The morning of their trip, Keeley and Aaron frantically prepared, ensuring they had everything they needed. Neither had ever traveled with babies before, and they were exhausted by the time they picked up Robert and reached the airport.

Violet and Kaleb protested their confinement in their car seats, crying during the baggage check. Even their pacifiers offered little comfort. The car seats, considered checked baggage, joined the suitcases on the conveyor belt. Once released from their restraints, however, they were much happier.

"You two are so spoiled," Keeley sighed, watching them gurgle contentedly.

"You were exactly the same as a baby," her father reminded her. "You never wanted to be put down either. They get it from you."

She ignored his comment, focusing on retrieving rattles for the twins to play with during the lengthy security line.

Traveling with babies proved more challenging than anticipated. Their hunger pangs coincided with boarding time, resulting in tears until everyone was seated and they could be fed.

Luckily, they fell asleep soon after takeoff. Keeley leaned back in her comfortable first-class seat, putting on headphones. Her father did the same, while Aaron expertly managed his e-reader one-handed, holding Violet with the other.

The hour-and-fifteen-minute flight passed quickly. The twins slept the entire time, only awakening to demand diaper changes upon disembarking.

Keeley and her father kept the babies entertained while Aaron collected the rental car. After what felt like hours (but was probably only thirty minutes), he returned, driving them to the city's finest hotel.

Two cribs awaited in the Hales' room, a testament to the hotel's thoroughness. Robert's room was across the hall. They divided tasks—unpacking and feeding the babies—agreeing to meet later for a city walk.

Keeley tested the bed's mattress, finding it as luxurious as those at home. No wonder Aaron had insisted on such an expensive hotel.

She found she no longer minded such luxuries as she once had. First-class flights, expensive hotels—it was about comfort, not status. He still embraced budget-friendly outings like visiting Niagara Falls, and that mattered most.

Aaron had repeatedly reassured her that her lack of romantic love for him was acceptable, yet their relationship felt unbalanced, even disregarding that. In their first life, she'd contorted herself to fit his world; now, he was doing the same for her.

However, he seemed far more comfortable with this shift than she ever had been. He'd even mentioned enjoying her enthusiasm and being swept along by it in the past. Still

He fulfilled her desires with minimal request in return. He claimed his happiness stemmed solely from being with her, but was that truly the case? Was he genuinely happy?

Watching him prepare Kaleb's bottle, he appeared content. For months, he’d been more expressive. He looked happy, but she couldn't be certain.

"Aaron, are you really okay with all of this?"

"All of what?" he asked, without turning.

"My lifestyle. It's so different from what you're used to—my friends, my dad, the things we do…" Keeley trailed off, feeling awkward.

Aaron set down the bottle, crossing the room to take her hands. His dark blue eyes were warm, stirring something in her heart.

"I love the life we have now," he said emphatically. "I never truly enjoyed high society; it was just familiar. Your friends are genuine, like you. You know I like your dad. And I've always loved experiencing things through your eyes. This is beyond my dreams, so don't worry about me."

While she believed him, she teased, "Even though you don't usually like the restaurants I pick?"

Aaron shrugged. "A small price to pay. Seriously, Keeley, I couldn't be happier. Relax, we're on vacation."

His words eased her anxieties. She pulled him onto the bed, rolling to face him. Their foreheads touched.

He gazed into her eyes, a smile playing on his lips. He always seemed to enjoy her initiating affection.

"Promise you're not just saying that to make me feel better?" she whispered.

Aaron linked his pinky finger with hers, a gesture from their college days. "Promise. I love you, and everything that comes with it."

He kissed her quickly before attending to Violet's needs.

Keeley smiled, watching him tenderly soothe their daughter. She never would have imagined this Aaron in their first life. Given a second chance, he'd broken the cycle of familial coldness.