Chapter 50
Summer
I checked the time for what felt like the hundredth time, my leg bouncing as I sat on the couch. Malcolm, lounging beside me, arched a brow at my restless energy, but he didn’t comment. Instead, he reached over, threading his fingers through mine, squeezing gently.
“You nervous?” he asked, voice low, knowing.
I exhaled, forcing a smile. “A little.”
He smirked. “I’d be worried if you weren’t. Big moment, after all.”
I nudged his leg with my foot, rolling my eyes. “You could at least pretend you’re a little anxious too.”
Malcolm shrugged, completely unfazed, but there was something soft, expectant in his expression. “I already knew this would happen. Jake was always ours. We were just waiting for the paperwork to catch up.”
My chest tightened, warmth spreading through me at his words.
Before I could respond, we heard the familiar sound of the front door opening—Jake’s footsteps echoing down the hall.
My heart leaped into my throat.
Malcolm squeezed my hand once before letting go, standing just as Jake appeared in the doorway, backpack slung over one shoulder, hair slightly messy from the wind outside. He froze mid-step when he saw us both waiting for him, his gaze bouncing between us.
“What’s going on?” he asked, eyebrows furrowing slightly.
I swallowed hard, smiling as I stood. My hands felt weirdly shaky. “Come here.”
Jake hesitated, clearly confused, but he set his backpack down and walked closer.
I took a deep breath. This was it.
“It’s official,” I said softly, barely containing my emotions. “You’re ours, Jake.”
His entire body stilled, his eyes wide, mouth slightly open.
“You mean…” His voice cracked slightly.
I nodded, tears threatening. “You’re officially our son.”
Malcolm barely had time to react before Jake launched himself at us, his arms wrapping around both of us at once, his small body shaking with quiet sobs.
I clung to him, my own tears slipping down my cheeks, while Malcolm held us both tightly, one arm around Jake, the other pulling me close.
“We’re finally a family,” Jake whispered against my shoulder, his voice thick with emotion.
Malcolm pressed his chin against the top of Jake’s head, voice gruff but filled with warmth. “We always were, buddy.”
I nodded against them both, my chest aching in the best way possible.
For what felt like an eternity, we just stayed like that—wrapped in an embrace that felt like home.
Even after all these years, after all the struggles and fears and battles fought, I couldn’t believe that this moment was finally real.
Jake—our Jake—was ours.
**
Later that night, after an impromptu celebration dinner filled with Jake’s favorite foods and entirely too much ice cream, we all settled in the living room.
Jake was curled up beside Malcolm, eyes half-lidded, exhaustion slowly creeping in, though he was fighting it valiantly.
I watched them, a content smile tugging at my lips, before glancing at Malcolm.
I hesitated.
I should probably wait to tell them. Maybe pick a better time, a more dramatic moment.
But… when had I ever been great at timing?
I cleared my throat, shifting in my seat. “So… I have some news.”
Malcolm’s head tilted slightly, his expression lazy but intrigued. “Oh?”
Jake perked up a little, rubbing his sleepy eyes. “What is it?”
I bit my lip, trying to contain my excitement. “Well… you know how families grow?”
Jake nodded slowly, his brow furrowing in confusion.
Malcolm raised an eyebrow. “Summer, you’re being weird.”
I grinned, heart racing.
“Well,” I said, dragging out the suspense. “You’re gonna be a big brother.”
Silence.
For exactly two seconds.
Then—absolute chaos.
Malcolm choked on absolutely nothing, coughing as he sat upright so fast he nearly knocked Jake off the couch.
Jake gasped dramatically, eyes going as wide as saucers. “We’re having a baby?!”
I laughed, nodding. “Yep.”
Jake squealed, throwing himself at me, his little arms wrapping so tightly around my waist.
“This is the best day ever!” he shouted into my stomach.
I giggled, stroking his hair. “Glad you think so, buddy.”
Meanwhile, Malcolm still hadn’t spoken.
I glanced at him, trying not to laugh at his completely stunned expression. His mouth opened twice, as if he was about to say something, then closed again.
“You okay there?” I teased, raising an eyebrow.
His gaze snapped to mine, blinking once. “You’re pregnant?”
“Yep.”
His jaw clenched, and for a second, I thought he was going to lose his mind. Then—he let out a short laugh, shaking his head.
“Damn,” he muttered, running a hand through his hair, looking thoroughly amused and exasperated all at once. “I really should’ve come back sooner.”
I rolled my eyes, but my cheeks hurt from smiling too much.
Jake was bouncing excitedly, clearly too overwhelmed to sit still. “Do I get to help pick the name? Can I help paint the baby’s room? Are we gonna have a baby shower? OH—can I tell people?!”
I laughed, ruffling his hair. “One step at a time, okay?”
Malcolm finally snapped out of his shock, shaking his head in disbelief before grinning at me. “I can’t believe you just dropped that news on me at the dinner table like that.”
I shrugged innocently. “Would you rather I had sent you a text?”
He let out a low chuckle, pulling me toward him, his hand settling on my stomach.
His voice softened, something raw and full of emotion flickering behind his gaze. “We’re really doing this, huh?”
I nodded, heart flipping at the look on his face. “Yeah. We are.”
Malcolm leaned in, pressing a slow, lingering kiss to my lips, his other hand still resting protectively over my stomach.
Jake made a dramatic gagging noise. “Ugh, do you two have to be so mushy?”
Malcolm pulled back, smirking at him. “Get used to it, kid. You’re stuck with us forever.”
Jake grinned, not looking even a little upset about it.
And as I sat there, wrapped in my little family, I realized something.
This was it.
This was the forever I’d always dreamed of—the home, the love, the family that felt so impossible once upon a time.
But it was here.
And it was ours.
Forever.
~ END ~
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