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“I thought the door was always unlocked,” Muriel says, even her voice a little thick with emotion.

“I'm getting a new back door,” Lawson says. “I understand that this system has worked for a long time, but we have someone a little more vulnerable sleeping here now,” he nods to Brewser. “And someone else I will keep safe no matter what,” he says, slipping his arm around me.

“I approve,” Beckett says.

My heart squeezes.

“Wilson,” Brewser says. “Lawson and I would also like to sit down with you and have you help us out with something.”

“Anything,” Wilson tells him.

“I’m giving the house to Lawson,” Brewser says.

I start slightly. Lawson hasn’t told me this.

“I’d actually like you to help me convince him to sell it to me,” Lawson says. “We’ve been going around and around for a couple of days.”

“I am sure we can figure something out where you give him five or ten bucks,” Wilson says.

Brewser grins and nods at his friend while Lawson rolls his eyes and shakes his head.

“I assume Brewser will still be living here,” Patty says.

“As long as he wants to,” Lawson says. He points at Wilson, the retired attorney. “I want that in any paperwork.”

“As long as I can without being a burden,” Brewser adds.

“Well then, that support and care can be in lieu of payment,” Patty says. She looks at Wilson. “Right?”

“We can certainly work all of that out,” Wilson says.

Brewser focuses on me. “You’ll always have your place with Beckett to escape to. But this is partly up to you. Whatever happens in Lawson’s home affects you.

My heart flips over at that, and I start to shake my head.

But Lawson shifts in his chair, turning to face me more fully. “Yes, Sutton. It does. Whatever ever happens to me, affects you.”

I see this sincerity in his eyes and feel it in my bones.

This is for real. For good.

I look at Brewser. “I am so happy to help you however I can.”

“That’s not what I’m asking, honey. I know you well. Do you want to live in this big old house? Make this your home with Lawson?”

I feel tears sting, and I have a hard time swallowing.

Family and home. A happy, loving, supportive family, and a home where everyone wants to be—that’s all I’ve ever wanted. And that is definitely this place, with these people.

“Only if everyone here promises to come to dinner like this once a week,” I manage to get out.

“We can definitely do that,” Harley says.

“You don’t have to twist my arm,” Alex says.

“Oh,” Beckett says, sounding disappointed.

I look at my brother. “What’s wrong?”