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Brooks sat on the edge of the window bench near her feet, reaching for one. “That’s what I wanted,” he said, rubbing slow circles into her ankle. “A place that felt like peace. Felt like you.”

Tears pricked her eyes. “You really did it. I was so scared to let go of my house, Brooks. That space meant everything to me.”

“And now it’s gonna mean everything to that newlywed couple you rented it to.” He glanced up at her with a soft smirk. “You paying it forward.”

She chuckled. “You think they’ll be happy there?”

“They better be. That house been blessed with your energy, peaceful, soft, stubborn... little bougie.”

She smacked him with a pillow, but the laugh that escaped was warm and wide. “Shut up.”

“You made a home for yourself back then. I respect that,” he said. “But now, you don’t have to do it alone. We get to build together.”

Taylor looked around again, this time seeing more than walls and design choices. She saw baby shoes at the front door. Birthday balloons tied to the fence. Matching Christmas pajamas. Burnt Thanksgiving sides. Morning coffee with her robe slipping down one shoulder.

“We’re throwing the biggest first birthday right out there,” she said, pointing to the custom patio space. “Bounce house, grilled food, cute-ass balloon arches, matching outfits... DJ in the corner.”

“That’s why I had the outdoor sound system andextra parking added.” Brooks grinned. “Keep playin’, this gon’ be the house everybody comes to.”

She smiled at him, deeply. “You really went all in for us.”

She’d built a life on standing alone, even when she had Tyree around. He had never been active participant in their future. Brooks never hesitated to see a need and handle it. He was proof that love didn’t have to swallow you to hold you. That she could keep her fire and still let someone in.

“I did,” he said. Then he paused, looking at her belly, then back at her. “Taylor... you wanna marry me?”

She blinked. “Brooks.”

“Not today,” he said quickly, rubbing the back of his neck. “Just... think about it for me. I know it ain’t even been a long time, but I want you to know I’m serious about this. I want you to have my last name.”

She stared at him, lips parting, eyes wide and wet. “You tryna marry me because I’m pregnant?”

He scoffed. “No. I’m tryna marry you because I love you. Because when I look at this house, and you in it, feet up and full of baby, it feels like the ending and beginning of every prayer I ain’t even say out loud.”

Taylor sucked in a breath, one hand clutching her chest. “If I wasn’t already pregnant, I’d say that’s what you were tryna do.”

“I just want you to know where I stand. This ain’t temporary. This ain’t a placeholder. You’re it for me. Always have been.”

She smiled, leaning forward to kiss him. “Ask me again when I’m not bloated and wearing maternity clothing with no bra on.”

He chuckled. “Bet.”

He looked around the home they now shared, hands sliding protectively over her belly. “Forever starts here, my love.”

Taylor nodded; she was exactly where she was supposed to be. This wasn't her first try at happiness. But it felt like her first time choosing it on purpose.

Outside, a dog barked in the distance. The world kept moving, but in here, with her foot in Brooks’ hand, his thumb moving in slow, gentle circles across her swollen skin, time stood still. Home was him. Home was them.

Chapter 30

September 6th

“Push, Taylor! One more big push!”

Taylor gripped Brooks’ hand with crushing force, her face contorted in pain and determination as she bore down with everything she had left. Sweat dampened her hairline, and tears mixed with perspiration on her flushed cheeks.

“I can’t,” she said, falling back into the pillows. “I can’t do it.”

“Yes, you can,” Brooks said fiercely, his voice low and steady in her ear. “You’re the strongest woman I know, remember? You got this, baby. One more push and our child is here.”