I Became a Kindergarten Teacher for Monster Babies!-Chapter 443 Date

He just shook his head, a low, rough chuckle escaping him, a sound meant to dismiss the tension, but which held too much feeling to be casual. Words felt impossible. Instead, he leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her temple. His lips were warm against her skin, a silent promise and a thank you for her presence, for being his anchor.

As he rested his forehead lightly against her hair for a second, the thought unfolded in his mind, clear and bittersweet.

I miss you, big brother. I wish you were here. I wish you were alive. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

He could almost picture it. His twin, alive and whole, standing beside him. He imagined the inevitable, amusing confusion on Alina’s face, trying to tell them apart, her laughter as she’d inevitably get it wrong. He could hear his brother’s teasing, see his identical smile aimed at her fondly.

And his sister-in-law, Lucien’s mother. A different kind of pain, sharp and protective, lanced through him at the thought. She would have been the happiest of all, he thought. She would have fussed and cried and smiled that brilliant, unguarded smile she’d reserved for her family. She would have been so unbearably, beautifully happy to see him with Alina.

He pulled back slowly, his arm finding its place around Alina’s shoulders again, holding her close.

"It’s nothing," Dante murmured finally, his voice a deep, quiet rumble meant only for her. He squeezed her shoulder gently. "Just a good memory. That’s all." It wasn’t the whole truth, but it wasn’t a lie.

Finally, they left the park, the car carrying them home in a warm, sleepy silence. The moment they stepped through the front door, the quiet house was filled with a new kind of energy. Sable and Lucien, their tiredness forgotten in a fresh wave of excitement, became tiny tour guides. They carefully unpacked each bag, holding up tiny shirts, soft pants, and the new toys with solemn importance, showing everything to Aunt Lyla. Their voices, one bright and eager, the other serious and explanatory, wove through the living room as they narrated the story of each purchase.

Aunt Lyla watched them, her heart melting, her hands itching to scoop them both up. As the display wound down, she saw her chance. She clasped her hands together, a hopeful, sparkling look in her eyes.

"You know," she began, her voice sweetly casual, "you two must be exhausted. Why don’t I take care of the little ones tonight? You both have been so busy with work and with them..." She let the sentence hang, her smile widening into something knowing and gently teasing. "You probably haven’t had a moment to yourselves."

Alina, automatically falling into her role as their primary caretaker, shook her head with a warm smile. "Oh, it’s really fine, Auntie. We don’t mind at all. We’ll take care of them."

Aunt Lyla’s face fell. The hopeful light dimmed, replaced by pure, undisguised disappointment. She had been dreaming of this, of having the boys all to herself for an evening. Of reading them stories in silly voices, of tucking them into the big guest bed with her, of being the one to soothe a midnight stir. She wanted to play with them and sleep with them and take care of them so badly it was a physical ache.

Before her disappointment could fully settle, Dante’s calm voice cut through.

"Of course you can take care of them tonight, Aunt Lyla."

Everyone turned to look at him. He was leaning against the doorframe, his arms crossed, a small, purposeful smile on his lips. His eyes met Alina’s, holding her gaze. "I was thinking," he continued, the words deliberate, "about taking Alina out."

Alina felt the words land in her stomach like a flock of butterflies taking flight. A hot, familiar flush raced from her chest up to the very roots of her hair. She could feel Aunt Lyla’s gaze swing from Dante to her, the older woman’s disappointment instantly evaporating, replaced by a look of pure, delighted, and utterly mischievous understanding. That knowing, teasing glint was back in her eyes, ten times stronger.

If I had known, Alina thought, her mind racing back to the mall, to the racks of beautiful dresses she had passed without a second glance, I would have bought something. Anything! All she had were simple, practical clothes. Now she could only regret it.

Dante pushed off the doorframe, his movement breaking the spell. He walked over to her, stopping close enough that she had to tilt her head up to meet his eyes. There was no asking in his expression. It was a quiet, confident statement.

"Get ready in an hour," he said, his voice low but clear in the hushed room.

Then, without waiting for a reply, he turned and headed down the hall, leaving Alina, flushed and speechless, under the beaming, utterly thrilled gaze of her aunt, and the curious, quiet observation of two little boys clutching their new toys.

"Go get ready!!!" Aunt Lyla practically shooed her toward the hallway, her voice bubbling with excitement. Alina, her heart still doing a frantic, happy dance in her chest, retreated to her bedroom. She closed the door and leaned against it, letting out a shaky breath. A date. With Dante. Her mind spun, then snagged on a practical problem. What on earth am I going to wear? She had nothing. Every outfit she owned was for work, for chasing children, for comfort. Nothing felt right for... for whatever he had planned.

She pushed away from the door and walked toward her closet, her mind already rifling through the limited options. But then she stopped. There, laid neatly across the center of her bed, was a bag she didn’t recognize. It wasn’t one of the shopping bags from the mall. It was a sleek, matte gray garment bag, simple and elegant.

Her brows furrowed in confusion. She approached it slowly, as if it might disappear. Reaching out, she unzipped it carefully.