Where We Call Home (Faircloud #2)

Chapter 35

Thirty-Five

M y heart pounded in my chest, each beat quick and uneven. Anxiety clawed its way in now that we were on the road. I couldn’t quite pinpoint why I was so nervous about Theo meeting my mom. She was kind, and so was Rob. It wasn’t about them—it was me. My own mental struggles had taken hold, making this moment feel too big. Because it was. Whatever this thing between us was, it felt real now. And I wanted that. God, I wanted it so badly.

The slow nights, the stolen laughs, the time we spent learning each other. The way I’d sneak glances while she’d brush her hand against mine like it was an accident. Truly, it never was. I was unraveling the mystery of this woman piece by piece, discovering the secrets she hid from the world.

Like how much she loved physical touch and words of affirmation, even though she’d never admit it. If I told her she looked good or pulled her into a hug, she’d melt, the icy front she had softening into nothing.

In the mornings, she loved waking up to the smell of coffee, though she never drank it.

She hated the “big light,” always preferring the living room to be wrapped in a soft, amber glow. It was these little quirks, these tender glimpses, that made her feel like home.

I wanted to tell her, take a leap into us and turn the unspoken words into reality. Maybe today. Maybe I needed to have my mom see her, meet the woman I’ve fallen into a beautiful life with. But before I could, I had something I had to do first.

What day was better than Thanksgiving?

Fuck. Now I was really panicking. My mom was meeting Theo on a holiday which meant, we were spending a holiday together.

Theo’s mom was working the night shift, and there was no way I could leave her home alone. The thought of her by herself would gnaw at me all night. I’d wonder if she was okay, if she’d eaten, if she felt lonely . The idea of her sitting in that quiet house made my chest tighten.

So, I asked if she wanted to come with me. And to my surprise, she agreed without a single protest.

“How ironic,” she said from the passenger seat of my truck, breaking the comfortable silence.

“Hmm?” I kept my eyes on the road, glancing briefly in her direction.

“Somehow, we still managed to go to the grocery store on a Thursday. You really are a man of routine.”

I let out a fake laugh, which earned a genuine giggle from her. My mom had forgotten the mashed potatoes for dinner, leaving it to us to pick up a box of instant on the way in.

“You know what else would be ironic?” Theo asked, teasing me now. She was poking at me with that familiar glint in her eye, her bottom lip caught between her teeth as if she was trying to hide a smile.

“Let’s hear it,” I said, side-eyeing her for a second before returning my focus to the road.

“If Indie was there. Your precious routine would still be intact.”

“That precious routine,” I repeated, mock-serious, “is what keeps me sane.”

Routine was one of the few things in my life I had complete control over, and I clung to it for the comfort and stability.

“It’s admirable,” Theo said softly, her gaze shifting out the windshield.

“You think so?” I asked, genuinely curious.

“Yeah. You’ve clearly worked hard to overcome some serious stuff. I didn’t mean to minimize it.” Her voice carried a note of regret, and I realized my joking must have come off as defensive, though it hadn’t been.

“Honey,” I said gently, “I was kidding. I know you weren’t making fun of it. Let’s be real—I think you kind of like my routine.”

She laughed and leaned her head back, the loose strands of her hair falling from her pigtails, framing her face in a way that made my chest tighten.

“Honestly? Yeah, I kind of do,” she admitted. “I used to thrive on spontaneity, but now I’m starting to appreciate settling down and finding structure.”

I nodded, understanding what she meant. Even I felt I wasn’t the same man when we first met.

When the truck came to a stop in front of the store, I turned to her. “Want to come in or wait here?”

“I’ll come in,” she said, but then her expression shifted to one of confusion. “You’ve got something on your face.”

I reached for the visor mirror to check, but as I pulled it down, a small photo slipped out and landed in my lap.

“What’s that?” Theo asked, already reaching for it. She picked it up, her fingers delicate as she held it. Her face softened, her cheeks flushing a light pink as her eyes focused on the picture.

“You kept it?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. She stared at me, her eyes glassy and wide with disbelief.

“Yeah,” I admitted, my gaze steady on her. “I like it. I’d put it on the dashboard, but we said our eyes only, remember?”

She smiled then, running her fingertips lightly over the colors on the photo like she could touch the memory itself. I’d chosen the one where she was smiling—not that I didn’t appreciate the other photos, especially the one where she was practically naked. However, it was that smile, so unguarded and full of life, that made my heart stop every time I saw it.

“I’d be okay if you did…” She paused, clearing her throat before handing me the photo back. “Put it there.”

Those words felt like a silent nudge that she was okay with people seeing her in my life, seeing that maybe she was something a little more. I didn’t press but nodded, taking that picture and placing it front and center along the plastic of my dash.

My Theo.

We were in and out of the store faster than I expected. Apparently, last-minute grocery shopping on Thanksgiving wasn’t much of a thing in Faircloud. Just as Theo had predicted, Indie was working the register.

She lit up the moment she saw Theo—bright smiles, cheerful energy, the whole package. It was the same every time we came in together. When I came alone? Flat smiles. Minimal enthusiasm. Like she was counting the minutes until her shift ended.

Was it me?

Theo was still laughing as we made our way back to the truck, clearly enjoying the little show Indie put on for her. I couldn’t help but laugh too, the stark contrast between how Indie treated us hitting me as ridiculous.

“Is it something I say?” I asked as I opened the truck door for Theo to climb in.

“I think it’s what you don’t say,” she replied, settling into her seat. “It wouldn’t kill you to smile and ask how her day’s going. People feed off energy, you know.”

I nodded, humming in acknowledgment. I hadn’t really thought about it like that before.

“So… you’re telling me it’s my face?” I asked, smirking as I leaned against the open door.

Theo tilted her head from side to side, lips pursed in mock deliberation. “You do have a bit of an RBF.”

My eyebrows shot up. “An RBF?” I echoed.

“Resting bitch face,” she said matter-of-factly. “For someone who feels a lot, you don’t show it well. I’ve come to the conclusion that you have a very boring face—boring but, luckily, quite handsome.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “That’s it. I’m shutting the door now. Hands and feet in.”

Theo grinned and quickly adjusted herself, making sure nothing was in danger of being caught as I closed the door.

Climbing into the driver’s seat, I started the truck and headed toward my mom’s house. It wasn’t far, just a couple of minutes away, but Theo managed to fill every second with a detailed rundown of how I could improve my facial expressions. Coming from her, of all people, it was rich.

“For someone who only started feeling her emotions a few months ago,” I said, cutting her off with a teasing glance, “you sure talk a big game.”

Theo gasped, mouth dropping open in mock outrage. “Rude!” she squealed, slapping my shoulder.

I just laughed, my chest warming at the easy banter between us. She always knew how to pull me out of my head, and right now, I couldn’t be more grateful for it.

The anxiety that was there eased as the jokes flew between us, and when I finally pulled up to the house, I let out a breath of air.

Theo carried the grocery bag in one hand, and I guided her to the front door. Step by step, we climbed the short set of stairs leading to my mom’s bright yellow door.

I skipped knocking, pushing the door open and stepping inside like I had a thousand times before. The warm aroma of my mom’s cooking greeted us immediately. She was an incredible cook—probably where I’d inherited my own skills, though I’d never claim to be half as good as she was.

“Ma!” I called, shutting the door behind us and pulling off my boots. Theo, in her platform slippers, slipped them off with ease and left them neatly by the door.

The familiar creak of the hardwood floor welcomed us as we made our way toward the kitchen. There, my mom twirled around with grace, an apron tied neatly around her waist, stirring something on the stove. Rob was perched on a stool at the kitchen island, his focus on a crossword puzzle spread out before him.

“Hi, sweetie!” my mom beamed, looking up from her pot with a radiant smile.

“Mom, Rob, this is Theo,” I said, motioning to the woman beside me. She stood tall, her smile warm and genuine, the crinkle at the corners of her eyes and the way her cheeks lifted making it clear she wasn’t holding anything back.

“It’s so nice to meet you both,” Theo said, waving politely.

Rob was the first to move, hopping off the stool with the energy of someone half his age and wrapping Theo in a dad-like hug. Rob embodied comfort with his rounded glasses, perpetual soft smile, and blond hair streaked with just a touch of gray.

“It’s my pleasure,” he said, stepping back and extending a hand. “Can I take your coat?”

Theo quickly handed me her purse and slipped off her light flannel, revealing her overalls and a fitted T-shirt underneath. “Thank you,” she said softly, her voice full of sincerity.

“Did you get the potatoes?” my mom asked as she came over to hug me. I nodded to Theo after pulling away. She turned and pulled her into an embrace, too.

“It’s so nice to finally meet you,” my mom said, holding Theo by the shoulders and giving her an affectionate squeeze.

“You too,” Theo replied with an easy smile. “Rhodes has said nothing but amazing things about both of you. Thank you for having me.”

“Oh, it’s our pleasure,” my mom said, taking the grocery bag from Theo’s hand. “I always make way too much food and end up sending most of it home with Rhodes.”

“It’s true,” I added with a grin. “I’ll be eating turkey and cranberry sandwiches for a week.”

Theo reached for her purse back, but I shook my head, gesturing to the empty seat next to Rob. “Go on,” I whispered. “Take a seat.”

She smiled and nodded, settling into the chair.

“So, Theo,” my mom began as she started prepping the potatoes. “Tell us a little bit about yourself.”

“Oh, wow,” Theo said with a light laugh. “That’s always a tough question.” I moved to stand behind her, resting my arm on the back of her chair. She leaned into me instinctively. “Well, I love photography and nature. Oh! And I love to travel.”

“Me too,” Rob chimed in, setting his pencil down. “What’s been your favorite place so far?”

“Egypt,” Theo said without hesitation, her eyes lighting up. “I did a magazine spread there. The pyramids were stunning, and I even got to ride a camel.”

She was breathtaking, her face glowing with excitement as she talked about her work.

My mom gasped, spinning around from the stove. “You’re kidding! That sounds incredible. I’d love to hear all about it.”

I stepped back, letting Theo get swept into the conversation with my mom and Rob. Their voices blended into a lively hum as I stood there, taking it all in. Watching her mesh so seamlessly with my family tugged at something deep inside me.

It wasn’t just about today—it was the future I could see unfolding before me. Theo coming around more often. Laughter at the dinner table. The baby cradled in my mom’s arms. Theo smiling just as she was now, fully at ease, sharing more and more of herself with the people who mattered most to me.

I glanced down at her, my heart swelling at how effortlessly she fit into my life, like she’d always belonged there. My gaze lingered on her belly, and for a moment, I drifted, picturing the little girl she’d soon bring into this world.

No matter where I stood in Theo’s life, one thing was certain—I would make sure that little girl never carried the weight of feeling unwanted, never believed for a second that her existence was a burden.

I would make sure she always knew she was loved.

Theo’s laugh pulled me back to the moment. I smiled, leaning against the counter, and let myself revel in the sound of it—of her—knowing I was exactly where I wanted to be.

Dinner had been devoured, bellies were full, and everyone wore the satisfied smile that only my moms home-cooked meal could bring. Theo and Rob were deep in conversation at the kitchen table, her laugh mingling with his low chuckle. I felt my mom’s gentle tug on my arm, pulling my attention away from Theo. Reluctantly, I followed her out to the front porch.

The air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of fall leaves and the distant hum of crickets. The sun dipped low behind the trees, painting the sky with warm streaks of orange and pink. We settled into the rocking chairs, the old wood creaking beneath us. For a while, we rocked in companionable silence, the rhythm soothing. I waited for her to break it first.

“She’s a sweet girl,” my mom said at last, her voice soft and thoughtful.

I nodded, a small smile tugging at my lips. “She is.”

“How are things going?” she asked, her tone casual but her eyes sharp. “With her living with you, the baby...everything?”

I knew this was coming. My mom had been cautiously supportive when I’d first told her Theo was moving in. She raised me to care deeply for others, to give without expecting much in return. She was also a mother, protective and perceptive, always looking out for me in her own way. I’d brushed off her curiosity, skimming the surface of my feelings for Theo. But now, it felt impossible to avoid the truth she already seemed to know.

“It’s going really well,” I admitted. “Things have definitely...shifted since she moved in.”

She hummed in response, her chair creaking as she rocked back and forth. “I can tell. I see the way you look at her. I don’t know if I ever saw you look at Jess like that.”

Her words hit me like a jolt. I turned to face her, my brow furrowed. “I loved Jess more than I’d ever loved anyone.”

She gave me a knowing smile, the kind only a mother could. “Sweetie, she was your first love. Of course, you thought that. But you had nothing to compare it to.” She paused, letting the words sink in before continuing. “You were just a kid. That love was real, but it barely scratched the surface. Love as an adult...that’s different. There’s more at stake when you’ve got responsibilities, when you’ve lived through heartbreak and learned how to grow.”

Her words lingered, pulling me into my own thoughts. If Jess and I had been in this position, would I have handled things the same way? I thought back to the emotional moments I’d shared with Theo over the past few months. The truth was, I wouldn’t have been capable back then. Jess had been my first love, but I’d been emotionally immature, unsure of how to speak my truth or even understand my own feelings.

“You’ve come so far,” my mom continued, her voice warm with pride. “I see the man you’ve become because of everything the boy went through. And as hard as it was, I think it’s made you better.”

I nodded, letting her words settle. She was right. Being with Theo didn’t just feel different—it felt right. When I was with her, Jess wasn’t even a shadow in my mind. I was so immersed in Theo, in our life together, that my past felt like a distant echo.

“I can see the wheels turning,” my mom said, cutting through my thoughts. “What’s going on up there?”

“For the first time in a long time, I’m not thinking about Jess,” I admitted. “I’m not stuck in the past or replaying what went wrong. I’m thinking about the future. About what could be.”

Her lips curved into a soft smile. “And that’s because of Theo?”

“Yeah,” I said, the answer coming easily. “It’s because of her.”

“Have you told her that?” she asked.

I laughed, shaking my head. “No, not yet.”

“What’s stopping you?” she pressed.

I exhaled, running a hand through my hair. “I need to close the chapter with Jess first. I can’t start something new with Theo knowing there’s still...unfinished business.”

There were boxes in my basement—memories of Jess. Old photos, letters, pieces of a life I’d once thought would be forever. It didn’t feel right to dive headfirst into a new beginning while those pieces of my past loomed below. Theo deserved me with a fresh start, and so honestly, so did I.

“You lost a love that felt like everything back then,” my mom said gently. “You needed time to grieve it, to heal. You’ve got this incredible opportunity in front of you. The life you’ve always dreamed of, with someone who truly fits. I know you thought that life would be with Jess, but life has a funny way of giving you exactly what you need. That girl in there, talking to Rob about Egyptian history? That says a lot.”

A laugh rumbled in my chest. “It does take a special kind of person to be interested in Rob’s endless trivia.”

“Oh, trust me, I know,” my mom teased. “I’ve been listening to it for nearly two decades.”

I didn’t need to say it aloud for my mom to know. I was in love with Theo—not falling, not inching closer. I’d already fallen, head over heels, and hit the ground hard.

The next step was clear. Close the chapter on my past and give Theo the love she deserved, the love I was finally ready to give.