Chapter 207
Aunt Ava nods slowly. Uncle Rowan too… But their eyes say they’re not convinced.
“And are you recovering well?” Uncle Rowan asks, gaze flicking to my cast.
“Yes,” I say, grateful for the safer topic. “The doctor said I’m healing nicely p>
Damn. I’ve had dinner with Aunt Ava and Uncle Rowan more times than I can count, and it’s never been this awkward. I’ve always been able to relax in their presence, yet now I can’t. My body is so wired that I feel like I’m going to burst out of my skin.
“Grandma, do you think animals can sense babies?” Nova asks out of nowhere.
My heart stops mid–beat.
Aunt Ava blinks. “Why do you ask, my love p>
“Nolan thinks the lion we saw could sense Sierra’s baby p>
Aunt Ava is quiet before finally answering, “I’m not sure… but some say they can p>
“Oh,” Nova says thoughtfully. “Maybe we should go back to the park again and see if he really can p>
She slides her father a side–eye.
Uncle Rowan smiles. “Sounds like you all had a good time. If you want to go back, we can arrange it p>
“It was fun,” Nova says brightly then she adds without hesitation, “And a lady said we looked like a real family. I liked that a lot.” 1
Silence slams into the table. My fork clinks softly against my plate and Noah’s hand clenches on his knife.
Aunt Ava gives them a smile.
“You are a real family,” she tells them gently. “You, your dad, all of us. And anyone else who cares about you p>
Her eyes find mine again, my heart twists and I look away.
We continue eating in silence and when dinner is done and the table is cleared, the twins drag their grandparents into the living room to show them drawings and toys and a new board game Nolan insists they learn.
A few hours later, Aunt Ava and Uncle Rowan finally stand, brushing invisible crumbs from their clothes as the evening winds down.
“We should get going,” Aunt Ava says warmly. “It’s getting late p>
Uncle Rowan turns to me with that gentle smile he’s worn for years. “Si, we can give you a ride home. You should rest p>
My heart drops straight into my stomach. Panic surges through me so suddenly I forget how to breathe. I stare at them like a deer caught in headlights, scrambling internally for a lie that won’t ruin my entire life.
Before I can even open my mouth, Nolan speaks.
“No,” he says firmly, standing up as if he’s defending a courtroom case. “She has to read us a bedtime story p>
Aunt Ava raises a brow. “It’s getting late, Nolan. She needs to go home and rest p>
“No…” Nova’s voice wavers, and then she explodes into a full meltdown. “No! She can’t go p>
Noah’s head snaps toward his daughter. Then toward me. Then toward his mom.
“It’s okay, Mom,” he says quietly, but with that dark, steady tone that always ends an argument. “She’ll read them a story and then I’ll take her home myself p>
I don’t have time to think because Nova is practically climbing onto my lap, sobbing.
I gather her close, whispering into her curls, “Hey… sweetheart… it’s okay. I’m here. I’m not going anywhere yet p>
Her little body softens instantly. She leans back, tear–streaked face trembling. “Promise p>
“I promise,” I whisper.
She breathes out, relieved, and clings to my shirt.
When I look up, Aunt Ava and Uncle Rowan are staring at me like I’ve grown two heads.
They exchange a look. One of those wordless conversations only long–married couples have, before Uncle Rowan clears his throat.
“Well… if that’s the case p>
“Yes,” Aunt Ava sighs, eyeing Noah and me with narrowed interest. “I suppose we should head home then p>
We walk them to their car, the twins bouncing alongside us like nothing catastrophic almost just happened.
I hug Uncle Rowan first, then turn to Aunt Ava. Her arms wrap around me tight. Tighter than they have in years. When she pulls back, she lingers close with her hand resting on my arm. 1
Her voice drops into a whisper. So soft only I can hear.
“I don’t know what’s happening between you two…” Her eyes flick briefly toward Noah, then back to me. “But I’m glad it is… It’s about damn time.” 1