...SERENA'S POV...

I woke up in the embrace of two strong arms, hands I've known before, their touch familiar and comforting. The scent enveloping me was pure and beautiful, drawing me in completely. As sunlight streamed in from behind him, casting his face in a familiar glow, I squinted to see him clearly. There he was, my guy, his presence filling me with warmth and joy. A smile graced my lips as I took in the sight before me.

At that moment, he opened his eyes, inhaling deeply, as if savoring my essence, before exhaling with a smile mirrored on his face. Our eyes met, and in that silent exchange, love radiated between us, filling the air with an undeniable energy.

"Good morning, Love!", he said in his raspy, morning voice. "Good morning!", I chirped, still squinting my eyes from the unwanted brightness in the room.

He chuckled softly. " You sure do hate mornings," he teased, closing the blind.

"I just don't feel like working today," I whined.

"Shall I declare it a paid holiday then?" he offered, his eyes sparkling with hope. "But remember, you'll owe me for this favor. How do you plan to repay me, love?" he asked, his tone flirtatious.

"I've changed my mind. I'm going to work!" I declared, attempting to escape his grasp. However, his strong arms pulled me back onto the bed.

"You owe me, Miss," he teased, watching me squirm in his embrace.

"No! I've already paid you enough! Let go!" I protested, continuing to struggle unsuccessfully. He leaned over me, pulling the sheet over us both.

Our laughter mixed with cuddles and kisses, accompanied by playful banter, created a feeling of warmth and excitement.

Twenty years ago, I could never have envisioned my life being so beautiful. I was an orphan, calling a small orphanage home, surrounded by other children, most of them no older than five or six.

Our orphanage was overseen by a kind-hearted couple, Sophia and Steve. Despite having their own children, twins named Sam and Dylan, they cared for us as if we were their own. Sam and Dylan grew up believing we were all their siblings, unaware of our orphan status.

At the tender age of five, I discovered the harsh truth that I had been abandoned as a child. Sophia, perhaps to shield me from further pain, chose not to give me any more details, insisting it could adversely affect me. The mere thought of being abandoned was painful enough, so I didn't press her for further information.

When I was seven, Paul and Rebecca visited our orphanage. What exactly drew them to me, I may never know, but the moment Rebecca set eyes on me, she was determined to take me home with her.

"Home. Home! Home!! Home!!!" The word echoed relentlessly in my mind. Finally, I was going to have a family of my own! It's not that Sophia and Steve weren't my family, but having a family to call my own meant everything to me at that age. I couldn't wait to have my own room. My own plates. My very own bed!! And my very first family portrait.

I vividly recall bouncing up and down on the mattress, overcome with giggles and screams as Paul and Rebecca joined in, their laughter mingling with my sheer joy on that unforgettable first day home.

My Home!