The Schnabels were quite the lively bunch, and Stirling''s return home was marked by a rather unconventional wee-a brand-new pack of diapersnding smack on his face the moment he stepped through the door.


    Brushing off the unexpected greeting, Stirling''s gaze fell upon the two little whirlwinds wrestling on the couch, instantly draining any frustration he might have had. The elder, with his hands on his hips, dered with all the seriousness a child could muster, "I''m a boy, and the nanny said only my kids can carry the Schnabel name. Yours will have to take your husband''s!"


    The younger retorted with a scoff, "At least I''ll be sure my kids are mine. Who knows about yours?"


    The barb hit home, and the older child''s tears came rushing out. "I''ve read so many forum arguments, howe I can''t win against my sister?" "Because you''re a numbskull," his sister shot back. "Believing such divisive nonsense from the nanny. Look at our family; the most cherished isn''t even a boy!"


    Realization dawned, and the tears halted at the brink. Indeed, the Schnabels'' favorite was none of their sons.


    "But why would she say that?" the older sibling wondered aloud.


    "To see you make a fool of yourself!"


    Plotting revenge on the nanny, the two kids quickly shifted gears.


    Stirling cleared his throat, "...Are these two Ulrich''s? Who thought it was funny to hit me with a diaper?"


    Peeking from behind the staircase, a little one sheepishly admitted, "Uncle Peregrine, sorry, it was my diaper."


    Sienna rushed to Stirling, barely recognizing her son. "Why do you look so... tough and tanned?"


    Stirling, having notified only Marcel of his desert adventures, spun around for his mother''s inspection. "Mom, I''m fine."


    Sienna''s eyes welled up at the sight of her son, grown and changed. The diaper culprit, seeking forgiveness, clung to Sienna''s legs. "Grandma, don''t cry. Uncle Peregrine is a hunk!"


    Noe introduced the children: "This is La, Beckett''s daughter. And these are Daren and Ophelia, Ulrich''s."Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org.


    After years of frail health, Darcy Sinir hadn''t expected much improvement. Yet, a trip brought them La, a gift from above, ording to Beckett.


    Home now brimming with kids, Stirling joyously embraced the chaos, showering them with affection.


    Noe warned, "Don''t underestimate La because of her age. She''s a little schemer."


    Stirling scoffed, "She''s just a kid. I can handle it."


    ra counted down, "3, 2, 1..."


    Stirling''s yells echoed through the house, soon found suspended in a kid-engineered trap.


    La dered, "Dad said Uncle Peregrine was tough. If he got caught so easily, he must be an imposter."


    The kids, realizing their mistake, tearfully apologized to Stirling, who couldn''t help but forgive their earnest faces. "No harm done, Uncle Peregrine is fine. You kids just enjoy yourselves."


    At Noe''s cough, the little conspirators quickly resumed their dinner, innocence stered on their faces.


    Truly, they were undeniably Schnabels through and through.


    "That move is straight out of daily practice!"


    Malvina sighed, "Those three are only scared of Noe''s darling, otherwise, they''d be too big for their britches." Sienna''s gazended on the spot next to Stirling, "When are you bringing her home to meet mom?"


    Stirling grinned, "I''ll fetch her from


    the Antarctic tomorrow! Just in time for Noe''s wedding! Perfect timing since Imperial City is in the throes of winter, will cool her off a bit."


    Stirling had sped through his training camp in the desert to make it back in time for Noe and Palmer''s wedding!


    After dinner, Noe wrapped a scarf around her neck, grabbed the lunchbox Sienna had insisted she take, and drove off to the Pock Group.


    On a snowy night, the world was cloaked in pristine white, the moon obscured by the snowkes, while streetlights cast a golden glow.


    A man in a ck coat emerged from the Pock Group building, finishing up with his secretary. Catching sight of Noe standing by the car his gaze softened instantly.


    Annie knew to y it cool, "The boss''sdy is here to pick you up, I''ll be heading off then."


    Noe was the shining star of the Pock Group!


    Her arrival meant it was officially quitting time!


    Palmer approached her steadily, making his way to Noe standing in the snow.


    Removing his gloves to take Noe''s hand, Palmer''s voice trembled almost imperceptibly.


    "Why didn''t you wait in the car? It''s cold out here."


    "Just a few minutes, I wanted to see youe out."


    Bending to hug Noe, opening his coat to share his warmth, Palmer murmured, "Is it not cold, or did you miss me?"


    "Both."


    It was about confirming Noe''s


    wishes, as well as affirming... that the happiness within his reache amidst the stormy night, was genuinely there!


    Behind him was an endless abyss of darkness, yet aheady the snowy path home.