Hours later, after they release me, Kasen drives us home in silence. I'm exhausted, emotionally drained, but there's something settled inside me that wasn't there before.
At home, he helps me into bed, messing with the pillows and blankets until I'm comfortable. I watch as he strips down to his boxers and crawls in behind me, his body curving around mine. His arm slides around my waist, his hand coming to rest on my belly where our son moves around like he’s trying to kickbox his way out of my stomach.
"This okay?" he murmurs against my neck.
"So okay," I tell him, already feeling safer with his warmth against my back. I can let go and all my muscles relax while I melt into his strong body.
I study our joined hands in the dim light, the way his tattooed fingers spread protectively over my stomach. This man who called my doctor because he noticed I was working too much, who held my hand through every contraction and test tonight without question, who's now cradling us both like we’re his whole world.
"I love you," I say, and for the first time, there's no fear in it. No hedging or qualifying. Just truth.
He leans up and over until his eyes find mine. "I love you too, Pink."
"I want this to be real," I continue, the words tumbling out easier in the dark. "Not just for the baby. I want us to be real."
"We are real," he says, his thumb tracing patterns on my palm. "We have been for a while now."
"Yeah." I take a deep breath. "And I'm sorry I've been working so late. It wasn't about the work. It was about being scared of how much I need you."
His expression softens. "You don't need me, Wren. You're the strongest person I know. But that doesn’t mean it’s wrong to want me.”
"Very wise words, James."
"I have my moments." He leans down, pressing a gentle kiss to my lips. "Now, how about that lasagna?"
"It's midnight," I point out.
"So?"
I laugh, feeling lighter than I have in weeks. "So bring on the lasagna. And then you're telling me everything about your day, including how you ended up trading texts with my assistant."
"It's not a big deal," he admits with a grin. "Kieran and I have a group chat. Reed’s in it too.”
"You're all ridiculous," I say, but I'm smiling.
"And you love us anyway."
"Yeah," I agree, settling back against the pillows as he heads for the kitchen. "I really do."
As I lie there, listening to Kasen moving around downstairs, I realize something fundamental has shifted. Not just in how I feel about him, but in how I see myself. I'm still Wren Callan, CEO of Cascade Craft Distribution. I'm still independent, driven, capable of anything I set my mind to.
But now I'm also a woman who's chosen to let someone in. Who's building a family with a man I never expected to love. Who's discovered that trust isn't weakness, and partnership isn't surrender.
When Kasen returns with two plates of something that smellsamazing, I'm ready for all of it. The uncertainty, the joy, the terrifying beauty of sharing my life with someone else.
"Verdict?" he asks, watching me take a bite.
"Delicious," I admit, moaning around the perfect blend of cheese and sauce. "You nailed it this time."
"This time?" He smirks. "I nail it every time, Pink. You just love to make me work for it."
"Humble as always," I tease, but I'm already going back for another bite. And he brought me a crispy corner square because he’s the best.
As we eat together in bed, talking and laughing, our son rolling and kicking between us, I think about Kieran's words from earlier. There's a difference between needing someone and choosing someone.
I choose Kasen. And for the first time in my life, that choice doesn't feel like giving up anything.
It feels like coming home.
