After a while, the kids pull back, chattering excitedly about the wedding.When will it be?Where?Can they be in it?Can Lily wear a princess dress?
"We haven't figured any of that out yet," Evangeline laughs."We literally just decided like ten minutes ago."
"Twenty," I correct."We were busy for a few minutes after."
She elbows me, blushing again.The kids giggle, even if the younger ones don't fully understand the implication.
"How about we all go get ice cream to celebrate?"I suggest."My treat."
The response is immediate and enthusiastic.Within minutes, we're piling into the SUV I bought specifically for this crew.Kids buckled in, music playing, everyone talking over each other.
I glance at Evangeline in the passenger seat.She's smiling, relaxed in a way she wasn't even a few weeks ago.Healing.Moving forward.
Building a future instead of running from the past.
At the ice cream shop, we're that family.The loud one with too many kids who can't agree on flavors.The one that takes forever to order and makes a mess at the table.
And I love every second of it.
Lily insists on sitting in my lap while she eats her strawberry cone.Emma and Sophie are debating the merits of different toppings.The boys are trying to see who can eat their sundaes fastest.
Evangeline watches them with soft eyes, her hand finding mine under the table.
"Happy?"I ask quietly.
"So happy I'm scared it's not real."
"It's real, Angel.This is our life now."
"I know.It's just hard to believe sometimes.That we made it here after everything."
I bring her hand to my lips, pressing a kiss to her knuckles."We made it because we fought for it.And we'll keep fighting for it, whatever comes."
"Nothing's coming," she says firmly."The threat's gone.We're safe."
"We're safe," I agree.
And for the first time in my life, I actually believe it.
Not because I'm naive enough to think nothing bad will ever happen again.But because I know that whatever does come, we'll face it together.
This family we've built from ashes and pain and love?It's unbreakable.
* * *
Later that night, after the kids are finally asleep and the house is quiet, I find Evangeline on the back porch.She's wrapped in one of my hoodies, staring up at the stars.
I settle beside her, pulling her into my side.She comes willingly, head resting on my shoulder.
"Thinking about anything specific?"I ask.
"Everything.Nothing.Just how different life is now compared to six months ago."
"Good different?"
"The best different."She tilts her head to look at me."I was so scared when Marcus and Calla died.Scared of what would happen to the kids, scared of what being around you again would mean.And now I can't imagine any other life."
"Me either."
