She looks up at me. Those blue eyes are tired, but they’re not empty. “Getting there.”
Callum stands abruptly. “We’re going to make this right with Ben. But we can’t sit around moping.”
Tania raises an eyebrow. “What do you suggest?”
“I don’t know yet.” He grins, but there’s no humor in it. “But sitting here feeling like shit isn’t helping anyone.”
Silas clears his throat. “We have something to celebrate.”
Tania looks up at him. “Do we?”
“You said you’d stay. Permanently.” He pauses. “I want you to stay after the year is up, if you still want to.”
I didn’t know she’d said that to him.
She uncurls from the chair, and her bare feet hit the floor. “I still want to.”
“Yeah?” Callum doesn’t look convinced.
“Yeah.” She stands fully. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Relief hits me so hard, I have to take a breath. I didn’t realize how much I needed to hear her say that after everything that just happened. She’s still choosing us.
Callum crosses to her in three steps. He doesn’t touch her at first. He just looks at her face like he’s memorizing it.
“You’re sure?”
“I’m sure.”
He exhales. “Good. Because I need you to stay.”
She blinks. “Callum, you don’t need me.”
“I’m serious.” Callum runs a hand through his hair. “You make me want to stop running. I’ve been running my whole life. From Dad. From rules. From anything that felt like being caged. But staying with you doesn’t feel like a cage. I want to be wherever you are. I love you.”
Silas stands and joins them. “And I love you, too, Tania. I’ve spent my entire life doing what I was supposed to do—what was expected. You’re the first thing I’ve wanted just for me.”
Tania’s eyes are glossy.
“I want you because you make me feel like I can choose freely and my life won’t all fall apart,” Silas finishes.
She’s crying now. Silent tears run down her cheeks.
I stand from the arm of the chair. “My turn?”
She nods, wiping her face.
I take her hand. “I’ve spent my whole life being the easy one. The fun one. Making everyone laugh so they don’t see what’s underneath.” I thread my fingers through hers. “But you see the real me. And you don’t just want the easy parts. You want all of it. And I’ve never had that before.”
Her free hand comes up to my face. “Evan.”
“I don’t want to be chosen because I’m convenient, Wifey. I want to be chosen because I matter.” I kiss her palm. “And with you, I know I do. And that’s why I love you.”
She pulls me down and kisses me. Hard. Then she turns and kisses Callum. Then Silas.
When she pulls back, she’s smiling through the tears. “You three give me something I’ve never had—stability that’s real. A home that’s mine.” She meets their eyes. “I love you. All three of you.”
Silas wipes her cheek with his thumb. “And this love is what we should celebrate.”
