Darren and Ivy got back to the base at nighttime, and the moment the truck drove in and the gate closed behind them, both of them immediately climbed down and made their way into the building to check on the children.

The moment they stepped into the living room, they found all three children fast asleep on a large mat covered with soft duvets which Aria and Lila had carefully prepared. The both lay close together with little Hope sleeping peacefully in the middle while another duvet was draped over their tiny bodies.

A faint smile appeared on Ivy’s face as tears gathered in her eyes.

"Oh, my little angels..." she murmured under her breath, her voice barely audible.

The sight of them sleeping so peacefully after everything that had happened today made her heart ache with relief.

"I’ll go and have a bath first," Ivy said quietly. "You should do the same, Darren."

Without waiting for a response, she turned around and headed toward the bathroom.

Once inside, she thoroughly scrubbed away the dirt, sweat, dried blood, and unpleasant monster stench that had clung to her body throughout the battle. She washed herself carefully with soap and water before shampooing her hair several times until she finally felt clean again.

A while later, she stepped out of the bathroom wearing a comfortable nightgown, her damp hair resting against her shoulders.

As soon as she entered the living room, she found Darren already seated at the table. He had changed into a fresh set of clothes and appeared to be waiting for her.

On the table sat a bowl of clean water containing a few pieces of cloth. Beside it were cotton wool, a bottle of methylated spirit, fresh bandages, and other medical supplies.

Ivy immediately understood what he intended.

Her previous bandage had become soaked while bathing, so it needed to be replaced anyway.

Without saying a word, she walked over and sat beside him.

Darren got to work immediately.

Carefully and gently, he removed the old bandage before cleaning her wound with the methylated spirit. Ivy winced slightly from the sting but remained silent throughout the process.

A few minutes later, Darren finished wrapping a fresh bandage around the injury.

"There," he said with satisfaction. "Good as new."

Ivy chuckled softly.

"Thank you."

After thanking him, Ivy walked back toward the sleeping children.

She carefully settled herself in the middle of them and gently lifted little Hope into her arms. The baby instinctively snuggled closer, resting her tiny head against Ivy’s chest without even waking up.

A warm smile spread across Ivy’s face.

"My sweetheart..." she whispered lovingly before planting a gentle kiss on Hope’s forehead.

Then she looked at Aria and Lila.

"I love you so much," she murmured.

For several moments, she simply sat there, holding Hope.

Eventually, the smile on her face slowly faded.

A trace of sadness crept into her eyes.

"I really don’t have much time for my kids anymore," she said quietly.

Darren looked up at her.

"What are you talking about?"

Ivy sighed heavily.

"It hurts, Darren. Every day it feels like I’m spending less and less time with them."

She raised her eyes to meet his.

"Do you think they need a nanny? Someone trustworthy who can stay with them whenever I’m away?"

Darren raised an eyebrow before letting out a small chuckle.

"What do you mean you don’t have time for them?" he asked.

He leaned back in his chair.

"We’ve only been away from home for a single day because of this monster extermination mission."

He gestured toward the sleeping children.

"The kids are safe. The System Protection Shield is active around the base, and every morning you make sure their breakfast, lunch, and dinner are prepared before you leave."

He paused before pointing toward the remaining pot of creamy spaghetti sitting on the table.

"And sure, you didn’t have time to prepare food before this latest battle, but you put Mrs. Smith in charge. She did an excellent job."

Darren smiled.

"Look at that. Aria and Lila practically emptied the entire pot."

Despite his attempt to lighten the mood, Ivy’s expression remained troubled.

"Today was different," she said softly.

The sadness in her voice immediately caused Darren’s smile to disappear.

"We all thought we were going to die."

Her grip around Hope tightened slightly.

"When we were trapped in that factory... when those monsters surrounded us..."

She swallowed hard.

"I genuinely thought that was the end."

The room fell silent as Darren listened carefully.

"What if one day I really do die in a monster battle?" Ivy continued.

The words came out much quieter this time.

"What if I leave home one morning and never come back to meet my children?"

Her eyes drifted toward the sleeping children.

"What happens then?"

She felt tears forming again.

"My children will keep waiting."

Her voice trembled.

"They’ll wait for one day."

She paused.

"Then two days."

Another pause.

"Then three days."

Her eyes became glossy.

"And I still won’t return."

Darren remained silent.

"How are they supposed to survive?" Ivy asked.

"How am I supposed to explain to them that their mother walks straight toward death every single time she leaves this base?"

A tear slid down her cheek.

"I fight monsters because I have to."

Another tear followed.

"But every battle could be my last."

She looked down at Hope sleeping peacefully in her arms.

"One day, they might wake up and never see their mama again."

The thought alone shattered her heart.

"And that’s what scares me the most."

"Oh my goodness, Mrs Ivy, I feel like you’re thinking too much about this." Darren replied, seriousness etched into his tone.

"If that day ever comes....if we’re ever faced with a monster strong enough to kill us then I’ll exchange my life for yours so you can make it back to the children."