"I know you don't want to gain weight, so just two for you," he said, understanding her concerns.

Laura accepted his gesture with a soft murmur, her obedience clear.

Lina, watching this, laughed and turned to her husband.

"See how thoughtful Edwin is? Why can't you be more like that?" she playfully chided.

Peter was engrossed in the World Cup finals on TV when Lina's playful accusation prompted him to respond.

"If you were eighteen again, I'd be all over you," he retorted with a light harrumph.

"But at our age, too much affection just gives the young ones something to laugh at."

Lina, not missing a beat, playfully twisted his ear.

“And who's to say you haven't been showering affection on some eighteen-year-olds during your outings with Mark all those years back?

You had your fun and kept it a secret, yet here I am, still the dutiful wife at home."

Peter quickly sought her forgiveness, his pleas light-hearted.

Even Laura, who had been feeling down, couldn't help but chuckle softly at their exchange. She glanced up at Edwin and caught him looking at her, his eyes shining with an indescribable warmth and allure.

After Peter and Lina had retired for the night, Edwin took a shower in Laura's room, settling into the house as if he were already part of the family. After shower, he found his energy renewed, and they shared a moment of intimate closeness once again.

Laura lay there for a while, lost in the aftermath of their intimacy.

Edwin, still close to her, kissed her nose gently.

"Did you enjoy that?" he asked softly.

She slowly came back to reality, a shy smile on her face.

The worries that had been momentarily forgotten during their passion returned. She wrapped her arms around his neck, murmuring her assent in a daze.

Edwin continued to kiss her tenderly, his touches gentle and loving.

They didn't go further, just basked in the closeness and warmth of each other's embrace.