He crossed the hall, knocked softly on the bathroom door, and waited. For a moment, he thought she wasn’t going to answer.
“Estelle.”
“Come in.”
He cracked the door open and found Estelle staring at her reflection, her knuckles white where she gripped the edge of the sink.
“Hey,” he said softly. “Are you okay?”
She startled slightly, then forced a smile. “Fine. Just... preparing.”
Leo stepped behind her, placing his hands gently on her shoulders. “They’re going to love you. Both of you.”
“What if they don’t?” The vulnerability in her voice made his heart ache.
“Impossible,” he said firmly. “But even if, and that’s a big if, they’re still just people. People whose opinions can’t hurt you unless you let them.”
She doesn’t believe you,his bear observed.
I know,Leo replied.Words aren’t enough here. She needs to see it.
The distant sound of cars approaching made Estelle stiffen beneath his hands.
“They’re here!” Adara called from the living room, her voice high with excitement.
“Ready?” Leo asked, meeting Estelle’s eyes in the mirror.
She took a deep breath and nodded once. “As I’ll ever be.”
They’ll be on their best behavior,his bear said as they walked back to the main room.Remember what you told them.
I was very clear,Leo agreed.But “best behavior” means different things to different Thornbergs.
He’d called each family member individually, emphasizing the need for sensitivity and discretion. His mom had listened with her usual warmth before promising to keep everyone inline. Caleb had been calm and practical, as always. Matt had made a joke, then turned serious when Leo didn’t laugh. Kirk had simply said that he understood. Spencer, in his usual quiet way, had promised not to stir the pot. Not that he ever did.
The doorbell rang, and Adara looked to Leo for permission before racing to answer it.
“Wait,” Estelle called, hurrying after her. “Let Leo...”
But Adara had already flung the door wide open, her small face tipped up to take in the crowd on the porch.
“Hello!” she announced with the fearless confidence of a child. “I’m Adara, and this is Fizz. Are you Leo’s family?”
Leo moved quickly to stand beside her, his hand finding Estelle’s lower back as she joined them. The touch was meant to reassure, to ground, to promiseI’m right here.
Eleanor stood at the front of the group, her eyes bright with excitement even though she was clearly trying to keep her expression composed. Thaddeus stood beside her, steady and watchful in the way that always made Leo think of deep roots and old trees. Behind them were Caleb with Hannah, Matt with Tessa, Kirk with Isla, and Spencer standing slightly apart on one side.
He needs a mate, too,Leo’s bear said.
Yes, he does,Leo agreed.
“Well, hello there,” Eleanor said, crouching slightly to meet Adara at eye level. “I’m Eleanor, Leo’s mom. And yes, we’re his family.” She looked up at Estelle, her smile widening. “You must be Estelle. It’s lovely to finally meet you both.”
“Come in, come in,” Leo said, stepping back to let them enter.
They filed in with the usual Thornberg chaos, voices overlapping, children immediately asking where Snuggles was, and everyone trying to carry in food at once. Hannah came inwith her best friend’s daughters, Lucy and Aria, close beside her; once the girls heard breakfast was happening at Leo’s house, they had insisted on coming to see Snuggles.
As if summoned by the attention, Snuggles appeared from the hallway with his tail high, weaving around ankles and brushing against trouser legs as he inspected the new arrivals. Lucy bent to stroke him at once, and he accepted it as his due before winding around Adara’s feet too, purring as if he had appointed himself part of the welcoming committee.
