8. Love in the Small Moments

The house was unusually quiet for a weekday morning. The children had been given leave from school to recover from their injuries, and Elena had made sure they weren't left alone for even a second. She hovered near them, a soft, protective smile on her face as she made their favorite meals, ensuring that everything they could possibly need was within reach.

Aarav and Reyansh were enjoying the extra attention, and even little Ansh seemed to bask in the warmth of his mother's love. The pain from their injuries had faded, replaced by the joy of being pampered by Elena, who had transformed their routine into a celebration of comfort and care. Elena was always there, offering her loving touch and cooking their favorite dishes with an effort to make them smile.

Rivaan, too, had stayed home from work. He hadn't gone into the office since the incident at school. While he focused on taking care of their children, there was a different, quieter focus in his gaze. He watched Elena more often than he did before—studying her movements, observing the way she nurtured their children with such devotion. There was a tenderness about her that never failed to pull at his heart, even in the moments when he hadn't allowed himself to express it.

As Elena fussed over Reyansh's bandage, making sure it wasn't too tight, Rivaan's gaze softened. He walked over and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Let me help," he offered, his voice low and sincere.

She looked up, momentarily surprised, but then nodded. He helped her adjust the bandage, the brief contact between their hands sending a familiar warmth through Elena that she hadn't felt in years. It was the first time in a long while that they worked together, side by side, for their children. For a moment, Elena forgot about the distance that usually lingered between them.

Later that afternoon, Rivaan's parents arrived home, cutting their trip short after hearing what had happened to their grandchildren. His sister also rushed over, though Elena wasn't surprised when her presence, as always, came with sharp words.

"You really need to be more careful, Elena," Rivaan's sister said, her voice laced with the familiar judgment. "You're lucky nothing worse happened to my brothers' children. You're their mother; their safety should be your top priority."

Elena remained silent, used to the taunts. She smiled politely, not wanting to cause any tension in front of the children, who were busy playing in the other room. Inside, however, the sting of her sister-in-law's words hit deeper than she cared to admit. Despite her years of effort, she still felt as though she could never do enough to earn approval from Rivaan's family—especially his sister.

Rivaan, overhearing the conversation, stepped in, his tone firm. "Elena has been taking perfect care of the children. It was an accident, and she doesn't deserve this blame." His words, while few, held weight, and his sister immediately quieted down, casting an annoyed glance in Elena's direction before retreating to sit with their parents.

Elena's heart fluttered slightly at his defense. It was rare for him to speak up for her in such a direct way, and it reminded her of the man she had fallen in love with all those years ago. She glanced at Rivaan, who met her gaze with an understanding nod before turning his attention back to the children.

Not long after, Elena's father and brother arrived as well. The moment they stepped through the door, Elena felt a wave of relief wash over her. Their presence always brought a sense of security and comfort. She greeted them with a bright smile, her earlier tension dissolving in their warmth.

"How are my grandchildren doing?" her father asked, his tone full of concern as he gently lifted Ansh into his arms.

"They're doing better now," Elena replied, her smile widening as she watched her children's faces light up at the sight of their grandfather and uncle. "It's been a rough few days, but they're recovering well."

Dinner that evening was a lively affair, with her father and brother's voices filling the room with laughter and stories. The children, delighted to have their grandfather and uncle there, seemed to forget all about their injuries as they listened eagerly to the tales being shared. Elena found herself laughing too, the weight of the past few days easing as she basked in the comfort of her family.

For a moment, everything felt perfect. The house was filled with love, and Elena could almost forget the loneliness that had haunted her for so long. Rivaan was attentive, his eyes following her every movement as she interacted with her father and brother, their children smiling at the end of the dinner table. It was the closest they had come to feeling like a true family in years.

When the evening came to an end, her father and brother bid their goodbyes, leaving Elena with a kiss on the cheek and a reminder to call if she ever needed anything. Her sister-in-law also left soon after, much to Elena's relief, while Rivaan's parents retired to their room.

Finally, the house was quiet once again. Rivaan and Elena took their children upstairs to put them to bed. The boys had fallen asleep , still tired from the day's excitement, and Ansh was already dozing in Elena's arms. Together, they gently laid them on the bed.

Elena leaned over and kissed each of their foreheads, whispering a soft "goodnight" to her children. Rivaan followed suit, his heart swelling with a quiet pride as he looked at his family. He glanced at Elena, who stood by the bed, watching their children with a peaceful smile on her face.

Without thinking, Rivaan stepped closer to her, wrapping an arm around her waist. Elena, surprised by the sudden contact, turned to face him. Before she could say anything, Rivaan leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. It was a simple gesture, but it was filled with all the unspoken words he had kept hidden for years.

Elena blinked in surprise, but before she could react, her exhaustion caught up with her. She lay down beside their children, and within moments, she was fast asleep. Rivaan lay next to her, pulling her closer into his arms. For the first time in a long while, he felt a sense of peace wash over him as he held her, surrounded by the quiet breaths of their children.

And for the first time, Elena fell asleep with a sense of comfort in his embrace, not realizing that Rivaan, too, had finally allowed himself to feel the weight of his love for her.