They would claim her as family,her dragon realized with wonder.Not by blood, but by choice.
“I’m scared,” Estelle admitted, turning to face him. “Not just of Margaret finding us. I’m scared of... this. Of letting people in. Of trusting that they won’t hurt us, even by accident.”
“I know,” Leo said, his eyes gentle. “And I won’t push you faster than you’re ready to go. But I wanted to be honest about what staying here means. The Thornbergs are part of this place, part of me.”
Part of what we’re choosing if we stay,her dragon added.
Estelle thought of Adara, how her daughter’s face lit up when she discovered something new, how she treasured every small connection. How much she would gain from a family that embraced her.
“Breakfast,” she said finally. “Here at your house. We can... start there.”
The smile that spread across Leo’s face was slow and warm. “Thank you,” he said simply.
“Don’t thank me yet,” Estelle warned. “I might panic and change my mind three times before it happens.”
“You won’t,” Leo said with quiet confidence. “Not because you aren’t scared, but because you’ll do it, anyway.”
His faith in her touched something deep inside her. Estelle wasn’t used to having someone understand her fear and still believe she could face it.
“When?” she asked, practical concerns taking over now that the decision had been made.
“The day after tomorrow?” Leo suggested. “That gives us plenty of time to get everything ready.”
“But not too much time to change my mind,” she added.
Leo chuckled and kissed her cheek. “You’ll be fine.”
Estelle nodded, already mentally preparing. “I should get Adara up. She’ll be hungry.”
Leo caught her hand as she moved toward the door, pulling her gently into his arms. “Thank you,” he murmured against her hair. “For trusting me with this.”
Estelle let herself lean into him for a moment, drawing strength from his solidity. “I’m trying,” she whispered.
“I know,” he said. “That’s all I’m asking.”
As they moved to wake Adara and start the day, Estelle felt the familiar weight of fear in her stomach. But beside it was something new, a small, unsteady hope that maybe family could mean something different from what it had before.
Chapter Fourteen – Leo
“This is going to be great,” Leo’s bear said happily.
I hope you’re right,Leo replied. They both knew how much was riding on this morning. He’d invited his family over for breakfast to meet Estelle and Adara.
She needs this,his bear continued.They both do. A family.
Leo glanced at the clock, then checked the oven where muffins were baking, their cinnamon-apple scent filling the kitchen. He’d been up since dawn, preparing everything with care: fresh fruit cut into neat chunks, bacon cooked crisp, coffee measured out and ready to brew.
“Is it time yet?” Adara asked, standing on her tiptoes as she peered out of the window. She’d been stationed there for the past fifteen minutes, Fizz clutched tightly to her chest.
“Almost,” Leo replied, smiling at her excitement.
She’s not afraid at all,his bear noted with approval.
No,Leo thought.Children adapt more easily than adults. It’s Estelle I’m worried about.
Estelle had already changed her outfit twice, and with every passing minute, her tension had become more obvious. A little while ago, she had slipped into the bathroom to freshen up, and now ten minutes had gone by.
“I should check on your mom,” Leo told Adara, wiping his hands on a dish towel.
