My Best Friend’s Sister Ran Up Beside Me… Then Grinned, “You Always Make Girls Chase You?”
Chapter 9
Parenthood tested them more than anything else.
Sleep became precious.
Work became harder.
Plans changed constantly.
There were days when neither had patience.
One night, they argued over childcare.
“I can’t keep doing everything.”
“Neither can I.”
“I know.”
They stopped.
Then laughed.
They were both exhausted.
Ethan sat down.
“I’m sorry.”
“Me too.”
They held hands.
That became their rule.
Never end the night angry if honesty could fix it.
Grace grew.
They celebrated birthdays.
School events.
Family trips.
Olivia’s career continued.
Ethan’s company expanded.
They remained supportive.
One year, Olivia was offered a promotion in London.
It was huge.
Ethan looked at her.
“You should take it.”
She stared.
“You keep saying that.”
“Because it’s true.”
“What about us?”
“We’ll figure it out.”
She smiled.
“Still?”
“Always.”
But this time, Grace was older.
Moving countries became complicated.
They discussed it carefully.
Eventually, Olivia accepted.
The family moved to London for two years.
Ethan worked remotely.
Grace attended school.
They created a new life.
It wasn’t easy.
But it became an adventure.
They traveled across Europe.
Learned new routines.
Made friends.
Their marriage became stronger because they experienced something unfamiliar together.
One evening, they stood outside their London apartment.
Grace slept inside.
Olivia leaned against Ethan.
“I used to think love was chemistry.”
“And now?”
“It’s logistics.”
He laughed.
“That’s romantic.”
“I’m serious.”
She smiled.
“Love is choosing someone’s life, not just their heart.”
Ethan kissed her.
“That’s why I married you.”
They returned to Chicago after two years.
Ryan hugged them.
“You’re finally home.”
Olivia smiled.
“Yes.”
Grace ran through the house.
Family welcomed them.
Their lives settled again.
Then Ryan’s father died unexpectedly.
The family gathered.
Grief changed everything.
Ethan supported Ryan.
Olivia supported her mother.
The experience reminded them how quickly life could change.
It made them more intentional.
They stopped postponing things.
More vacations.
More family dinners.
More phone calls.
More time.
Ethan realized that success wasn’t simply achievement.
It was presence.
Olivia understood the same.
Their careers remained important.
But family came first.
One night, Olivia asked:
“Do you remember when I first teased you?”
Ethan laughed.
“About girls chasing me?”
“Yes.”
“What did you think?”
“I thought you were trouble.”
She smiled.
“And now?”
“Now I know you are.”
She kissed him.
“Good.”
