#Chapter 471: First Steps

Olivia The smell of freshly brewed coffee stirred me awake. With my eyes still bleary, I fumbled for my clock on the nightstand. Only 6:03 am. Who on earth would be up before the sunrise besides farmers and the two newborns in this house—who were, judging from a quick glance at the baby monitor, still fast asleep in their cribs? But then, the events of yesterday rushed back. Nathan’s emergency business trip. He had to leave this morning, and wouldn’t be back until Friday. It was non-negotiable, unfortunately. Groaning, I dragged myself out from under the tangled covers, hastily pulling on my robe to ward off the early morning chill. I couldn’t wait until summer. I crept down the stairs as quietly as my steps allowed, hoping not to wake up the twins. But soft clinking echoed from the kitchen, confirming this morning’s unwelcome reality. My chest tightened when I walked into the kitchen and saw that Nathan was already dressed in a tidy sweater and slacks, his hair neatl