Page 74 of Crossing the Line

"There's something else," Carmen said softly. "Something I've been thinking about for months."

Harper turned to face her wife, noting the particular tone that meant Carmen was working up courage for something important.

"I want us to start a family," Carmen continued. "Adoption, maybe. I know we've talked about it in hypotheticals, but I'm ready for it to be real."

Harper's breath caught. They had discussed children in abstract terms, but hearing Carmen say it with such certainty made it feel suddenly possible.

"A family," Harper repeated, testing how the words felt. "Little people who would grow up seeing love as something to be celebrated instead of hidden."

"Exactly. I want to give someone what Lavender gave us—a place to belong."

Harper kissed Carmen softly, tasting promise and shared dreams. "Yes. Whenever you're ready, however it works out, yes."

The celebration called to them from inside—laughter and music and the warmth of community that had sustained them through everything. But Harper wasn't ready to return yet. This moment felt too precious to rush.

"Five years," she said, marveling at how much had changed. "From hiding our relationship to announcing joint fellowship programs to planning a family."

"From surviving to thriving," Carmen agreed. "Though I think the best parts are still ahead of us."

Harper looked at the woman beside her—brilliant surgeon, devoted wife, community leader, and now future co-parent. Carmen had evolved from the guarded woman who'd been afraid to risk her reputation into someone willing to share everything with the person she loved.

"Ready to go back in?" Carmen asked. "I think they're going to start dancing soon."

"Ready," Harper said, standing and pulling Carmen up with her. "Let's go celebrate everything we've built and everything we're still building."

They walked back toward the door hand in hand, carrying news of their future family into a room full of chosen family, ready to dance under fairy lights with the community that had taught them both how to be brave enough for love.