Zac's POV
The house was quiet for once. Kolby was napping on the couch with her tablet half-falling off her lap, and Fatima was upstairs grabbing the last of her toiletries for the trip. I stood in the living room surrounded by a suitcase explosion—my bag, her bag, the diaper bag even though Kolby barely used diapers anymore, and a "just in case" bag Fatima insisted we needed for snacks, meds, and extra outfits.
"Texas in the spring," I mumbled to myself, zipping my suitcase. "Ain't nothing like it."
This was our first real trip as a family—Fatima, Peanut, Baby Taylor in the bump, and me. We were heading to my great aunt's house outside of Houston. She was 85, sharp as a tack, and had been begging us to come visit since she saw our engagement announcement. This trip had been on the calendar for months, and somehow, Fatima was still packing like we were leaving for a year.
"Zac, do you know where Kolby's bonnet is?" Fatima yelled from upstairs.
"Yeah, it's in her overnight bag next to the pink headphones," I called back.
"Got it!"
I shook my head and smiled. My girl was a natural. And I don't just mean with Kolby—I mean with us. Our little family wasn't the most traditional, but it was real. And Fatima? She made it all feel easy even on days it wasn't.
We made it to the airport on time, Kolby still half-asleep with her head on Fatima's shoulder through security. She only perked up once she realized we were going to be flying.
"This plane got snacks, Daddy?" she asked as we boarded.
"Yeah, baby. You know I got you."
"Okay," she nodded, satisfied.
Fatima rolled her eyes with a soft smile. "She got you wrapped around her finger."
"Just like you do," I said, leaning over to kiss her cheek.
The flight was smooth, Kolby knocked out halfway through with her feet in Fatima's lap, and by the time we landed in Texas, I was feeling good about this trip. We grabbed our rental and made the drive through Houston, the spring breeze rolling through the windows, Fatima humming along to the old school playlist she had going.
But as soon as we pulled into Aunt Mae's long driveway and the screen door flew open, I knew things were about to get real.
"Zachary!" Aunt Mae shouted, her arms wide as she came down the steps.
"Auntie Mae," I grinned, pulling her into a tight hug. "You look good."
"Don't flatter me, boy. Now where's this woman I've been hearing about?" she asked, squinting past me.
I stepped aside and let Fatima come forward, Kolby clutching her leg.
Fatima smiled politely. "Hi, ma'am. It's so nice to meet you."
"Fatima, Lord have mercy, you're even prettier in person," Aunt Mae said, pulling her in for a hug. "And this must be Kolby. Baby girl, you're just as sweet as your daddy said."
Kolby peeked up shyly. "Hi."
We brought the bags in and made our way through the house, everyone chatting, catching up. Aunt Mae insisted on showing Fatima around, beaming with pride as she gave the tour.
"Now this here is where you and Kolby'll be sleeping," she said, pushing open the door to a cozy guest room with two twin beds pushed together.
I blinked.
"Uhh... where am I sleeping?" I asked, trying to play it cool.
"Oh, you're down the hall, baby," Aunt Mae said, like it was obvious. "Y'all not married yet. You know I don't play that shacking up business under my roof."
