The evening had been a whirlwind of emotions, teasing, and an unspoken tension that built throughout the day. Now, the world outside was silent, save for the faint rustling of leaves in the night breeze.

Eva lay against Andrew's chest, her breathing soft and even, her face still flushed from the heat of their earlier intimacy. Andrew’s hand absentmindedly traced patterns on her back, his mind replaying the events of the night. He had never felt more connected to anyone, and the vulnerability Eva had shown him only made his love for her deepen.

For Eva, the night was a blend of nervousness and unexpected joy. She had feared the unknown but found solace in Andrew’s tenderness. His reassurances, his gentle touch, and the way he made her feel as though she were the center of his world—everything had melted her fears away. As she drifted further into sleep, her lips curled into a small, satisfied smile.

The morning sun broke through the curtains, casting a golden hue over the room. Andrew stirred awake, his body heavy with contentment. The sight of Eva snuggled into him, her hair tousled and her expression peaceful, filled him with pride and happiness.

He brushed a strand of hair from her face and whispered, “Good morning, my queen.”

Eva’s eyes fluttered open, her cheeks warming as she met his gaze. “Good morning,” she replied, her voice soft. She stretched, groaning slightly as the soreness in her body reminded her of the night before. Andrew chuckled, his deep voice sending shivers through her.

“Sore, sweetheart?” he teased, a playful glint in his eye.

Eva smacked his chest lightly, hiding her face in embarrassment. “You’re impossible, Andrew King.”

“I prefer ‘irresistible,’” he said, pulling her closer and placing a soft kiss on her forehead. “How do you feel?”

Eva bit her lip, thinking for a moment before meeting his gaze. “Happy,” she said simply. “And…a little embarrassed.”

“Why embarrassed?” Andrew asked, tilting her chin up to look at him.

“Because…” Eva hesitated, her cheeks flushing. “Because you saw all of me.”

Andrew’s expression softened. “Sweetheart, you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Every inch of you belongs to me now. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about.”

His words caused her heart to race, and she smiled shyly. “I love you,” she said, her voice barely a whisper.

Andrew’s grin widened. “I love you too. More than you’ll ever know.”

Downstairs, the rest of the family was already awake and bustling about. Irene and Alex were bickering as usual, their voices carrying through the halls. Vanessa and Leonard sat in the garden, enjoying their morning coffee, while Mia and Evander were discussing wedding plans with Amber and Julian.

When Andrew and Eva finally made their way downstairs, they were greeted by Alex’s mischievous grin. “Well, well, look who decided to grace us with their presence. How was your night, big brother?”

Andrew shot him a warning glare, but Alex only laughed. “No need to answer. I think the glowing faces say it all.”

Eva’s cheeks turned crimson, and she quickly excused herself to the kitchen, leaving Andrew to deal with his teasing brother.

“Alex,” Andrew said in a low, threatening tone. “If you don’t stop talking…”

“You’ll what? Kill me? That’s a bit dramatic, don’t you think?” Alex smirked. “Besides, you should be thanking me. If it weren’t for my interruptions yesterday, who knows how far things would’ve gone before you made it to dinner.”

Andrew clenched his jaw but decided not to engage further. He knew better than to give Alex the satisfaction of a reaction.

Later in the day, Eva found herself alone with Irene in the garden. The two women shared a laugh as Irene recounted her latest spat with Tristan.

“Men are so infuriating,” Irene said, rolling her eyes. “But at the same time…”

“They’re hard to resist,” Eva finished for her, giggling.

Irene sighed dramatically. “Exactly.”

Eva leaned in, a conspiratorial smile on her face. “So, how are things going with Tristan? Are you two finally official?”

Irene blushed but nodded. “He finally admitted his feelings. Can you believe it? After all this time.”

Eva clapped her hands together. “That’s wonderful! You two are perfect for each other.”

“And you and Andrew?” Irene asked, raising an eyebrow. “You seem…different today.”

Eva’s cheeks reddened again, and she looked away, trying to hide her smile. “We’re…happy.”

“Oh, come on, spill!” Irene pressed, but Eva only laughed and shook her head.

That evening, as the household began to wind down, Andrew found Eva sitting on the balcony, gazing at the stars. He joined her, wrapping a blanket around them both as he pulled her close.

“What are you thinking about?” he asked softly.

Eva leaned her head against his shoulder. “Just…how lucky I am.”

Andrew kissed the top of her head. “No, sweetheart. I’m the lucky one.”

As they sat together under the night sky, their hearts full of love and contentment, Andrew made a silent promise to himself: to cherish and protect the woman who had become his entire world. For Eva, she knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, she had found her forever in Andrew. Together, they were unstoppable.