It was Herman''s scent-there was no mistaking it.


    After so much time together, Anastasia noticed it right away, even in the dark. She reached out for the light, but before she could flip the switch, the room suddenly shimmered to life.


    Tiny lights, like scattered stars, twinkled overhead—a sea of fairy lights strung across the ceiling, mimicking a gxy just for them.


    Anastasia looked up in surprise, warmth blooming quietly in her heart. Before she could say anything, strong arms slid around her waist from behind, pulling her close into that familiar embrace.


    It was Herman. His warmth, his breath-he surrounded her, his presence wrapping around her like a favorite nket. The heat of his breath brushed her neck, sending a ripple of shivers down her spine.


    Leaning back against his chest, Anastasia nudged him, teasing, "You really treat me like a little kid sometimes, you know? Trying to cheer me up with something this... childish. I can''t believe you actually thought of this."


    First it was the silly plush orange, and now the starry lights-Herman really wanted to give her every kind of romance.


    He smiled, lips brushing her ear. "I heard there''s a butterfly migration in Yunnan Valley-millions of them, all at once. It''s supposed to be breathtaking. Want to go? Or we could chase the northern lights, look for fireflies, see ciers... Wherever you want, I''ll go with you. As far as you want."


    These were the kinds of things Anastasia used to read about in novels-fairytale romance she never dared to dream of. In real life, most grand gestures came with a price tag.


    But Herman? He didn''t have to worry about money.


    He could give her all the adventures she wanted.


    Whenever the city felt too loud and crowded, they could slip away-find wildflowers on a mountain, watch snow fall on a cier, let the world slow down for just the two of them.


    Anastasia turned in his arms, looping her hands around his neck, breathing in his scent like she couldn''t get enough.


    No one knew how much she wanted to be close to him.


    In this darkness, she wanted nothing more than to hold him, to tangle up with him, and forget about what everyone else thought.


    As long as he still wanted her.


    She rose on her tiptoes, pressing a tentative kiss to his lips-testing, careful, unsure if he''d pull away or... worse, look at her differently.


    But he didn''t. Instead, Herman deepened the kiss, his warmth and love pulling her out of every shadow.


    Under the soft glow of the "stars," they lost themselves in each other, letting their bodies say everything their words couldn''t.


    And gazing up at him, his handsome face haloed by fairy lights, she finally felt at peace.


    ***


    Morning crept in with gentle sunlight.


    Anastasia woke to the sounds of kids giggling and ying in the hallway.


    "Big brother, let me y with the truck!" Emmie''s sweet voice rang out.


    "No way, trucks are for boys," Nancy retorted, ever the little tough guy.


    Herman''s voice floated through, gentle but firm: "Nancy, y nice and share with your sister..."


    Anastasia smiled, eyes still closed, wrapped in a sense of pure


    contentment. She could picture it all without even leaving bed-the two little troublemakers running wild, Herman trying to y referee probably at his wit''s end.


    Then she heard him call, "Hey, your big sister''sing!"


    Instant chaos-two sets of little feet thundering down the hall, running for their lives.


    Those kids were always a little afraid of Pattie, their big sister-a healthy respect, she supposed.


    Stretching Anastasia threw off the


    covers just as Herman walked in grinning from ear to ear. "Morning, gorgeous. Looks like you slept well-you''re absolutely glowing."


    She shot him a look. "Please. That wasn''t all sleep, and you know it."


    Herman justughed. "Emmie and Nancy heard Pattie was up and bolted. Now she''s chasing them. Hide-and-seek is their favorite game."


    It was true those two loved hiding, yelling out hints so Pattie could find them, or cramming behind the curtains with their heads covered and their little butts sticking out.


    Kids-so weird, so adorable.


    Herman''s eyes lingered as he took in


    Anastasia in her whitece


    nightgown, the V-neck dipping low


    hugging every curve. Her skin


    glowed in the morning light, he


    waist soft and inviting, hair a perfect mess on her shoulders.


    He couldn''t help himself-he slid closer, ran his hand gently down her side,


    making her blush. "Herman! It''s the middle of the day, behave."


    He grinned, shameless. "I behave badly only with you." He buried his face in her


    chest, clearly enjoying every second.


    Anastasia rolled her eyes, halfughing, half exasperated.


    "Honestly, you''re such a mammal."


    And mammals, well... they always had a thing for certain assets.