Dex laughs, folding into her easily despite his size.
“Mama, I’m a grown man.”
“Oh hush,” she says, waving him off as she squeezes him tighter before pulling back to look at him. “To me you’re still rolling around in the mud with your brothers.”
I can’t help but smile.
Dex walks around the car and opens my door, his hand already there for me before I can even step out. But I barely get both feet on the ground before Lily’s arms are around me too.
“Oh, sweet girl,” she says warmly, pulling me close. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
Something in my chest softens instantly.
When she pulls back, her eyes land on Mason.
“You must be Mason.”
He straightens slightly, offering his hand out of instinct.
“Nice to meet you, ma’am.”
Lily glances at it for half a second before waving it off and pulling him into a hug instead.
“Oh, none of that,” she says warmly. “Call me Lily. And I’m so happy you’re here.”
Mason freezes for a split second, then awkwardly pats her back, like he’s not used to this kind of welcome.
When she steps back, her eyes move between us.
“Well, I’ll be,” she says, smiling wider. “You two look like twins.”
We both laugh.
As we walk inside, I feel it immediately. The warmth, the noise, the kind of love that fills every corner of a place like this. Voices overlap, laughter echoing as dishes clatter and chairs scrape across the floor, everything blending into something alive.
Mason slows beside me, his head turning as he takes everything in. He is quieter now, not uncomfortable, just taking it in like he doesn't trust something this good to be real.
The long table is already set, food covering every inch of it. Roast, potatoes, and bread still warm enough to steam. The smell alone makes my stomach churn.
Dex moves through it all like he belongs there, greeting people, clapping shoulders, pulling Mason along with him without making a big deal out of it.
And just like that, Mason is pulled into a conversation with Ethan, the two of them already arguing about college teams like they have known each other forever.
I linger for a second, watching it happen. Watching himfit.
The front door swings open again.
“Lexy!”
I barely have time to turn before Mia comes barreling toward me, her little boots thudding against the wooden floor. She crashes into me without hesitation, wrapping her arms tight around my waist.
“You’re back!” she beams, looking up at me like I just handed her the moon.
I laugh, dropping slightly to hug her back.
“I am.”
She pulls back just enough to look behind me.
