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"Yeah," Gio said matter-of-factly, before gently placing a sloppy kiss on Cree’s forehead. My heart clenched. This right here? This was everything.

I kissed the top of his head, tears prickling the corners of my eyes. Gio was always going to be my baby. Even though I wasn’this biological mother, my love for him ran deep, and I would do everything in my power to make sure he always knew that. No matter what happened between me and his father.

Later that night, after tucking Gio in and finally getting Cree settled, I found myself in the backyard letting the cool Phoenix air fill my lungs. Holding a glass of wine to my lips, I took a quick sip, reflecting. Creed joined me not long after, hands stuffed in his pockets.

"You’ve been quiet," he commented, his voice low.

I sighed, resting a hand on my belly, a habit I hadn’t yet stopped since Cree was finally out of it. "Just thinking."

"‘Bout what?"

I turned toward him. "I think it’s time for me to start looking for a place in California."

I watched as his entire expression shifted. "Serenity?—"

"Just listen," I cut him off gently. "It’s not about running away, Creed. It’s about doing what makes sense for me. For Cree. I just… I feel like I need to be near my family. I need to start figuring out my life outside of… this."

His jaw clenched, and he stared at me for a long moment before looking away, exhaling sharply.

"You don’t have to go all the way to California," he muttered. "If you don’t want to stay here, we can find another place in Phoenix. A fresh start."

I sighed. "It’s not just about the house, Creed. It’s about us."

He turned his gaze back to me, searching my face.

"And what about us?" he challenged.

I hesitated before speaking.

"I think we need to figure out who we are apart from each other," I admitted. "We jumped into this so fast in the beginning, and I never really got the chance to know myself outside of being your girl. And you… you need to figure out who you are outside of a relationship."

He exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand down his face before shaking his head.

"I don’t need to figure out shit," he grumbled. "I know exactly who I am. And I know I don’t want you to move to another state and take my daughter with you. I already gotta deal with not seeing Gio on a regular basis, now Cree too? Nah."

“I don’t agree. I believe you especially need to figure yourself out. You jumped from being in a relationship with Gianna straight to me. Who are you outside of a relationship? What does that Creed look like? The one who taking care of himself, putting himself first over others?”

“I feel like you making excuses now.” He chuckled, harshly. “If you don’t want me then say that.”

“That’s not what I’m saying. If I didn’t want you, I wouldn’t even be having this conversation with you. I would be gone already, hell I wouldn’t have even come.”

"So what, Serenity?" he snapped, voice rising slightly. "You’re just gonna leave? Just like that?"

I looked away, not having an answer for him. Because yes. That was exactly what I was planning to do. He must’ve sensed my hesitation, because his expression softened, and he leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees.

"Look," he started, rubbing his hands together. "I get it. I do. You feel like you need space, and I respect that." He paused. "But just… not yet."

I lifted an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

He ran a hand over his head.

"I planned a trip for us," he admitted. "Just the four of us. I rented a private villa. Time to just… be. Without distractions."

I swallowed hard. "You think a trip is going to change things?"

"I don’t know," he said honestly. "But I do know I want time with you before you make up your mind."

I sighed, searching his face.