Chapter 70: Returning Home

As the car smoothly glided through the quiet city streets, Noah sat nestled in his mother's arms, his small fingers grasping the fabric of her dress as he gazed out of the window. The city lights streaked past like falling stars, a dazzling display of gold and silver against the night sky. His mind replayed the events of the evening—the grand hall, the overwhelming crowd, the hushed whispers that had followed them. But most of all, the moment he made his first friend.

It should have been a night of happiness, yet something unsettled him. A small weight pressed against his heart, making his tiny hands curl tighter into his mother's embrace.

His mother, ever attuned to his emotions, noticed his grip tighten. She kissed his forehead, her voice gentle and soothing. "Sweetheart, is something bothering you?"

Noah hesitated for a moment before shifting slightly in her arms. "Mama… will we always be together?"

A heavy silence filled the car. His words, innocent yet fragile, carried the weight of a deep-seated fear. His father, watching through the rearview mirror, gripped the steering wheel a little tighter. His sisters, who had been laughing softly among themselves, fell into silence, exchanging glances of quiet understanding.

His mother cupped his tiny face, her thumb stroking his soft cheek. "Of course, my love. Why would you ask that?"

Noah lowered his gaze, his voice barely a whisper. "Because… before, I was alone. Before, I didn't have you, Papa, or my sisters. And now I do. But… what if one day… you all leave?"

His words felt like a dagger piercing their hearts. Without hesitation, his father pulled the car over to the side of the road, unable to keep driving after hearing those words. He turned in his seat, his expression filled with both sorrow and determination.

"Noah," his father's voice was thick with emotion. "I will never leave you. Not now, not ever."

His sisters leaned in closer, placing their hands gently on his small shoulders. "Little brother," one of them said softly, "you mean everything to us. There is nothing in this world that could make us leave you."

Noah looked at each of them, searching their faces for reassurance. His mother tightened her hold on him, whispering, "Sweetheart, we love you more than anything. Even if the whole world turned against us, even if everything else disappeared… we would still have each other."

Despite their reassurances, the shadow of doubt didn't completely leave his eyes. Seeing this, his mother made a decision. "When we get home," she said softly, "I want to tell you a story. A story about how strong love can be."

The rest of the ride was quiet, with Noah deep in thought. He still clung to his mother's dress, as if afraid to let go.

When they arrived home, his father carried him inside, while his sisters took turns ruffling his hair and planting soft kisses on his forehead. Warmth surrounded him—in their touch, in their voices, in their love—but the little weight in his heart still lingered.

As always, he was taken to his parents' room for the night, nestled between them under the soft blankets. His mother lay beside him, brushing his hair gently as she began to speak.

"When I was younger," she started, "I had nothing. I wasn't born into power, and I wasn't surrounded by love. The world was cruel, and I had to fight for everything I have now. But even in the darkest of times, I never gave up. Do you know why?"

Noah shook his head slowly, his wide eyes locked onto hers.

"Because I knew, deep down, that one day… I would find a love so strong it could never be taken away." She smiled softly. "And I found that love in you, in your father, and in your sisters. Family isn't something that can be lost, my love. Family is a bond stronger than anything. Even if we were separated by an ocean, my heart would always be with you."

Noah's eyes shimmered with emotion. "Really?"

His father leaned in, his voice firm yet filled with warmth. "Really. Noah, you are our son. That means you are a part of us. No matter what happens, no matter where you go, you will always be loved."

His sisters, who had been listening from the doorway, stepped inside one by one. They surrounded the bed, forming a protective circle around their little brother.

One of them leaned down and kissed his forehead. "Little brother, do you know what happens if you ever feel lonely?"

Noah shook his head.

She smiled. "You call for us, and we'll be there in an instant."

Another sister playfully poked his nose. "Even if you don't call, we'll still be there."

His mother pulled him closer, cradling him against her chest. "You are my heart, my love. As long as I am breathing, I will be with you."

The overwhelming love surrounding him made Noah's small body relax completely. For the first time, he truly believed their words. He buried his face into his mother's embrace, a soft sigh escaping his lips. "I love you, Mama."

Tears glistened in her eyes as she held him closer. "I love you too, my baby."

His father placed a strong, warm hand on his back. "I love you, my son."

His sisters each whispered their love as well, showering him in soft kisses and gentle laughter until he finally drifted into sleep, safe and sound in the arms of his family.

That night, as his mother and father looked down at their sleeping son, they knew—this was only the beginning of his healing. There would still be struggles, still be moments of doubt, but as long as they stood by him, he would never face them alone.

And with that unspoken promise in their hearts, they held him close, whispering, "We love you, our baby," before drifting off to sleep, wrapped in the warmth of their unbreakable bond.