Page 113 of Until Nalia

Standing in the doorway of Logan’s house with him standing behind me, his hand wrapped around my hips, we watch my parents walk out to their car after saying goodbye. Once Dad opens Mom’s door and has waited until she is buckled in, he looks our way, lifting a hand while Mom waves at us out her window.

“Tired?” Logan asks against the side of my head as I yawn.

“Very.” It was a long day that started way too early this morning at the hospital and has been filled with all of my siblings who have stopped by at one point or another with their kids, my parents who spent most of the day with us. Even Kristy and her parents, who came by to check on Zuri before they followed Billie to the high school, to help Kristy at the concession stand, since I didn’t feel comfortable leaving Zuri so soon.

“How about we check on the kids before I get you a glass of wine and hang out in front of the TV until you pass out,” he says closing the door after my parents have driven off.

“It’s Saturday, the kids are going to want to watch a movie when Billie gets home.”

“Probably, but they’ll understand if you’re not up to it tonight.”

“It’s okay, I’ll have a Diet Coke and catch my second wind,” I assure him. “Plus, I’m hungry and want pizza.”

“I want pizza,” Cooper yells from upstairs, obviously hearing us.

“Me too,” Zuri shouts.

“See.” I laugh. “We all want pizza, and,” I look at the clock, “Billie should be home soon, and I know she’s going to be hungry.”

“Alright, I’ll order pizza.” He pulls me flush against him.

“Thank you.” I lean up and press my lips to his then rest the side of my head against his solid chest. I honestly don’t know how I would have made it through last night or today without him. His strength has kept me completely grounded even in moments where I was overwhelmed and scared out of my mind. He reminds me of my dad in those ways, just steady and sure when the world is a mess.

“Do you want a glass of wine while I order our pizza?”

“If I have wine, I’m falling asleep.”

“So, no wine?”

“No, for sure wine, but also a Diet Coke.”

“Got it.” He laughs, letting me go.

With my head resting on Logan’s shoulder, an hour later, I listen to Zuri and Billie bicker with each other about the bathroom they share when we sleep over as Ghostbusters plays in the background. I don’t know what started the conversation, but it sounds like it’s something the two of them have spoken about before, and it’s obvious that Billie is dead set on getting Zuri to help her clean the upstairs bathroom tomorrow while Zuri is fighting in her corner saying that she hasn’t slept over enough to where she thinks she needs to help with the weekly chore.

“Okay, but you guys are going to move in soon, and when that happens, I’m not going to be the only one cleaning the bathroom we both use.”

“Yeah, I know, but we don’t live here yet.” Zuri looks at me. “When are we moving in?”

“Ugh.” I freeze, and swear I hear Logan laugh. “I don’t know.”

“You’re here every day. It’s kind of dumb that you don’t just live here,” Cooper mutters with his eyes glued to the TV.

“He’s not wrong, baby,” Logan chimes in smugly, and I turn to look up at him. “What?”

“Do you think this is maybe a conversation that we should have in private?”

“No.”

“No,” I repeat, frowning at him.

“It’s something that involves all of us.” He looks at the kids. “How do all of you feel about the five of us living together?”

“I’m good with it.” Cooper shrugs.

“It already feels like I live here,” Zuri tells us.

“I’m alright with it, but I’m not the only one who is going to clean the bathroom if I have to share it.”