All my fears and anxiety quickly melted away as I entered the kitchen. Jacob stood at the stove, his back to me as he flipped pancakes with careful precision. Seth leaned against the counter beside him, stealing a piece of bacon from the growing pile, his laughter bright in the morning quiet. Sunlight streamed through the windows, painting them both in gold, and for one perfect moment, everything felt almost normal.
Then Jacob turned, his smile softening when he saw me. "There you are," he murmured, holding out a hand in invitation.
I crossed the kitchen in three quick steps, burying my face in his chest. His arms came around me immediately, strong and sure, and when Seth pressed against my back, his chin resting on my shoulder, I finally let myself believe that maybe, just maybe, we'd b
