"And I'm sorry." Linda's voice cracked slightly. "I'm sorry I blamed you after the engagement party. I'm sorry I've been so critical of your relationship with Mac..."
Tears were burning. "Mom—"
"After watching Brad destroy you, I couldn't handle the thought of you being hurt again. So I looked for problems. I assumed things." Linda took Rachel's hands. "But sweetheart, you're not making mistakes. You're building a life with someone who clearly adores you."
Rachel hugged her mother, both of them crying.
"So you approve of Mac?" Rachel asked.
"I'm getting there. Ask me again after I interrogate him more thoroughly over lunch." Linda smiled. "But honey? He looks at you like you're the most important thing in his world. That's a good sign."
Rachel
By 1 PM, the furniture was being moved in. Mac, Cole, and Tyler tackled Rachel's bed frame.
Forty-five minutes later, they'd somehow assembled it completely upside down.
"How did three professional athletes manage this?" Rachel asked, laughing from the doorway.
"The instructions are terrible," Mac protested.
"They're in English with pictures."
Jamie appeared with his phone. "YouTube video. This is going in the team group chat."
They reassembled it correctly while Jamie documented their shame.
Sophie ordered pizza for lunch; ten large because hockey players ate like they were preparing for hibernation.
Everyone gathered in the living room. Leah sat next to Jamie on the floor, both absorbed in some animated conversation about organizational systems pros and cons.
Rachel noticed Sophie had gone quiet, gripping her coffee cup tighter than necessary.
"They're hitting it off," Rachel said quietly to Sophie.
"Mmm," Sophie said, her voice carefully neutral. "I should check if anyone needs refills."
She disappeared into the kitchen before Rachel could press further.
Oh no.
Cole stood, getting everyone's attention. "Mac and Rachel, you've been through hell this week. But you're here. Together." He smiled as he said it, eyes crinkling at the corners. "Welcome home, Rachel. You're one of us now."
The team erupted in applause.
"Group hug!" Luke announced, and the team piled on them inchaotic affection.
By 4 PM, everything was unpacked. Rachel's books lined the shelves. Her clothes hung in their closet.
Rachel Morrison no longer lived alone.
Linda and Leah prepared to leave.
"I'll visit next month," her sister announced, looking at Jamie. "To check onRachel."
"I can show you around town," Jamie said. "We have a library and two coffee shops. That's basically it."
"Sounds perfect."
