“True,” I admit, resting my hand over his heart. “I just don’t want to mess up what we’ve rebuilt. What if it puts pressure on us?”
Corbin lets out a low, warm laugh. “Jules, there’slesspressure on us now than ever. We’re stronger. We know what matters.”
I exhale, my shoulders slowly relaxing. “That’s also true.”
“I kind of miss early mornings with a newborn,” he says after a beat.
“I don’t,” I groan. “At least not the middle-of-the-night feedings.”
“Then I’ll take the night shift this time,” he replies, so easily, like he’s already made peace with the chaos.
I look up at him, startled by the sincerity in his voice. “Really?”
“Really,” he says again, smoothing a hand over my back. “You’ve carried so much, Jules. I want to carry some of it, too.”
“But you just launched your business.”
He shrugs. “And you have a thriving one. We’ll figure it out. Together.”
I smile. “Remember when Tate would fall asleep on your chest and you’d pass out watching football?”
“I do,” he says, his voice a little hoarse as he cups my cheek. “I’ve been looking for an excuse to watch football again.”
A laugh bubbles out of me, light and full. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Maybe,” he grins. “But whatever that test says… we’re ready. I’m ready.”
My gaze drifts toward the off-white wedding dress hanging by the door, sunlight catching in its delicate folds. “We’re getting married today.”
“I know.”
Tears prick at the corners of my eyes. Not from fear. Not from doubt. Just this beautiful, fragile disbelief that everything I dared not speak out loud is happening. Everything I wanted. Corbin. Tate. A home. Maybe even more.
It’s all here.
It’sfinallyhere.
The timer goes off.
My breath catches in my throat. “You ready?” I whisper.
Corbin nods without hesitation. “I’ve never been more ready.”
I reach for the pregnancy test on the counter, hands trembling ever so slightly. Corbin steps in behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist like he’s anchoring me in place. His chin comes to rest on my shoulder, warm and steady.
Two pink lines.
Clear. Unmistakable. Life-altering.
“Pregnant,” Corbin breathes, his voice thick with emotion.
“Pregnant,” I echo, and just like that, tears flood my eyes.
We both just stand there, holding each other like we might drift away otherwise. Kissing between whispered laughs and cries. Grieving the time we lost and celebrating the second chance we never thought we’d get.
Tate doesn’t just get his parents back. He gets something he’s been quietly wishing for, without ever saying the words out loud.
A sibling.
