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Beside me, Brock shifts forward, his jaw setting hard as he starts to speak, but I place a quiet hand on his forearm. He pauses, looking down at me, and steps back enough to let me answer.

"I understand completely, Emily," I say, meeting her gaze evenly. "If I were Kayla's aunt, I would ask the exact same question. Her well-being and sense of safety come first. Brock and I met with Principal Harrison before taking a single step publicly. The district has strict safeguards documented—independent administrative reviews for Kayla's assessments, another administrator present for conferences, and total professional separation during the school day. We know safeguards can't stop every potential rumor if people talk, but they ensure Kayla's daily classroom routine and education remain completely protected."

Emily studies me quietly for a moment, her posture softening as a small, approving smile touches her lips. "Good answer. And honestly? Seeing as you've taken wonderful care of my niece for over a year, and seeing my brother actually show up on time with someone he clearly can't take his eyes off of, I'm glad you're here. Welcome, Megan."

David offers a single, satisfied nod from the doorway. "Well said, Megan."

"Thank you," I breathe, feeling the lingering tension release from my shoulders.

Catherine claps her hands lightly. "Now that the cross-examination is officially concluded, Megan, would you mind helping me finish the glazed carrots? The men are officially banned from touching the stove."

"I'd love to," I say.

Brock pours me a glass of sparkling cider, sets it on the counter near my cutting board, and presses a gentle kiss to my temple before heading toward the living room to help his father and brother set up extra chairs.

Working alongside Catherine and Emily quickly turns easy and comfortable. We trade lighthearted stories about Brock’s stubborn habits, talk about my family back in Ohio, and laugh as Tyler accidentally drops a serving spoon while trying to sneak a roll. Throughout the afternoon, Brock circles back into the kitchen every twenty minutes—refilling drinks, taking dirty mixing bowls to the sink, and brushing his hand lightly over the small of my back just to check in.

An hour later, the front door swings open, followed by the hurried thud of small sneakers on hardwood.

"Daddy!" Kayla’s voice echoes down the hall.

Brock meets her in the foyer, lifting her up into his arms with an easy smile and kissing her forehead. "Hey, peanut. How was the drive from your mom's?"

"Good! But I told Mom we had to hurry because Miss Megan was coming!"

Brock sets her down, and Kayla runs straight into the kitchen, skidding to a halt when she spots me standing by the island near his mother and sister. Her brown eyes light up with pure delight.

"Miss Megan! You're really here!"

I crouch down, laughing as she throws her small arms around my neck in an enthusiastic hug. "Happy Thanksgiving, Kayla. Look at you."

She twirls to show off her dark green velvet dress and sparkly tights. "Grandma picked it out!" She beams at the room, then turns back to me with bright, earnest eyes. "I told Grandma in the car that you're the best teacher in the whole school."

"Did you now?" Emily asks with an amused smile from across the island.

"Uh-huh," Kayla says, looking around at the adults. "Because remember last year when Mom moved out and I was sad at school and scared nobody would sit with me at lunch? Miss Megan noticed right away. She made me her special helper for the science center and paired me up with Maya to feed the classroom guinea pig so I wouldn't feel left out. She told me that when big things change at home, it's okay to feel quiet, but I'd always have a place in her room."

A gentle hush falls over the kitchen. In the doorway, Brock goes completely still. His throat works as his gaze shifts to me, his brown eyes wide with a mixture of surprise, profound respect, and deep emotion. He had never known. It wasn't something I had ever documented on a formal report or brought up during parent conferences; it was simply what any attentive teacher would do when a child was hurting.

I offer Kayla a soft, modest smile, gently tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "You did the brave part, Kayla. You were the one who smiled at Maya and showed her how kind you are. I just gave you the chance."

"You helped me find my best friend," Kayla insists matter-of-factly, as if that settled everything. She tugs lightly on my fingers, looking up with hopeful expectation. "Are you sitting next to me at dinner?"

I glance up at Brock. The look on his face is unguarded and full of reverence, his affection for me deepening in a way that goes far beyond words.

"If it's okay with your dad," I say.

"It's definitely okay with me," Brock says, his voice thick with warmth.

Kayla takes my hand and leads me proudly into the dining room to show me the construction-paper place cards she made. She wrote Miss Megan in purple crayon with neat little hearts drawn along the edges, setting it directly between her seat and Brock's. A sweet, quiet ache settles in my chest.

Dinner is lively, warm, and filled with easy chatter. Bowls of mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, and stuffing are passed back and forth around the long wooden table. Tyler and Jason debate football rankings, Emily shares humorous stories from her law firm, and Catherine keeps everyone's plates filled. Brock makes sure Kayla’s turkey is cut up before serving himself, and whenever he reaches for a serving dish, his other hand finds mine beneath the linen tablecloth, his fingers lacing through mine in a steady, grounding touch.

After dessert, Kayla curls up on the living room sofa and falls fast asleep under a soft plaid blanket. Emily and Jason help clear the table while Tyler packs leftover containers in the kitchen. Brock carries stacks of plates to the sink, working quietly alongside his brother.

As Emily buttons her coat near the front door, she pulls me into a brief, warm hug. "I'm really glad you joined us today, Megan. Truly. You're wonderful with Kayla, and you're good for my brother."

"Thank you, Emily. That means a great deal to me."