"Everything okay?" I ask, trying to sound casual.
"Perfect," Mom says, squeezing Maya's shoulder. "We were just having a conversation."
Maya meets my gaze and nods, a small smile playing at her lips.
Dinner is takeout because nobody has the energy to cook, and honestly, nobody cares. We crowd around the table. Emma, with Sofia sleeping in a bassinet beside her chair, Chase with Ethan on his lap, trying to eat mac and cheese without making a mess. Max eventually decides to join us, jumping onto the windowsill to supervise and judge our food choices.
"This is nice," Emma says quietly, looking around the table with soft eyes. "All of us together."
"We should do it more often," Mom says, stealing a spring roll from my plate. "Before I have to fly back to Calgary."
Chase shifts Ethan higher on his lap. "How long are you staying?"
"Another week. I want to make sure Sofia's settled before I leave."
"Translation: she wants to hog her granddaughter," Emma teases, but there's no bite to it.
"Accurate," Mom agrees shamelessly. "Completely accurate and I'm not apologizing for it."
After dinner, after Ethan's been wrestled into bed and Sofia's been fed and changed, we collapse in the living room with that bone-deep tiredness that only comes from good days. Mom's holding Sofia. Chase and Emma are curled up together on the loveseat, and Maya's tucked against my side on the couch.
"I have something to say," Mom announces, and everyone looks at her because when she uses that tone, you pay attention.
"I'm proud of all of you." She looks at each of us in turn. "Emma, for surviving a terrifying pregnancy and bringing this beautiful girl into the world. Chase, for being the partner Emma deserves, for stepping up every single day."
She turns to me. "Jackson. For finding your way back to what matters."
"Hockey?" I joke because I can't help myself.
"Family. Love. The things that last longer than games, longer than championships." She turns to Maya, and her expression softens even more. "And you. For surviving hell and coming out stronger, for refusing to let what happened define you."
Maya's hand finds mine, squeezes tight.
"Also," Mom continues, a smile tugging at her lips, "I'm thrilled that you two finally figured out what everyone else has known for years."
"Mom..."
"I gave you that pendant," she begins to tell me, ignoring myprotest. "Told you to give it to the person you love most. Took you long enough."
Maya's blushing, cheeks pink in the lamplight. "He was worth the wait."
"I should hope so. I raised him better than to waste a decade being an idiot."
"Thanks, Mom," I say dryly.
"You're welcome, sweetheart." She stands carefully, hands Sofia back to Emma. "I'm going to bed. You all should, too. Tomorrow's going to be exhausting."
She kisses Emma's forehead, pats Chase's shoulder, hugs Maya longer than necessary, and squeezes my arm as she heads upstairs.
Emma yawns five minutes later. "I'm going to put her down before she wakes up screaming for food."
"Want help?" Maya offers, already halfway off the couch.
"No, you've done enough today. Go be young and in love or whatever." She grins. "Just quietly. Mom's room is right above yours, Jackson."
"I hate you," I tell my sister.
"No, you don't."
