Music drifts through the first floor. I recognize the song before I see them.
Lenzin and Lucy are on the couch, Lucy half standing on the cushion, half dancing, like she hasn’t decided whether the song requires choreography or pure silliness. Lenzin’s arm is around her, loose but secure, the way you hold someone you’re afraid will fall, and that hurt will be shared. He’s singing softly, careful with the words. Lucy is not.
“Upside down,” she belts, spinning once before dropping back into his side.
When she spots me, she grins, wide and proud.
“This is mine,” she announces, pointing decisively between herself and Lenzin. “Mine and Faulker’s.”
I stop short.
His eyes go wide, just for a fraction of a second, like something vital has hit him square in the chest. He swallows. His hand tightens at Lucy’s back.
“That’s right,” he manages, voice steady. “Our song.”
Lucy nods, satisfied, and turns back to the music like the matter is settled for good.
“Dinner in five,” I say, smiling through the emotions it stirs. Hell, the emotions the whole day has inspired.
We eat at the kitchen island, the one that’s seen more shared meals than I think Lucy or I have ever had. Dinner is simple. Rice, vegetables, lean protein. I’ve watched what he eats in season without meaning to, the way attention sneaks up on you when care is already present.
Lucy swings her legs beneath her chair.
“I don’t likeRainbowanymore,” she says suddenly, and my chest tightens.
Lenzin stills. “Why’s that?”
She shrugs, pokes at her food. “It makes me sad.”
I wait.
“It reminds me of my old mom,” she says, matter-of-fact. “She used to sing it to me at night.”
Lenzin’s fork pauses midair. His eyes flick to me, checking, careful. I give him the smallest nod.
“So, we picked a new song,” Lucy continues, brightening. “Home.”
My chest tightens, sharp and warm all at once.
“Hildy found it,” she adds proudly. “We learned it all day. She’s gonna make it my go-to sleep song.”
“All day?” Lenzin asks softly.
“When we cleaned the sick rooms,” Lucy says. “And when we took care of Anna. Because that’s what family does.”
The word lands heavy. But the way Lenzin looks at her makes me know, without question, he wants that too. From what Anna has said, he’s never felt it with his own, and I suspect neither has she. Which means she is welcome to be ours too. And that should be completely and utterly insane, to have feelings for a man and also adore his ex.
Lucy looks at him then, really looks, her head tilting like she’s considering something important.
“You’re my family now too,” she tells him.
He doesn’t answer right away. His throat works.
His eyes shine, unguarded. He reaches out, covers Lucy’s hand with his own. “I am. And you are mine now as well.”
Lucy beams and goes back to eating, chicken… unbreaded.
They watchCurious Georgewhile I go over a few emails from my classes next semester. When Lenzin hears the song, I hear him whisper-sing it in her ear. She beams, and my heart feels it open just a little bit more, without fear this time.
