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Chapter Thirty-One

Savannah

I shuffle down the stairs in my favorite oversized sweatshirt and leggings, the fabric soft against my skin. It’s been a long week, and honestly, I feel like I’m carrying half the exhaustion of the world with me.

Troy’s sitting on the couch, scrolling through his phone. He looks up when I walk in and pats the spot next to him. I don’t hesitate, curling up against his side and letting out a sigh.

“Jared call yet?” I ask, voice muffled as I rest my cheek against his shoulder.

He kisses the top of my head. “Not yet. You’ll be the first to know, I promise.”

I pull back slightly to look at him. “What if it’s bad news? I just—I want to spend the holidays with you guys. Together. No interruptions. No drama.”

He strokes my arm, his thumb brushing over my skin in slow, soothing circles. “We will, baby. I’ll make sure of it. You don’t have to worry about that.”

“Easier said than done,” I mumble, but his calmness helps.

Jamie bursts into the room like he owns the place, rubbing his stomach dramatically. “I’m starving. Someone feed me before I pass out.”

Troy grins.

“I can whip up some pasta. Quick and easy,” I tell him.

“No, no, no.” Jamie waves him off, flopping onto the armchair. “You’ve been on your feet all week. Let’s do something fun. There’s this hotel restaurant I’ve been dying to try out. It’ll blow your mind.”

I glance at Troy. He shrugs, giving me that easy, boyish grin that always makes me melt. “Sounds good to me.”

“Fine,” I say, sitting up and stretching. “Let me go get ready.”

Jamie smirks. “You might wanna hurry. Reservations at places like that don’t wait for slowpokes.”

I roll my eyes but laugh anyway as I make my way upstairs.

In my room, I start rummaging through my closet, pulling out dresses only to toss them aside. Nothing fits right. My belly’s starting to show now, and my ankles are a little swollen—not that I’ve mentioned that to either of them. They’d panic, and I’m not in the mood to deal with that kind of drama.

Finally, I settle on a loose-fitting dress that doesn’t cling too much, slipping on some comfortable sandals. My hair’s a mess, so I quickly curl the ends and let it fall over my shoulders. It’s the best I can do without spending hours getting dolled up.

When I come downstairs, Troy’s already dressed, looking stupidly handsome in dark jeans and a crisp black shirt. He grins when he sees me, his eyes lingering in that way that always makes me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world.

“Where’s Jamie?” I ask, adjusting my dress.

“Taking Pup back to his apartment. He’ll be back in a sec.”

I nod, but something nags at me. “Troy…”

Before I can ask, he steps forward, tilting my chin up and kissing me gently. His lips are warm, soft, and they instantly shut me up.

“You worry too much,” he murmurs against my mouth.

“Do not,” I argue weakly, but he’s already sliding his hands down my sides, pulling me closer.

“Sure you don’t,” he teases, his fingers slipping beneath the hem of my dress.

“Troy…” I start to protest, but his hand moves higher, and any coherent thought flies out the window.

He grins, knowing exactly what he’s doing. His fingers work their magic, and my knees nearly give out as he whispers, “Let me distract you.”

The front door opens, and Jamie’s voice cuts through the haze. “All right, horn dogs! Can we hurry the hell up? I managed to get us a table, but we’ve gotta move!”

I push Troy away, glaring at him as I try to compose myself. He just laughs, totally unapologetic.

Jamie steps into the room, shielding Noah’s eyes with one hand and holding the car seat with the other. “Seriously. There’s a baby present. Keep it PG. I leave you two for one second and you are already fingering her.”

I groan, my face heating up. “You’re impossible.”

“No, he’s impossible,” Jamie says, pointing at Troy.

Troy just smirks and sucks his fingers dry before grabbing his keys. “Let’s go before Jamie has an aneurysm.”

Jamie hands me Noah’s car seat with a grin. “You ready for a fancy night, Mama?”

I laugh, shaking my head. I like that nickname. I like it a whole lot. “I guess I don’t have a choice.”

“Not a damn one,” Jamie says, opening the door. “Let’s roll.”

***

The moment we step into the venue, my jaw literally drops.

The place is gorgeous. Soft, golden lighting drapes across the space. The walls are lined with plants, and the furniture is a combination of modern and rustic—just the vibe I love. But I can’t stop staring at the ceiling, which is strung with twinkling lights, looking like something out of a dream.

The hostess greets us with a smile. “Your table’s reserved upstairs, rooftop,” she says, motioning toward a winding staircase that leads up into the sky.

I glance at Jamie, confused. “What? Why the rooftop?”

He just grins. “You’ll see.”

I’m not sure what he means, but I’m too curious to argue, so I follow him, Troy right behind me with Noah in his arms. We take the stairs two at a time, and by the time we reach the top, I’m already out of breath.

I stop dead in my tracks when I reach the rooftop. The place is completely decked out—streamers, balloons, and white roses everywhere. There’s a long table in the center, covered with plates of food and drinks. It looks like a freaking fairy tale.

“What the hell?” I whisper. “Is this a private party? Are we crashing someone’s wedding or some shit?”

Before anyone can answer, I hear a familiar voice.

“Hey, Savannah.”

I freeze, and when I turn around, I see Jared. He’s standing near the back of the rooftop, holding a massive bouquet of red roses, looking way too calm for someone holding something that big.

“Jared?” My voice wavers. “What the hell’s going on here?”

And then I see Jade and Millie near the food table, smiling wide like they’re waiting for me to figure it out. And I blink, still trying to wrap my head around what’s happening.

And then the words click.

“Oh my God.” I cover my mouth, and I start crying.

“Surprise,” Jamie says with a smug smile.

I can’t help it. Tears flood my eyes, and I let out a little laugh, wiping my face with my sleeve. “You guys…you’re throwing me a baby shower. ”

Jamie pulls me into a hug, his voice soft but proud. “Told you it was gonna be worth it.”

I don’t even know what to say. I’m overwhelmed. They’re all here, smiling at me, watching me like they’re waiting for me to speak.

“How the hell did you pull this off?” I finally manage, my voice shaky.

Jamie laughs. “It wasn’t easy, but we made it happen. It took some sneaky moves, a few lies, and a hell of a lot of coordination. But you’re worth it, Savannah. Always.”

Troy’s next to me, his arm wrapping around my waist, and he pulls me in for a tight hug. “I told you, we’re a family now. This is what family does.”

I can’t stop crying. I didn’t expect this. This wasn’t even a thought in my head. But now, standing here with all of them, it feels right.

Everyone gathers around, and Jared stands up first, giving a little speech.

“I’ve watched you grow, Savannah. I remember when you first started working with us. You were tough, a little snarky, but damn if you didn’t show us all what family meant. Noah and anyone who gets to meet you is lucky to have you around. We all are. We’re here for you, always. No matter what happens.”

His words hit me like a freight train. I’m just…so damn grateful.

Millie’s the next one to speak. She hands me a small box, and when I open it, my eyes widen. It’s a set of keys. “A minivan,” she says. “You need something that’ll fit you, the babies, and your new family. You deserve this.”

“Are you kidding?” I whisper. “This is…” I can’t even finish the sentence, so I just pull Millie into a hug.

Then, Jade hands me a delicate velvet pouch. Inside, there’s a stunning necklace and earrings. She smiles, her eyes soft. “You’re gonna need something fancy for when you need a break from baby chaos. This is for you. Something just for you.”

“Thank you, Jade. I don’t even know what to say…” I choke on my words.

Next, Jamie pulls out a small envelope and hands it to me with a grin. I open it, and my eyes go wide. “A space in Chicago? For my own restaurant?”

“Yeah. You’ve got the talent, the drive. Now you’ve got the space to make it happen when you’re ready. No pressure. Whenever you want it.”

I shake my head, too overwhelmed to respond.

And then Troy stands up, his presence commanding the room. He hands me a black velvet box. I open it, and my breath catches when I see the watch. It’s rare—a limited edition, something I wouldn’t have even dreamed of buying for myself.

“This is for you,” he says quietly. “To remind you that time is precious. And we’re gonna spend it together. All of it.”

I can’t breathe. I can’t even speak.

After all the gifts, there’s a long moment of silence. Everyone’s just staring at me, waiting. Finally, I manage to clear my throat.

“I don’t even know what to say. This—this is so much more than I could’ve ever imagined. I never thought Chicago had anything like this to offer me. But you all…you’ve made me feel like I belong.”

Troy steps forward, his eyes soft, and he pulls me into his arms. “You do belong, Savannah. With us. All of us.”

Jared grins, walking up next to Troy. “And no matter what happens, we’re spending these holidays together. As a family. That’s the way it is. No changes, no exceptions. We’ve got your back, always.”

And I know, right there, that they’re not just words. It’s a promise. And for the first time in forever, I feel like I’m finally home.