Chapter 114
“Actually, I have no clue what lalf these buttons do,” she admitted.
Adam’s mouth quirked up at one corner. “How about a proper first drive? I can walk you through everything.”
“Us too?” Lily piped up, vibrating with hope.
“Obviously,” Adam replied, his expression softening the way it only did for the kids. “Can’t test a family car without the whole crew.”
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Ten minutes later, they were settled–kids buckled in back, Adam beside Irene in the passenger seat.
“Where to?” she asked, adjusting her mirrors.
“Take the coast road,” Adam suggested. “Good mix of driving conditions.”
As they pulled away, Adam began explaining everything–the adaptive cruise control, lane assistance, and the entertainment system that had the triplets completely entranced.
“This button here,” he said, leaning across to indicate a control near her hand.
Irene pressed it, surprised when her seat adjusted to better support her back.
“Memory settings,” Adam explained. “You can program different positions for different drivers.”
The scent of his cologne registered suddenly as he reached to adjust something on her dashboard. The car’s front seat felt surprisingly intimate with both of them in it.
Adam seemed oblivious, focused entirely on the navigation system. His voice remained steady while Irene found herself oddly distracted by details she normally ignored–the clean angles of his profile, the precise way his hands moved as he demonstrated
features.
“The child locks control from here,” he continued, pointing to another button. “And this limits the audio in the back, for when you
need them to focus.”
“You know a lot about this model,” Irene observed.
“My company partners with the manufacturer,” he explained. “We reviewed the safety features when designing the accessibility controls. My engineering team tested everything.”
From the back seat came excited discoveries as the triplets explored hidden compartments with the enthusiasm of archaeologists finding ancient treasures.
“Secret Pocket in the door!” Lucas announced.
“Bigger one under the seat!” Alex countered.
Lily leaned forward between the front seats. “You should name the car, Mom.”
“Name it?” Irene gled in the rearview mirror.
“Yeah! Every Important thing needs a name!” Lily insisted, eyes bright.
What do you suggest?” Adam asked, turning slightly.
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Chapter 114
Lily tapped her chin thoughtfully. “Something blue and happy!”
Alex leaned forward, ever practical. “Can we talk about the engine instead?”
Adam surprised Irene by explaining the car’s mechanics in terms the five–year–old could understand, breaking down complex concepts with unexpected patience.
By the time they circled back home, Irene felt much more confident behind the wheel. The navigation no longer seemed impossible, and she’d memorized the essential controls.
As they pulled into the driveway, Thomas emerged carrying what looked like car accessories.
“Perfect timing,” Adam called to him. “Let’s get those installed.”
Thomas held up several items–a dash cam, trunk organizers, and tablet mounts for the back seats.
“What’s all this?” Irene asked as she stepped out.
“Just some practical additions,” Adam replied. “The tablet mounts prevent car sickness. The organizers keep emergency supplies handy.”
Irene watched Thomas efficiently install each item, struck by how thoughtful each selection was. Everything focused on safety and convenience–exactly what a mother of three would prioritize.
“Thank you,” she said simply. “This is really helpful.”
Adam nodded once. “Thomas can program your garage door opener too, if you want.”
Irene felt a smile tug at her lips. “That would be great.”
As Thomas worked on the final adjustments, Irene found herself watching Adam with the triplets. He was answering Lucas’s endless questions about engines with surprising patience, even pulling up specs on his phone when asked for details.
Days passed in a comfortable rhythm, and before they knew it, the evening of Samantha’s birthday celebration had arrived.
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