My throat burns, and I look away to hide the emotions I’m struggling to keep in check.
Isla’s voice comes in quiet. “You should feel safe in your own body, Jackson.”
That one hits too hard. I swallow, and the room blurs for a second.
Gael nods toward my watch. “And because… this isn’t just you anymore.”
I glance at him and he looks at Andres, then back at me. “You’ve got someone who loves you. Like… really loves you.”
“We all do. But Andres… he’s living it with you.” Adriana leans forward, eyes soft.
Andres's hand slides up my thigh with steady pressure. “I’m not trying to control you,” he says quietly. “I’m trying to keep you alive so that we can have a lifetime to be together.”
My chest squeezes and I stare at him, and the truth is right there, plain as day:I scared him. I scared all the people who love me.Part of me hates that because it makes me feel like a problem.
But a bigger part of me… a bigger part of me feels something else.
Loved.
Seen.
I blow out a shaky breath. “Okay,” I whisper.
Andres's shoulders drop slightly, relief immediate. “Okay?” he repeats, like he needs to hear it again to believe it.
“Okay,” I say again, louder. “I’ll make the appointment.”
Kai exhales like he’s been holding his breath since the inning change yesterday.
“Thank God,” Adriana mutters.
Gael’s mouth twitches. “Good.”
Isla smiles, soft and proud.
Andres leans in and kisses my temple slowly, like a reward.
“Good boy,” he murmurs, and I roll my eyes, but it doesn’t have heat in it today.
“Dre,” I complain weakly and that makes him smirk.
“Okay, now we need to get you food.”
I sigh. “Yeah… if I remember correctly, you told me to eat first… but then I was sidetracked.”
Kai stands abruptly. “I’ll make breakfast.”
“Oh! Pancakes!” Isla squeals, clapping her hands.
Kai leans down and kisses her belly. “Oat pancakes for everyone.”
“You good with that, mama? Or do you want me to order something in?” Gael asks Adriana, who doesn’t look too enthusiastic about the pancakes.
She gives a sheepish smile. “Can you order?” Her voice drops to a whisper.“Amor, se me antojan chilaquiles… y de paso tú también.”
The tension in the room eases, and normal conversation starts again, lighter now, like we all just survived something. Andres keeps his hand on my knee the entire time. Like he’s reminding me.
You’re here. You’re safe. You’re not alone.
