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“Show them the pictures, doofus.” Bash teased.

Charlie rolled her eyes and handed me the folder.

The house was white, two stories with a large attic. Impressive bay windows were at the front and back, filling every room with warm natural light. The first floor held a spacious living room, a formal dining room, a bright home office, and a large, open kitchen that overlooked the backyard. A guest bedroom and bathroom were off to the side, near the staircase that led to the second floor.

Upstairs had three additional bedrooms that shared a second full bathroom—plenty of room for a growing family. The finished attic offered even more space—perfect for a playroom, studio, library, or an extra guest room, if we decided to finish it.

French doors off the kitchen opened onto a stone patio, easily large enough for a barbecue, an outdoor dining table, and evenings spent with family and friends. Beyond it stretched an expansive garden bordered by old stone walls, with a little cottage tucked quietly among flowering trees.

“It’s perfect.” Lilah breathed as we turned to a photograph of a sun-drenched room overlooking the back garden.

“Would make a great studio,” I said as Charlie and Fee exchanged proud smiles.

“How?” Lilah asked, looking between us, completely overwhelmed. “What do we do?”

Before I could answer, Charlie leaned forward.

“So, it went to a county tax auction. Bash bought it. The title paperwork is still being finalized, but if you want it, we’ll have everything transferred into your name.” I stared down at the photographs, unable to find the words. Bash gently took the folder and slid another page toward me.

“The land’s the real prize,” he said. “Ten acres, backed by protected woodland. One way in, one way out. Nobody is overlooking you. It’ll stay private because no one can build behind you.” Now we were talking. Privacy and natural protection. Plenty of room for me to add extra securities, customize it to my specific wants and needs. The long driveway hidden beneath the trees. It was everything I would look for before he ever considered the house itself.

It really was perfect for us.

“I don’t know what to say,” I replied honestly. It was perfect. Everything I didn’t know I wanted or needed in a property. It felt like too much, but at the same time, nothing would ever be good enough for my wife. This gave us a chance to start our lives together, build and customize it to our exact wants and needs. To have privacy, but remain close to the people we care the most about.

“Say you’ll take it and move on to the fun shit,” Fee replied, watching me with her quiet gaze.

“I could lecture both of you about not letting your pasts determine what you think you deserve today or tomorrow, but I don’t need to. Instead, I’m going to drag these two away for a bit so you can have some time alone.” Fee leaned over the table, her hand covering our clasped ones.

“Take a look around at all the people gathered here today to celebrate you. Understand that every one of us is here because we love you, we’re happy for you, and we’re invested in the future you’re building together. Being part of this day is a gift for us just as much as it is for you. We get to keep you close, to watch you grow, and to know that you’re happy. We’re family, and we take care of each other.” Lilah had tears in her eyes at Fee’s speech.

The three of them stood up. The Williams siblings looked put out that they weren’t going to get an answer right away, but they let Fiona drag them away.

“What do we do?” Lilah asked me, her eyes flicking to the photos still set out in front of us.

“We go take a look. Make sure it’s what we want. Then we sign the papers,” I told her, Fee’s words rattling around my brain. I wasn’t going to let my shit ruin my future with Lilah, wouldn’t let pride or shame taint what we were building.

“Really?” she asked, her eyes wide with surprise.

“Do you like it?” I asked, and she nodded before managing to speak.

“Of course! I mean, we should see it in person and do all the responsible things, but I trust your friends.” She paused, looking out at the dance floor.

“Trust our friends—no, our family,” she said, a soft smile on her face as Birdie’s giggle rang out, Charlie chasing her around the dance floor while Atlas, Bash, and Fee watched.

Seph sat in a chair next to Reaper in his wheelchair. Guard and Cece were seated at the table with them, all four laughing as Guard told a story that involved wild hand gestures and several colorful exclamations.

Bull and Logan were seated on a bench with Star, the three of them having a hushed conversation. Match and Roxie danced closely on the floor, as if no one else in the world existed.

Everyone there had proven time and time again, in every action and every word, that they had our backs. They proved family wasn’t about blood or lineage; it was about choosing each other everyday. Family was what you made of it, who you chose to include in it. And I had a fucking amazing one.

“Alright, then. We’re getting a house,” I told her. A smile formed on her face as she leaned close, her hair falling forward as she closed the distance between us.

“Most of my life, it was never really mine, you know? I was always living it for someone else, trying to make other people happy. No dreams of my own. Just a constant fear of never being enough. Nothing could have prepared me for this. For you.” Lilah’s eyes filled with tears as she spoke, my hand slid to the back of her neck, holding her in place.

“You changed my life, Eliot. More than I can ever express. Thank you for giving me this, for giving me a future and a family. I love you so fucking much.”

“I’ll spend the rest of our lives making sure that you’re happy, that you’re safe, and that you’re loved. Didn’t exist before you, Angel. Now, I only exist for you,” I told her before crushing her to me. Our kiss carried a promise neither of us needed to speak aloud—a promise of forever.