A few hours later…

Well, it’s evening already, the kids have finished their homework, had dinner and have gone to bed, the only thing left to do is to pick up the dishes.

Zeke kindly offered to wash them in order to help his parents.
Zeke: Don’t worry, I got this!

Zoe: (From the hall). Zeke! It’s late honey, go to bed now, tomorrow is a school day!
Zeke: Coming mom, this is the last one!

JUST ABOUT AN HOUR AFTERWARDS…

Allan: And? All asleep?
Zoe: All of them.
Allan: Zeke too?
Zoe: I hope so.

Allan: So everyone went to bed early, huh?
Zoe: Yep. For the first time in days. (Winks).

Allan: Oh, dear, this is like a miracle.
Zoe: Yeah, we better get going, we don’t want Zeke to wake up.
Allan: Your wish is my command, baby.

Allan still can’t believe it, how long has it been since he and Zoe were able to have a time alone? Weeks? Months? Truth be told, he’s lost count. Maybe the same amount of time he hasn’t had a drink… How has he been able to endure this?

Zoe: Oops, hold on.
Allan: What now.
Zoe: Zeke’s still upstairs, he’s on his way down.
Allan: Aw, no.
Zoe: Oh, yes.
Allan: Okay, I’ll go read him something quick. Catch you in ten, please don’t fall asleep, okay?
Zoe: Fall asleep? Not a chance, baby.

Luckily for everyone, when Allan goes down to the boys’ room, Anika is there, and…
Anika: Hi dad, don’t worry, I’ll take care of Zeke.
Allan: Really? But what about you? Aren’t you… tired?
Anika: I’m fine, I want to study a bit so, I’ll be here for him. You and mom can rest, no one will disturb you.
Well, it looks like it’s Allan and Zoe’s lucky night 😉.

Zoe: Al? How did you get Zeke to sleep so fast?
Allan: I didn’t. Anika was down there, she said she’d take care of him, and then she’d stay up and study.
Zoe: Downstairs?
Allan: Yes.

Allan: She also assured me that no one would disturb us so… What do you say? Are you ready?

Zoe: You’re kidding me? It’s been SO long that ‘ready’ doesn’t even begin to cover it.

Allan: Just what I wanted to hear. Well, no more waiting… Let’s get down to business.

Zoe: You think Anika will manage to get Zeke to sleep?
Allan: I honestly doubt it, that’s why we gotta hurry. We may not have much time.
Zoe: You’re absolutely right, we have to make the most of it.
Allan: Oh, we’ll make the most of it for sure.

Allan: But first, know this: I love you.
Zoe: I love you too.

Then Allan and Zoe moved from words to action. Mind you, they were careful not to be too loud. They don’t want the kids to overhear them.
(Muffled giggles sound).

Fortunately for them, Anika did get Zeke to fall asleep quickly. And Lukas is already resting in Morpheus’ arms too.

Kennedy had long since gone to bed, and Anika herself was dying of sleep, so she left the study for a later time and went to bed as well. That was one of the most peaceful nights for the Wilsons in their beloved Del Sol Valley home, when all was still peace and happiness for them. 🩷

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