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Chapter 21

The park was alive with the sounds of children laughing and the distant chirping of birds. The early afternoon sun filtered through the trees, casting soft patterns of light on the path as Kennedy and I strolled side by side. Eden was snuggled in her stroller, gurgling happily and occasionally kicking her little legs. She seemed just as content with the outing as we were.

“I swear” Kennedy said, glancing down at Eden, “she gets cuter every single day. Like, it’s unfair. Do babies have some secret glow-up formula or something?”

I laughed, gently adjusting the blanket over Eden’s tiny legs. “If they do, they’re not sharing it with us. But yeah, she’s pretty perfect, isn’t she?”

Kennedy grinned, leaning down to wiggle her fingers at Eden. “Hey, perfect little bean. Are you going to grow up to be as awesome as your mom?”

Eden responded with a happy coo, and Kennedy straightened, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “That’s a yes.”

“Obviously,” I said, playfully flipping my hair. “How could she not with me as her role model?”

Kennedy bumped her shoulder against mine, a teasing smile on her lips. “Careful, Stella. Your humility’s showing.”

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t stop smiling. It was always like this with Kennedy—easy, lighthearted, like she just knew how to make the world a little brighter.

As we walked, we found a shaded bench near a small pond. The ducks were lazily paddling around, and a few kids were tossing bread crumbs into the water. Kennedy sat down first, patting the spot next to her.

I parked Eden’s stroller close by and settled in beside Kennedy, sighing contentedly. “This was a good idea. I needed this.”

“Me too” Kennedy admitted, leaning back and tilting her face toward the sun. “It’s nice to just... slow down for a bit, you know? No work, no errands, no Austin blasting his weird playlists.”

I laughed at that, shaking my head. “His music isn’t that bad. Although I could do without the experimental jazz phase.”

“Thank you!” Kennedy exclaimed, throwing her hands up. “Finally, someone agrees with me.”

We both laughed, and for a moment, the world felt wonderfully simple. I glanced over at Eden, who was staring at the ducks with wide, curious eyes. Her tiny fingers twitched, like she was trying to figure out how to reach for them.

“She’s obsessed” Kennedy said, following my gaze. “We should get her a stuffed duck or something.”

“Already ahead of you” I said. “I ordered one last week. It quacks when you squeeze it.”

Kennedy snorted. “Of course you did.”

We sat in companionable silence for a while, watching the world go by. Families passed us, joggers sped along the path, and the gentle breeze carried the scent of freshly cut grass. It was one of those moments that felt perfectly ordinary but also impossibly precious.

After a while, Kennedy turned to me, her expression softer. “Hey, Stella?”

“Yeah?” I asked, glancing over at her.

“You’re doing an amazing job” she said, her voice sincere. “With Eden, with everything. I don’t know how you do it, but you make it look... well, not easy, but doable. And that’s pretty incredible.”

Her words caught me off guard, and I felt my throat tighten just a little. “Thanks, Ken. That means a lot.”

“I mean it” she said, nudging me gently. “You’re like Superwoman. But, you know, cooler. And with better snacks.”

I laughed, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. “Well, I couldn’t do it without you. Or Noah. Or Austin. You guys are my village.”

Kennedy smiled, her eyes warm. “Always.”

Just then, Eden let out a happy little squeal, her arms flailing as if to remind us that she was still the star of the show. Kennedy reached over to tickle her belly, earning a giggle that made both of us melt.

“Okay, she’s officially the cutest thing ever” Kennedy declared, sitting back with a satisfied grin. “I’m claiming honorary aunt status right now.”

“You’ve had it since day one” I said, leaning into her shoulder. “And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”