"You didn't tell me you were getting better," she whispers.
I glance over at Jake, who shrugs. "Thought you'd want to see it for yourself."
We sit on the back porch, eating Chinese and watching the sun dip low behind the trees. It feels normal. It feels like home.
Brentley's cracking jokes, Jake's rolling his eyes, and Mom's already planning when she can come back with a casserole. There's laughter. Genuine laughter. And I'm a part of it again.
The air smells of soy sauce and pine. Crickets are chirping as the sun dips lower. I feel the evening breeze on my face, and it's the first time I don't shrink from it.
When the moment feels right, I clear my throat. "I need to tell you something."
Jake leans forward, already knowing what I'm going to say. Brentley stops slurping his noodles. Mom sets down her cup of tea. The air goes tight, and everyone seems to feel it’s going to be big.
"Lucy's pregnant."
Mom gasps, her hand flying to her chest. Jake smiles slowly, knowingly. Brentley lets out a low whistle.
"Holy shit."
"Watch your mouth," Mom snaps automatically, even as she smiles.
"And I'm going to marry her," I add, my voice firmer than I expected.
Brentley chokes on his drink, coughing. Jake grins wider, while Mom's eyes fill with tears.
"Does she know that part yet?" Jake asks, amusement in his voice.
"Not exactly."
They all laugh, and for the first time in a long time, I do too. It bubbles up in my chest and spills out before I can stop it. The sound surprises me. It surprises all of us. But it feels good.
"That look on your face… you really love her,” Mom says, almost a whisper.
"Yeah. I do. I almost lost her. Twice. And I don't want to waste another second pretending like I don't know what I want."
Mom's smile trembles. "I always knew it was her. Even before this last deployment. When you'd talk about building that house with the porch swing. Your voice always changed when you said her name."
Mom pauses, and all I can do is grin happily.
"Then tell her," Mom says. She reaches across the table and squeezes my hand. "We'll be right here, cheering you on."
Taking a breath, I look toward the pathway that leads to Noah's place next door.
She's there.
I hesitate. My pulse hammers in my throat. What if she doesn't feel like she belongs here? What if I say the wrong thing? What if this perfect picture I'm trying to paint doesn't fit?
But then I see her walking with Noah.
She's walking toward us, the wind tugging gently at her hair, her hand resting protectively over her belly. My chest tightens at the sight of her. There's something about the way she moves, as if she's both fragile and unbreakable all at once.
As Lucy and Noah walk toward us, they follow my gaze as I nod toward the pathway.
Lucy steps onto the porch in one of those soft sweaters that fall off her shoulder, hand instinctively on her bump. Her steps are hesitant, and her eyes scan the group nervously until she sees my mom smile. Then she breathes easier.
Brentley is on his feet first. Of course he is. He bounds over to her with zero chill, wrapping her in a bear hug before she can say a word.
"Welcome to the madness. We have no rules and too much dessert."
