Juliet and Ivy arrange the kitchen with ruthless efficiency. Sable sets up Dad's bedroom exactly how he likes it, down to the angle of his reading lamp, while the hockey players rebuild furniture and hang pictures. Only a few dishes break in the process, which feels like a victory.
"I need a beer," Thorne announces around six. "Who's with me?"
"You're not abandoning us now," Mollie says. "We're almost done."
"Beer would help us work faster."
She gives him the stink eye. "That's absolutely not true."
They're still arguing when Hunter returns with a couple cases of beer and a ton of empanadas. We eat standing up or sitting on boxes, too tired to care about proper dining arrangements. Dad holds court from his new recliner, telling embarrassing stories about my childhood that have everyone laughing at my expense.
"She used to practice her stretches everywhere," he says. "Grocery store, bank, middle of restaurants. Just drop into a split like it was normal."
"Dad, please stop."
"One time she got stuck in a backbend at Target. The fire department had to come."
"That's not even true!"
"Close enough to the truth," he says with a grin. It reminds me why Mom fell for him all those years ago.
As the sun sets, people start filtering out. Hugs and promises to check in soon get exchanged at the door. Jessa and Ivy leave together, debating the best route home. Mollie drags Thorne out, still somehow bickering about music choices. Beck heads to the gym because apparently moving furniture doesn't count as a workout.
I’m pretty sure he’s insane.
Finally it's just family. Sable braids my hair while we sit on Dad's new couch, her fingers gentle and familiar. Silas, Jett, and Hunter break down empty boxes in the kitchen, their voices a low rumble of conversation. Dad dozes in his chair, worn out from the day but smiling even in sleep.
"You did good, Scout," Sable says quietly. "Letting people help. That's growth."
"It doesn't feel like sacrifice anymore. Taking care of Si, I mean. It feels good."
She hugs me from behind. "That's exactly what it should feel like."
Hunter and Jett leave first, clapping Silas on the shoulder with some brotherly comments I don't catch. Sable follows soon after, promising to bring dinner by for Dad tomorrow.
"We should go too," I tell Silas. "Let him rest."
Dad wakes when I kiss his forehead goodbye. "Thank you, sweetheart. For everything."
"I love you, Dad."
"Love you too.” He looks at Silas. "Take care of my daughter, Silas.”
“Always.”
In the car heading home, I let the day wash over me. My body aches from lifting and carrying, but my heart feels fuller than it has in years.
"Your brothers are good people," Silas says, taking my hand over the center console.
"Our people," I correct. "They're ours now."
He squeezes my fingers. "I like the sound of that."
Back at the condo, we collapse on the couch. I curl into Silas's side, breathing in the scent of pine mixed with moving day sweat.
"Thank you," I say.
“Of course, baby.”
