Page 36 of B.D.E: Falling Hard For A BBW

Ivy

“There she is,” my mother’s voice came from behind me.

I turned and saw her, dressed in the soft blue dress she used to wear to church, curls pinned back, smiling at me. Beside her stood my father, arms folded, looking at me like I was still his baby girl. The ache in my chest loosened.

“Mama? Daddy?” My voice cracked.

She stepped forward and cupped my face, her hands just as warm as I remembered. "I always knew you had your father’s fire, baby. But your heart is just like mine."

“We’re proud of you, Ivy,” Daddy said. “You fought hard. For yourself. For love. For your future.”

I blinked, trying to understand. “You know about ? —"

Mama nodded before I could finish. “We see what matters. We see you, and we see him. He’s not perfect, but he is everything you need.”

Daddy gave me a small grin. “Just keep your aim steady. You get that from me.”

My hand went to my stomach, and Mama placed hers over it. “You’re doing just fine.”

I wanted to stay. I wanted to bottle the air, the warmth, their voices.

“It’s not time yet,” Daddy said.

“Are y’all really here?” I asked, my throat tightening.

Mama brushed her hand on my cheek like I was still her little girl, and right now, I felt like I was.

“We never left puddin’,” Mama whispered. We’ll always been here Ivy Monroe… now go home.”

My eyes fluttered open, and it was still dark, but I knew exactly where I was.

Twisted in Ghost’s arms, his chest pressed against my back, one hand palmed against my belly and I left it there, grounding myself in the real .

I exhaled, letting the ache in my chest fade.

I knew from that dream that my parents were proud of me and that’s all the confirmation I needed to start this new journey into motherhood with the love of my life by side.

I shifted slightly, just enough for Ghost to grumble and pull me in tighter.

His nose was buried against the curve of my neck.

“Go back to sleep, Specs” he muttered, voice thick with sleep and that deep gravelly tone that made my chest clench. “I’m not going nowhere... I told you that.”

I let my eyes close again, his words settling into my bones. The baby, the cafe, the chaos still waiting in the morning, it could all come later. Right now, all that mattered was this: I wasn’t alone… not anymore.

I had him. I had us.