I moved to her side, taking her hand in mine. "He is, Mom. Absolutely perfect."
Sofia smiled at me over the baby's head.
Meredith got to talking with both my mom and Ivy, and I stepped to the side, watching as Sofia and Grayson changed Marcello's diaper.
"They're good people." Jackson's voice was so soft I almost missed it as he stepped behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. His chin rested on my shoulder, and I leaned back against him, taking comfort in his solidness.
"They are," I agreed, noting how Grayson cast us a look, the corner of his mouth quirking a little higher.
I hoped he approved, although Jackson opting not to hide his affection for me in a room of my family made me all warm and fuzzy.
This really was becoming an actual thing.
Maybe I needed to take a page out of Meredith's book. To embrace the good where it was despite the risks. Sure, being with Jackson and a part of this family would come with risks, but it would be worth it.
Especially with seeing how happy everyone was.
"We should let you rest, Anna," Sofia said gently after Anna had some more time with little Marcello. The sun was nowbeginning to set outside, and I knew mom had to be getting tired.
"But we'd love to visit again, if that's okay," Meredith jumped in.
My mother nodded, her eyes already drooping with fatigue. All this socialization and getting to know one another had taken it out of her. "I'd like that very much."
As Sofia and Meredith prepared to leave, I felt a strange sense of peace settle over me. Not completion—there were still too many unresolved questions for that—but acceptance. This was my life now: complicated, messy, filled with new family.
And it felt right.
27
ELENA
Ilay in bed, tangled in sheets that still smelled faintly of Jackson. Two months ago, I was drowning in secrets and suspicion. Now, I had my own place in Ironstone. My name on the lease. My life… mine. I glanced at my watch—the sleek silver one Jackson had given me, reminding me about the time I'd been stranded at that bus shelter with a dead phone and he'd given me a lift. When things between us had really taken a shift, and he'd realized he was falling for me. Him saying that had made me smile.
"So you'll never lose track of time again, and know that our time together is one I find precious," he'd said with that half-smile that still made my stomach flip. He'd also promised I'd never find myself taking transit again, not with him around. So far, he'd kept that promise.
The ceiling above me was still unfamiliar, but it didn't feel foreign anymore. The Donatis had made sure I was taken care of. A part of me still flinched at how easily I'd accepted their help. But another part, the tired, aching part, was just grateful.
Ivy had a job now where she waitressed at one of their clubs. It was safer than the places she used to haunt. She hated theuniform but liked the tips. Said it kept her close enough to the fire to feel useful, but not close enough to burn.
I sighed, closing my eyes as I pondered my new life. How much it had changed. I had family now, siblings, ones who wanted to be there. They visited my mom a few times a week, and sometimes I'd hang out with Meredith after work. I'd even gone over to Grayson's house with Ivy, the four of us women spending time with little Marcello while Jackson, Grayson, and Leo all shared drinks and talked shop.
Leo was one person I was still uneasy around, but he didn't fault me for it. I was Meredith's family, therefore he was treating me as such, with respect and niceness that caught me off-guard still.
The bathroom door creaked open, making my eyes snap open. Steam curled out like a sigh, and I rolled over to get a good look. Jackson stepped into the room, towel slung low on his hips, water glistening on his chest.
Holy Hell.
My breath caught—ridiculous, considering how many times I'd seen him like this. But he still did that to me.
"You should get ready," he stated, smirking knowingly. "We've got breakfast plans."
I didn't move. Just watched him, the way his muscles shifted as he dried his hair, the way his eyes flicked to me and softened. The black ink of his tattoos contrasted sharply against his skin, wrapping around his forearms and biceps in intricate patterns. My eyes traced the burn scars that peeked over his shoulder, a reminder of everything he'd survived. "Come back to bed," I murmured as heat flushed through me. "Just for a minute."
He chuckled but didn't hesitate. That was the thing about Jackson. When he wanted something, he didn't waste time pretending otherwise anymore. He dropped the towel, crossed the room, and climbed back into bed in seconds. He caged me inhis arms, his body hovering over mine as he gave me that wicked smile that made my legs weak.
The one that promised a whole lot of sin.
"Did I take your breath away again, princess?" he teased, and I ran my hands up his chest, biting my lip as the muscles flexed beneath my fingers.
