Like we used to be

Chapter 11

The family was in Michigan to soak up the final days of summer before returning to Vancouver.

At the lake house the usual summer crew was in full swing. The boys were having a game of football, while the twins ran around their giggles adding to the atmosphere.

Mila lay on a lounge chair her gaze fixed on the twins as they dashed around. Ellen settled into a chair beside her, a twinkle in her eyes. "So, has Quinn dropped any hints?" she asked leaning in with a smile.

Mila glanced over at her "What do you mean?" she asked.

Ellen's smirk widened as she leaned back, her eyes drifting over to where her oldest son was tossing the football with his brothers. "About getting engaged," she replied her voice in a whispered.

Mila's eyes widened a blush creeping onto her cheeks. "Oh," she murmured a mix of emotions swirling within her. She glanced back at Quinn, watching as he laughed with his siblings and kids, his easy smile melting her heart.

"I haven't noticed anything," Mila confessed. Turning back to Ellen with a shy smile. "But...I wouldn't mind if he did."

Ellen chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling with excitement. "I have a feeling it might happen sooner than you think," she teased giving Mila a playful nudge.

As Mila and Quinn lay in bed, the soft glow of moonlight came through the curtains. Mila turned to Quinn her voice barely above a whisper. "Your mom asked me something today," she mumbled tiredness in her voice.

Quinn turned to face her his brow furrowing with curiosity. "What did she ask?" He said reaching out to gently tuck a stray strand of hair behind Mila's ear.

Mila shifted slightly, her gaze meeting Quinn's with a mixture of nerves and excitement. "She asked if you've dropped any hints about getting engaged," she admitted her words hanging in the air between them.

Quinn's eyes widened in surprise a faint blush creeping onto his cheeks. "Oh," he murmured a sheepish smile on his lips. "I may have mentioned it once or twice," he confessed his gaze flickering away for a moment before returning to meet Mila's.

Her heart skipped a beat, a surge of heat spreading through her chest. "Really?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Quinn nodded. "Yeah," he said reaching out to gently hold Mila's hand in his. "I've been thinking about it a lot lately. About us...our future together."

Mila's breath caught in her throat at his words, her eyes shining with emotion. "I've been thinking about it too," she confessed.

The next day, the couple was woken up by the little voices of their twins.

"MOMMY, DADDY!" The twins voices echoed through the room as they scrambled onto the bed, bouncing up and down in their pajamas.

"Charlie, Lacy calm down, we don't want to wake anyone up," Mila murmured trying to stop a yawn.

Quinn remained still, seemingly unaffected by the commotion until Charlie tripped, landing on his dad. "Oh fu-" Quinn began, his sentence cut short by a groan of pain as Charlie tried to get up, kneeing Quinn in the process.

Mila tried to hold back a laugh reaching over to help untangle Charlie from his father's arms. "Careful Charlie," she said trying to hide her amusement at Quinn's half-awake state.

Quinn finally managed to sit up, rubbing his eyes groggily. "Why are you two awake so early?"

"Pancakes!" Charlie said with a smile. "Ones mommy makes with the booberrys and chips," Lacey said happily.