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And so had they, she thought. She could still remember the version of herself who arrived in Phoenix Ridge, cold and closed off, convinced love was a distraction she couldn’t afford. That woman wouldn’t recognize this version of her. The one who danced in the kitchen on Sunday mornings. The one who volunteered at school science fairs. The one who tucked in her daughter every night with a kiss and a whispered,I’m proud of you.
Giselle reached for Addie’s hand. "You know this still feels unreal sometimes, right?"
Addie smiled, lacing their fingers together. "Then I guess we’re living a dream."
Brunch with Josephine Mars and Ember Thompson was everything they expected—laughter, chaos, and a whole lot of love. Natalie and Sophie had been best friends since they were six, and now, at eleven, they had their own language of inside jokes, beach games, and synchronized eye rolls.
Ember set down a pitcher of fresh-squeezed juice, rolling her eyes as Natalietried to sneak a second muffin. "Save some for the adults, Nat."
"Adults eat too slow," Natalie said, grinning.
Josephine, the ever-composed head of Phoenix Ridge Hospital, shook her head fondly. "You'd think running a hospital would be more exhausting than parenting, but I'm not so sure anymore."
"You could always borrow Clover," Addie offered with a wink. "He's an excellent babysitter-slash-instigator."
After brunch, they took a walk down the beach with Alex and Madeline, who had driven in just for the morning. Alex brought out kites, much to the delight of the girls, and Madeline shared stories from a complicated neonatal case she’d just wrapped up.
The sun was high and bright when they all finally parted ways, full of hugs and promises for a movie night soon.
Later, as the house settled into a rare hush, Giselle and Addie curled up on the couch, Sophie sprawled between them witha book in hand. Clover lay across all their feet, snoring.
"We should go to that cabin in Sedona next month," Addie murmured, fingers brushing circles into Giselle’s palm.
"Let’s do it," Giselle said immediately. "I’ll block the OR time."
Addie raised an eyebrow. "You’ll give up a whole week of surgeries for vacation?"
Giselle grinned. "Don’t act so shocked. I like the life we built. I want to actually live in it."
Addie’s expression softened, and she leaned in to kiss her—slow and sweet. Sophie groaned dramatically.
"Ew! Moms kissing alert!"
Giselle pulled her daughter in for a noisy kiss on the cheek. "Someday you’ll think it’s romantic."
"Not anytime soon!" Sophie giggled, wriggling free.
Outside, the sun dipped low on the horizon, casting the room in amber light. Addie rested her head on Giselle’s shoulder, and Sophie settled back into the couch, her book open again.
And Giselle? She sat still for a longmoment, her arms around her family, her heart full.
This wasn’t just a happy ending. It was a beginning. The beginning of every beautiful, ordinary, perfect day to come.
She had been wrong all those years ago. Love wasn’t a distraction.
It was everything.