“You’re finally here!”
“I am.”
“Charlotte’s having a baby.”
I laugh. “I know.”
“The baby is a boy.”
“I know that too.”
She narrows her eyes suspiciously.
“Are you excited?”
“Very.”
“Have you picked a name yet? Charlotte said you’d decide together.”
“We haven’t had that conversation yet. But you’ll be the first to know when we do.”
“Okay. Good.”
I set her down, and she’s gone immediately, already moving on to whatever has her attention next as she heads inside.
Marcus hangs back.
“Good to see you,” he says.
“Good to see you too.” I pause. “And thanks for everything. I know it hasn’t been easy with Mum here.”
He shrugs. “That’s family. We take care of each other.”
I nod once and head in after them.
Mum and Charlotte share a look.
Then Mum turns to the girls.
“Why don’t you go play outside for a bit while your dad and I catch up with Dane and Charlotte?”
Zara is already moving before she finishes the sentence. Isla lingers for a moment, taking in the room, then follows her out.
Marcus moves to the window and looks out toward the beach.
Charlotte sits beside me, and I take her hand without thinking. I've barely stopped touching her since I got here. Every time she's out of arm's reach, I find myself reaching for her again.
Mum settles into the chair across from us. “I’m glad you’re finally here. Charlotte’s missed you.”
“I’ve missed her too.”
She looks down at her hands, then back at me.
“Charlotte and I have talked. She told me everything.” A small pause. “All of it.”
She holds my gaze.
“Whatever exists between you two, that belongs to you. Not me. Not anyone else.”
