Page 208 of Yearn
Books.
Wine.
Friendship.
Laughter.
A husband who loved me.
Kids who were healing.
A baby on the way.
Law school ahead.
And two best friends who would walk through fire for me, argue about sex scenes, and keep showing up month after month to remind me:
I was worthy.
I was loved.
And I was exactly where I was supposed to be.
Her chemistry. My devotion.
Dominic
The mansion was quiet.
That deep, content kind of quiet that came only after joy.
The movie credits had rolled hours ago, the boys long surrendered to sleep. Their bellies were full of popcorn and superhero-shaped cookies, faces smudged with chocolate and happiness.
"Best day ever," Oliver had whispered against my shoulder when I carried him upstairs.
“Best one yet.” I patted his back. “By the way, I’ve got a new joke.”
“Oh no.” J shook their head and climbed the steps on my right. “This is not going to be good.”
“Trust me. This is my best joke yet.”
“Okay.” J smirked. “We’ll see.”
“Why did the germs never fight the doctor?” I waited for a few seconds and then winked. “Because they didn’t have theguts!”
“Oh no.” J chuckled. “That’s so bad.”
Oliver yawned. “I kind of liked that one. You’re getting better.”
“Thanks, Oliver.”
At the top of the stairs, J's eyes were already half-closed, their steps dragging. "Can we do movie night every Friday?"
I'd promised we would.
I'd meant it.
Now, I stood at the threshold of their massive bedroom, watching the steady rise and fall of their small chests beneath matching blankets.
