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Chapter 18

The soft hum of the baby monitor and the faint scent of lavender filled the air as I leaned back against the couch, cradling Eden against my chest. She was already dozing, her tiny fingers wrapped tightly around one of mine. The rhythmic rise and fall of her breathing always calmed me, even on the most overwhelming days.

Tonight, though, I wasn't overwhelmed. I was... lighter. Hopeful, even.

Across the room, Noah was finishing up washing the last of the bottles in the kitchen. His sleeves were rolled up, his hair slightly messy, and there was a natural ease to him that I found comforting, even after all these years. He glanced over at me and smiled, the kind of smile that said he could tell I had something on my mind.

"You've been quiet since you got back" he said, drying his hands on a dish towel as he walked over. "Everything okay?"

I nodded, gently shifting Eden so she rested more securely in my arms. "Better than okay, actually."

He sat down beside me, his arm resting casually along the back of the couch. His free hand reached out to lightly brush against Eden's cheek, his touch so gentle it made my heart ache in the best way. "How did it go? With your brothers?"

I let out a soft sigh, the memory of the evening fresh in my mind. "It was... complicated. But in a good way, I think. It feels like we're finally starting to talk about things. The real things."

Noah raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "The real things, huh? Sounds intense."

I laughed quietly, not wanting to wake Eden. "It was. We talked about our mom and... Dad. It got heavy at times, but for the first time, I felt like they were actually listening. Like they wanted to understand what it was like for me."

His gaze softened, and he reached over to take my hand. "That's a big step. For all of you."

I nodded, my fingers absentmindedly tracing little circles on Eden's back. "It was hard to say some of it out loud, though. To talk about how lonely I was. How much I had to take on after they left. But they didn't try to make excuses this time. They just... listened. And apologized."

"That's huge" Noah said, his voice full of encouragement. "You've been carrying that weight for so long. It's good they're finally stepping up."

I leaned my head against his shoulder, letting his warmth soothe the lingering nerves from the evening. "It's strange, though. Part of me is still scared to trust it. To trust them. But another part of me really wants to believe that this is the start of something better."

"You're allowed to feel both" he said, his thumb gently stroking the back of my hand. "It's not easy to rebuild something that's been broken for so long. But if they're willing to try, and you're willing to try... that's all that matters right now."

Eden stirred slightly, letting out a tiny coo that made both of us look down at her. Her little face scrunched up for a moment before she settled back into sleep, her lips pursing in that adorable way she always did.

"Do you think they'll want to meet her?" Noah asked softly, his eyes on our daughter.

I hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Eventually. Not yet, though. Tonight was about figuring out where we stand with each other. But someday, I think I'd like them to know her. She's a part of me, after all."

"She's perfect" Noah said, his voice full of quiet pride as he gazed at Eden. "They'd be lucky to know her."

I smiled, leaning into him a little more. "She's got your eyes, you know. Every time I look at her, I see you."

He chuckled, a soft, low sound that I loved. "And she's got your stubbornness. I can already tell."

I laughed quietly, shaking my head. "Great. She's going to be a handful."

"She's going to be amazing" he corrected, pressing a light kiss to my temple. "Just like her mom."

The warmth in his voice made my chest tighten in the best way, and for a moment, I just let myself enjoy the peace of the moment-the three of us together, our little family.

"I couldn't have done any of this without you" I said after a while, my voice barely above a whisper. "Not Eden. Not tonight. Not any of it."

Noah tilted his head to look at me, his expression serious but full of love. "You've done more than you give yourself credit for, Estella. You're stronger than you think. But I'll always be here, no matter what. For you and for her."

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, but I blinked them away, smiling up at him. "I love you, Noah."

"I love you too," he said, his hand brushing a stray strand of hair from my face. "And whatever happens with your brothers, with all of it we'll figure it out. Together."

I nodded, the weight of his words settling in my heart like a promise. As I looked down at Eden, so small and perfect in my arms, I felt a flicker of hope for the future not just for me, but for all of us.