Too Late To Love Me I Already Left With His Twins (Lydia and Dave) novel Chapter 161

Ava suddenly grew quieter beside him.

Then softly she said, “I think this might become one of those memories we remember forever.”

That one landed directly in my chest.

Children said devastatingly meaningful things so casually sometimes.

I leaned over immediately and kissed the top of her head before emotions embarrassed me publicly.

Later that day, I went out again for more last minute shopping.

Not major things.

Just backup details.

Emergency outfits.

+20 Bonus

Countodon

Extra shoes.

Tay accessories.

+20 Bonus

Things motherhood convinced you were life threatening necessities three days before an event.

I was standing in the children’s clothing section trying to decide whether Eli would tolerate a slightly formal shirt. without declaring war against civilization when I accidentally bumped into someone hard enough for multiple shopping bags to fall immediately.

“Oh my God,” I bent down quickly. “I’m so sorry.”

“It’s fine, it’s fine,” the woman said immediately. “Honestly I think I was the distracted one.’

I looked up properly then paused for a second.

Because honestly?

She was stunning.

Not in that polished social media way that felt exhausting to maintain.

Just naturally beautiful.

Soft brown skin.

Warm eyes.

Full lips.

Curly hair packed into a messy bun that somehow still looked intentional.

There was a stroller beside her with the cutest little boy inside it.

Blue eyes.

Round cheeks.

Tiny curls peeking beneath a dinosaur cap.

And suddenly he reminded me so much of Eli as a toddler that my chest physically tightened for a second.

“Oh my God,” I repeated while gathering her things properly. “I’m genuinely sorry.”

She laughed tiredly.

“No honestly, it’s okay. I’ve been functioning on birthday planning stress for like three weeks.”

That made me pause instantly.

Shared exhaustion simply pulled us in the same direction naturally.

We sat down with coffee while her son aggressively destroyed napkins beside us.

“So,” she asked eventually, “how old are your twins again?”

“Turning six.”

She blinked slowly.

“You survived six years with twins?”

“Barely.”

That made her laugh loudly.

“My oldest just turned six too and honestly? I still feel confused half the time.”

“Same,” I admitted. “One minute you are teaching emotional regulation and the next minute your son is passionately arguing that cinnamon rolls are structurally superior pastries.”

She stared at me.

“…What?”

“Do not ask.”

She laughed so hard she nearly dropped her coffee.

We spent almost two hours talking after that.

Children.

School schedules.