciously guilty, let out a wry smile. "I'll call hotel service and check in with Cecilia and Brianna," she said before making a hasty retreat.

'Good. She should reflect on her sins.'

I leaned back and closed my eyes, trying to will away the soreness in my limbs, but only for a few moments before the door swung open. My adorable son Rodan ran inside, carrying an equally adorable baby Cristina, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Mommy! Mommy! You're finally going to be an Ignis!" he announced, practically vibrating with joy.

I blinked at him, brain still booting up from exhaustion, before his words registered. A slow, tired smile formed on my face despite my aching everything. "Yay!" I high-fived him, feeling a sense of accomplishment wash over me. 

'Finally. FINALLY. We were all officially Ignis'.

Cristina giggled happily, probably just enjoying the general excitement rather than understanding what was happening, but hey, joy was joy.

Just then, Valerie returned, looking much too relaxed for someone who had committed crimes against my physical well-being. "Cecilia and Brianna are waking up Leon and Laura. Room service should be here soon."

I nodded, thanking her, and let myself slump further into the chair, thinking maybe—just maybe—I'd get a moment of peace.

Then Rodan gave me a concerned look. "Mommy? What's wrong? You look really tired. And… kinda in pain?"

I froze.

My gaze darted to Valerie, who also froze. We locked eyes, silently screaming at each other for an excuse.

"Uh," I began, forcing out an awkward chuckle. "I was fighting a monster last night."

Rodan gasped. "Oh no! Are you okay? Did you win?"

I coughed, keeping the laugh in. "I'm fine. The monster has been subdued."

The said 'monster,' who was still standing by the door, stiffened before letting out the most awkward laugh I'd ever heard from her.

A knock on the door saved us from further questioning. Valerie nearly sprinted to open it, revealing Brianna and the others. As soon as Brianna and I made eye contact, something passed between us. A moment of understanding. A sisterhood of suffering.

She shot me a pitying yet knowing look. I narrowed my eyes and mouthed, 'You too?'

She nodded solemnly.

Wordlessly, she walked to my side and placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. I gripped her hand in return. 'The bottoms had it hard.'

Valerie cleared her throat. "Uh, Cecilia and I will go check on the service," she announced before grabbing Cecilia and dragging her out.

Brianna and I watched them go. Then, with matching sighs, we sat there in shared exhaustion.

"Is it always this bad?" I muttered.

Brianna sighed. "Worse, sometimes."

We exchanged another look. Battle-worn warriors sharing the scars of their struggles.

==================================

A while later, Valerie and Cecilia returned with hotel staff pushing carts filled with food. The kids scrambled to their seats, eyes gleaming with excitement, while Valerie and Cecilia served everyone. I smiled to myself, watching my family come together. 'This. This was how life should be.'

Peaceful. Fulfilling.

Sure, I had nearly perished last night, but watching my kids happily chatter while Valerie placed a plate in front of me made it all worth it.

Mostly.

=================================

Breakfast was over, and the kids, being the bundles of energy they were, immediately turned to Cecilia and Brianna with pleading eyes. "Can we go outside?" Leon asked, practically bouncing in place.

Rodan, my sweet, mature son, also wanted to go outside, I could tell. He glanced at me and Valerie, hesitating for a moment. My motherly instincts braced for impact—I knew he was about to ask me to join them.

But then, his responsible little self took over. He looked at me, saw the remnants of exhaustion still clinging to my face, and made a silent decision. Instead of insisting, he simply nodded, shifted Cristina in his arms, and turned toward Cecilia and Brianna. "Aunts, let's go." he said, ever the little gentleman.

My heart swelled with pride.

He was so considerate, so kind, so—

"Serena," Valerie's voice cut through my moment of admiration. "You're tearing up."

I wiped my eyes aggressively. "I'm not."

"You are."

"I'm NOT."

Valerie just smiled like she knew something I didn't. 'Whatever.'

The kids left with Cecilia and Brianna, leaving just the two of us in the hotel room.

I immediately turned to my wife. "Can I use my healing skill now?"

Valerie, who had been entirely too comfortable relaxing on the bed, snapped her attention to me. Her eyes narrowed slightly, as if she had just remembered something important—probably the fact that I had been suffering all morning.

Perhaps it was my cold, expectant stare that finally got to her, because she let out a sigh and, albeit reluctantly, nodded.

Overjoyed, I wasted no time.

"Soul's Embrace."

The effect was immediate. A gentle light enveloped me, and the relief washed over me like a warm embrace. My legs, previously made of jelly, regained their strength. The dull ache in my waist vanished. My throat, once a desert, was now a pleasant oasis of hydration. The exhaustion that had weighed me down all morning? Gone. Just like that.

I exhaled in satisfaction. "Oh, that's the good stuff."

Valerie watched me, a mix of exasperation and admiration on her face.

I stretched, testing my fully recovered body. Perfect. Like nothing had ever happened. Then, without hesitation, I grabbed Valerie's hand.

"Let's go play with the kids."

Valerie blinked. "Already?"

I gave her a look. "What, did you think I was going to sit here and waste my fresh new body?"

She snorted but smiled nonetheless, lacing her fingers with mine. "Alright, alright. Let's go."

With that, we left the room, stepping out into the sunshine to join our kids. Life was too short to stay still, after all. And if Valerie thought she was getting away with wearing me out last night without making up for it by running around with the kids, she had another thing coming.