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All eyes shifted to me. I hesitated, then exhaled.

“I’m trying. This promo tour helps. It’s something to focus on.

But...I think about what could’ve been. All the time.

” The table quieted. Nas rubbed his thumb along the inside of my wrist under the table.

“I know we said we’d try again one day,” I continued, eyes flickering to Nas, “but that doesn’t stop the grief from sneaking in.

Some days are good. Some days it feels like I can’t breathe. ”

“I get that,” Serenity said gently. “But you’re not alone.”

Creed nodded. “And Nas... he been talking ‘bout you non-stop. We couldn’t get him to shut up.”

“Swear,” Brodie added with a chuckle. “Said you his heart, his peace, his everything.”

Nas rolled his eyes but didn’t let go of my hand. “Y’all talk too much.”

“No,” I said softly, smiling at him. “Let ‘em talk.”

“Speaking of,” Creed said, “while ya’ll gone, Nas gon’ kick it at the crib. We can train; he can do his therapy at my place. Kids love having him around.”

Serenity looked at Nas. “And we’ll keep an eye on Egypt. She’s gonna be booked and busy, but we’ll make time for fun stuff as well.”

“Appreciate y’all,” Nas said, his voice low, sincere.

We finished the meal in easy conversation and laughter, the warmth of family around us. Later, after dishes were cleared and the kids tucked into bed, I found myself outside on Serenity’s patio, staring up at the stars. Nas came out and wrapped his arms around me from behind. “You good?”

“Yeah. Tonight helped.”

“You thinkin’ about the baby?”

I nodded. “Always.”

He kissed the side of my neck. “I’m right here. Every step of the way.”

I turned to face him. “You sure?”

“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”

We stood like that for a while, swaying gently to the hum of the crickets and the silence of healing hearts. For the first time in weeks...I believed him.

The view from our suite in Manhattan was damn near cinematic.

Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the twinkling skyline like a love letter to the city that raised us.

Yellow taxis dotted the streets below, horns honked in the distance, and Times Square’s glow reached us even twenty floors up.

The three of us, me, Serenity, and Averi—sat cross-legged on the floor around the coffee table, our takeout containers open and already halfway empty.

The air smelled like soy sauce, sesame oil, and Serenity’s favorite beef lo mein.

She was on her second helping, chopsticks moving like a pro.

“Yo, Egypt remember how we used to live off oodles and noodles and whatever snacks you used to hide in the back of the mini fridge?” Averi laughed, nearly choking on her egg roll. “You were so damn stingy with the snacks, E.”

“I wasn’t stingy,” I argued, snatching one of her dumplings. “You were greedy. You used to wait ‘til I left for class and raid my side of the fridge.”

“She not lying,” Serenity chimed in, smirking. “You stayed eating Egypt’s shit.”

Averi rolled her eyes. “Whatever. Good thing we met Ms. Heiress over here, she had us eating good.”

“Sunny Chow’s on a regular basis. I’m surprised we didn’t turn into a Sunny Chow.” Serenity laughed.

I smiled, letting the warmth of the memory wash over me. “I still remember that first day in the dorms. I walked in and you had already claimed the bed by the window, blasting Jazmine Sullivan like you owned the place.”

“I did claim it,” Averi grinned. “I got there first.”

“Barely,” I said. “You was talkin’ about how you was only going to school so you could spite your mama”

“And look at me now,” she said with a wink. “Got her ass mad on a regular basis while I’m swimming in millions.” We all laughed at that, loud and free, like we hadn’t been carrying grief in our bones for months.

“Meeting you changed my life,” I told Averi. “You really became my sister.”

Serenity looked at us fondly. “I swear I got lucky meeting y’all. I ain’t even live on campus. I didn’t think I needed friends. I had dance, my classes, my apartment, Ari. But then y’all popped up and inserted yourselves into my life.”

“No, ma’am,” Averi said. “You inserted yourself. We were at that Tisch event, remember? Egypt and I were just sitting there minding our business, and you came over lookin’ all polished and pretty talkin’ about how we had ‘main character energy.’”

We all cracked up, and for a while, the conversation flowed like it used to, unfiltered, easy. The kind of vibe you only got with people who’ve seen every version of you and loved you through it anyway.

The laughter faded, but the warmth lingered. Serenity picked up her glass of wine and held it in the air. “For real, though. This promo run, it’s the end of something big. The Coven changed our lives.”

“No, we changed our lives,” Averi said, raising her glass as well. “The show was just the beginning. We built something real.”

“I don’t know what I would’ve done without y’all,” I admitted, my voice lower now. “After everything that’s happened… losing the baby, Nas getting shot… just everything. I wouldn’t have made it without y’all in my corner.”

They both leaned in to hug me, all three of us caught in that tender space where words weren’t enough. No matter how chaotic life got, we’d built a sisterhood that never wavered.

“I love y’all,” I whispered.

“Always,” Serenity said.

“Forever,” Averi added.

We spent the rest of the night in our pajamas, flipping through old pictures on our phones, roasting our younger selves, and trying not to cry every time one of us said, “Remember when…”

“You nervous?” Serenity asked as the three of us stood backstage at Kelly and Mark. It was so early in the morning and I was a little tired, but after a quick breakfast, getting into hair and makeup, I was ready for the world.

“No,” I lied, smoothing the pleats in my tailored skirt.

Averi snorted. “She’s been up since 5 a.m., pacing the suite like she was about to audition for Making the Band. ”

“Shut up,” I muttered, rolling my eyes.

The stage manager gave us a five-second countdown before the camera lights came on and we walked out to thunderous applause. Kelly was radiant, Mark was charming as always. We gave them both hugs and kisses before going towards the stools to the right of them.

“We are so excited to welcome the stars of The Coven —Egypt Armstrong, Serenity Bradshaw, and Averi St. Claire!” Kelly beamed, gesturing to us. We waved to the crowd and took our seats.

Mark leaned forward. “Ladies… final season. How does it feel?”

“Bittersweet,” Serenity said first. “This show gave us so much. It brought us closer, made us stronger. But we’re also excited for what’s next.”

“But you three were friends before the show right?” Mark asked and we all nodded.

“Yeah.” Averi said. “We all went to Tisch together and were roommates in college.”

Kelly turned to me. “Egypt, you started out as a music student at Tisch. Did you ever think acting would be part of your path?”

“Not at all,” I said, smiling. “None of us did actually. We all were in the same Drama class but Averi and I were in school for music and Serenity for dance. Serenity was on Bird of a Feather first, playing the young Dailie Chevalier and when it got announced that they were doing a spin off, after so many auditions with other girls, things weren’t gelling well. ”

“Yeah, I mean there were some great women there but none of it felt geniuine. So, I suggested to Egypt and Averi that maybe they could audition. I mean, I knew we all already had a good chemistry so I figured why not. Plus, people have been telling us for years that we look alike and could be related. I think we look believable as a trio of sisters right?” We looked into the audience as they clapped and nodded in agreement.

“I joined The Coven as a side hustle. It was just something to hold me down while I worked on music. I never expected it to blow up like it did… or to fall in love with it. Playing Frankie Chevalier has been a gift, seriously.”

Averi added, “We grew up on this set. Went from ramen noodles to press tours and People’s Choice Awards.”

We laughed, but I could feel the emotion rising in all of us. Kelly caught it too. “What’s something people wouldn’t know about your bond behind the scenes?”

Serenity answered that one. “We’ve cried in each other’s arms, celebrated birthdays, mourned losses… we’re more than castmates. We’re chosen family, always and forever.”

The audience aww’d, and I felt the familiar sting behind my eyes. Serenity reached for my hand, and Averi reached for my other.

Later that night, the crowd cheered as we walked onto Kimmel’s stage, all dolled up in sleek black fits. Kimmel gave us each hugs before launching into his usual sarcastic charm.

“So, I’ve got three witches on stage. Should I be worried?”

“Depends,” Averi said with a sly smirk. “You been misbehaving?” The crowd laughed. I loved seeing Averi in her element.

We talked about the show's finale, our favorite spells we performed, the infamous blooper reel no one was ever supposed to see, and our plans post- Coven .

“And Egypt,” Kimmel turned to me. “Your music career is taking off—‘Ctrl+Alt+Del’ is climbing the charts. What’s next?”

“I’m working on the album,” I said, proud. “It’s called Uncovered. It’s very personal. I’m pouring everything I’ve been through into it and the best part is my bestie is helping me write music for it and producing it.” I turned to Averi and beamed with a quick wink.

“After what she did for Royal’s album, I’m not surprised she’s joining you for yours as well. But, a little birdie told me you sing as well Averi, any chance we’ll get an album from you too?”

“No chance in hell.” Averi said with a smile that made the audience laugh. “I prefer to be behind the scene. Although, my husband keeps trying to get me on one of his new tracks. Maybe a few diamonds will convince me.” That got another laugh.