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Amari on the other.

Michael in front.

Serenity in his arms.

Everybody smiling.

When we first moved, Zion had asked where Daddy’s picture was.

I’d gone through my phone that night, found one I liked and had it printed.

Whatever Xay had been to me⁠—

he was their father.

I would never take that from them.

Levin came beside me.

His shoulder brushed mine.

Neither of us said anything.

Outside, Zion screamed because Amari had apparently turned the hose on him.

Michael came running through the living room with another cookie he definitely wasn’t supposed to have.

Serenity started fussing because she’d finally gotten herself onto her knees and couldn’t figure out what the hell came next.

My phone buzzed again.

I didn’t reach for it.

Not yet.

I just stood there.

In my new home.

With my children making entirely too much fucking noise.

Laundry waiting to be folded.

Dinner getting cold on the counter.

A man beside me who I loved but wasn’t ready to belong to.

A date tomorrow night with another man I barely knew.

A sister I was learning how to love differently.

A best friend who still ate my groceries without permission.

Parents who showed up every single time I needed them.

A career I had worked too damn hard for.

A future I hadn’t figured out yet.