The summer breeze drifted through the open window of the kitchen, carrying the scent of blooming flowers and the faint sound of laughter from the garden. Oliver stood by the window, watching Timothy and his sisters, Alice and Winifred, play on the lawn. At twenty-two, Oliver had grown into a tall, steady presence, with the same quiet strength that ran in his family. He smiled as he wiped his hands on a towel, peeking out to see the children running in circles, their voices filled with anticipation.

"Any minute now," he called to them, his tone light but commanding. "They'll be here soon. Come inside and get cleaned up. You don't want to meet your new sibling looking like that, do you?"

Timothy, now almost eleven, grinned but was the first to obey, calling to his sisters. "Come on, Alice, Winnie! We have to get ready."

The two girls, Alice and Winifred, giggled and darted into the house, their excitement palpable. They ran to Oliver, tugging at his sleeves, eyes wide with questions.

"Will the baby be small like a doll, Uncle Oliver?" Winnie asked, her face scrunched in wonder.

"Can we hold them first?" Alice chimed in, practically bouncing on her toes.

Oliver chuckled, crouching down to their level. "The baby will be small, but they're not a doll. And you'll have to wait your turn to hold them, all right? But trust me, you're going to love him."

Just as he stood up, the familiar rumble of a car approaching the house reached their ears. The children's eyes widened, and they ran to the window, pressing their faces against the glass.

"They're here! They're here!" Timothy shouted, his voice ringing through the house.

The car pulled into the drive, its tires crunching on the gravel. Oliver walked over to the children, placing a hand on Timothy's shoulder to calm him down. "Now, remember what I said," he reminded them, his tone warm but firm. "Wait patiently. Let them come in first."

The children tried their best to contain their excitement, bouncing in place as the front door creaked open. Jack stepped in first, his face beaming, holding the door for Rose as she followed, cradling a small bundle of blankets in her arms. The look on both of their faces was one of pure joy and exhaustion, a quiet pride that only comes with bringing a new life into the world.

"Mommy! Daddy!" The chorus of voices rang out as the children rushed forward, crowding around their parents, their eyes wide and eager.

Rose laughed softly, her face flushed with happiness, as she crouched down, showing them the small bundle in her arms. Jack stood close beside her, his hand resting gently on her back.

"Everyone," Rose said softly, her voice filled with emotion, "meet your new brother, Henry."

Timothy leaned in first, his face softening as he gazed at the tiny boy in his mother's arms. The baby was swaddled tightly, his eyes barely open, but the faintest hint of a smile touched his lips as if he could feel the love surrounding him already.

"He's so small," Timothy whispered, his awe clear in his voice. Alice and Winnie crowded around, their little hands reaching out carefully, wanting to touch but holding back out of fear of hurting him.

"Can I hold him?" Alice asked, her voice filled with wonder.

"Maybe in a little while," Jack said, ruffling her hair. "Right now, he's still getting used to being out in the world."

Winnie, her big eyes wide with excitement, asked, "Will he sleep in my room?"

Rose smiled. "He'll be in our room for now, Winnie, but one day, maybe he'll share with one of you."

The children exchanged glances, each imagining what life with a baby brother would be like. Timothy, already feeling protective of his new brother, reached out and gently touched Henry's tiny hand, marveling at how delicate it was.

Oliver stood back, watching the scene unfold with a warm smile. His heart swelled with pride, seeing his sister and her family together, strong and happy after all they had been through. Rose caught his eye and smiled, gratitude shining in her gaze.

"Thank you, Olly" she said softly. "For everything."

"Always," he replied, stepping forward to kiss her cheek gently. He glanced down at the baby and grinned. "Welcome to the family, little Henry."

The sun had begun its slow descent in the sky, casting a soft golden light over the garden as the family gathered outside. The air was warm, the breeze gentle, carrying with it the scent of the summer flowers blooming nearby. Rose sat on a cushioned chair, her body tired but her heart full. She sighed, sinking into the seat as her brother Oliver settled beside her. His presence was a comforting one—steady and familiar, always looking out for her.

"You all right?" Oliver asked, glancing at her with a knowing smile. "You look a little worn out."

Rose chuckled softly, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Worn out is an understatement. But I'm happy, Olly. Truly."

They shared a quiet moment, watching the children run around in the garden. Alice and Winnie were chasing each other while Timothy,, an eye on them. Nearby, Jack sat on a blanket with baby Henry in his arms, surrounded by their other children who peered down at their new brother with awe and love. Jack's face was alight with joy, the kind of joy that Rose had always loved in him—unabashed, pure, and utterly content.

Rose let her gaze linger on Jack. He was sitting cross-legged on the ground, the small bundle of Henry cradled securely in his arms. His rough hands, the same ones that had created beautiful works of art and built a life for them, were so gentle now as he held their newborn son. The children circled him like planets around a sun, their laughter filling the air.

"He's a natural, you know," Oliver remarked, catching Rose's gaze on Jack. "Fatherhood suits him."

Rose nodded, smiling as she watched her husband. "He's been a natural since the moment Timothy came into his life."

As she sat there, she let her mind wander, reminiscing on everything they had been through—the trials, the heartbreaks, the moments of doubt and struggle. It felt like a lifetime ago that she had been that scared young woman, unsure of her future, living in a boarding house and fighting for survival. The memories of those early days, working in Mrs. Dawson's grand house and crossing paths with Jack, flooded back to her.

She remembered the fear of falling for him, the uncertainty of their future, and the battles they had faced to build a life together. There had been moments of joy but also moments of pain—Jack's family disapproving of her, the struggle to find their place in a world that seemed determined to keep them apart.

But now... now they had come so far. She looked around at their beautiful garden, their home, the laughter of their children ringing out in the summer air. Oliver, who had once been a lost boy, was about to become a lawyer in New York City, carving out a path for himself that would lead to a better life. Jack had made a name for himself as an artist, his work respected and admired. And she, Rose, had built a family—a real, loving family, the kind she had never dared to dream of.

A part of her still struggled with the idea that she deserved this happiness. There were days when the ghosts of her past whispered in her ear, telling her she wasn't worthy of the life she had built. But sitting here, surrounded by the people she loved most, she realized that perhaps she didn't need to question it anymore. She had earned this happiness. Every challenge, every fight, every moment of resilience had brought her to this point.

"I never thought I'd have this," she said quietly, almost to herself, but Oliver heard her.

"Have what?" he asked gently.

Rose looked at him, her eyes soft. "This. A family. A home. You, here, about to become a lawyer. Jack, the children... I never imagined I'd get all of this. Some days I still wonder if I even deserve it."

Oliver reached over, taking her hand in his, his grip firm but comforting. "You do, Rose. You've fought harder than anyone I know to get here. And you deserve every bit of happiness."

She smiled at him, her heart swelling with gratitude for her brother. "Thank you, Olly. I don't know what I would have done without you."

"You would've been just fine," he teased, though his smile was soft. "But I'm glad I've been here to see it all."

Their moment of quiet was interrupted by the sound of Winnie's giggle as she ran over to them, her face flushed with excitement. "Mommy, can I hold Henry now?"

Rose chuckled, tucking a curl behind her ear. "Of course you can, sweetheart. Go and sit next to your father on the blanket."

They both turned to look at Jack again, who was now gently rocking Henry as the baby began to drift off to sleep. Jack's eyes met Rose's across the garden, and for a moment, it felt like time stopped. The connection between them was as strong as ever, the love they shared radiating across the space between them.

He gave her a soft smile, the same smile that had won her heart all those years ago, and she felt her own smile stretch across her face in return.

This was their life now—a life they had built together, a life filled with love, laughter, and the occasional chaos of raising children. It wasn't perfect, and there would always be challenges, but it was theirs. And Rose was finally ready to believe that she deserved every moment of it.

She was happy. Truly, deeply happy.