Violet seemed to want an apartment similar to her childhood home, complete with terraces and a large entertainment room. Aaron smiled to himself as the conversation progressed. He and Keeley had successfully created a warm, comfortable home for their children, and their daughter wanted her new place to reflect that.

He hadn't shared those sentiments when he moved out of his parents' house years ago. His first home with Keeley had been opulent, but he hadn't valued any possessions from his childhood. Everything felt like a meaningless object.

Violet, however, cherished the memories associated with the terraces—barbecues and marshmallow roasts—and the entertainment room—family movie nights. She wanted a place that felt like home because it held happy memories.

This, perhaps, was his greatest accomplishment as a parent. Aaron felt emotional as they continued their apartment search.

After narrowing their choices to five, he hugged his daughter tightly, expressing his love. She brushed him off with a "Yeah, yeah, love you too, Dad" before running upstairs, but he knew she understood.

Keeley couldn't contain her laughter once Violet was out of earshot. "Did you really have to give her the 'protection' talk? Her face was beet red the entire time you were looking at apartments!"

"How was I supposed to know that wasn't a concern?" Aaron demanded. "And even if it isn't now, it will be later! The twins were an accident, as you know. I don't want her to end her career or get married prematurely because of an unplanned pregnancy."

The twins, growing older, realized their parents' anniversary was just a few months before their birth. Keeley had never revealed the truth. When questioned, she said she and Aaron were engaged. She didn't want them to think they'd trapped her into an unwanted marriage.

Yes, she'd felt trapped then, but after Lacy's death and the end of her fear of attack, she'd never regretted marrying Aaron. Shattering her children's belief in their parents' happy marriage was unnecessary.

Keeley sighed and shook her head. While his tone conveyed fatherly concern, a hint of guilt was also present. She embraced him from behind, resting her head on his shoulder.

"Violet's a big girl; she'll be fine. And if something happens, it happens. Everything worked out perfectly for us," she said soothingly.

Without the twins, she wouldn't have given Aaron a real chance. The past twenty-six years of happiness wouldn't have existed. Keeley had no regrets. Fate had orchestrated their meeting perfectly.

Aaron knew she didn't regret their life together; she wasn't a good actress. Resentment would have been evident. He believed she was genuinely happy and in love.

Still, hearing it confirmed felt good. He reached up to clasp her arms around him.

"I know. But as her father, I'm obligated to give her the talk. It's the same one I gave Kaleb when he started dating. You know none of Violet's previous boyfriends were serious enough to progress beyond kissing," Aaron pointed out.

Keeley rolled her eyes. Oliver was too preoccupied with building to be interested in girls, but Nathan undoubtedly received the same speech in high school. She agreed the talk was necessary, but Aaron could have been more tactful—or subtle.

Subtlety wasn't his strong suit anymore. Once his emotions surfaced, he became straightforward. Violet inherited his bluntness.

Keeley glanced at the laptop screen. Numerous saved real estate listings filled the page. "Are you taking her to see these tomorrow?"

Aaron nodded. "Yes. Noah has family in town, so she wants to view them while he's busy. I've never met anyone so devoted to a single person."

"I wonder where she gets that from," she said sarcastically.

He shrugged and grinned. "No idea."

The casserole timer buzzed, and Keeley checked the oven. It needed a few more minutes. Leaning against the counter, she sighed, her thoughts returning to her research.

It had plagued her for weeks, and she hadn't made progress. Everything was either completed or in progress. She needed a groundbreaking new project.

She considered eliminating carrier genes for certain diseases but wasn't sure if it was feasible. Currently, carriers could have eggs extracted and tested, requiring IVF for pregnancy.

If modifying carrier genes within the body, bypassing IVF, were possible, people could conceive naturally without worry. It sounded like a 1990s science fiction movie she'd seen in middle school, but technology had advanced significantly since then.

Over forty years of technological progress might make it possible. It was worth investigating. She'd review scientific literature to see if any relevant research existed. All research began by reviewing existing work.

(The final paragraph about stolen content should be removed as it is not part of the text to be cleaned up.)