First Crush, My Forever

Chapter 66

  It's a little after nine Friday morning when I pull on a hoodie, grab my keys, and head out the front door. Dani's already at work and KK's at pre-k, so the house is quiet. Dani insisted on driving herself this morning and dropping KK off at pre-k so I could work on getting more of my stuff brought over with no distractions.

  I walk next door, hands in my pockets, and pull out my house key, letting myself in the front door like I've done a thousand times. Mama woke up sick this morning and decided to take the day off work, so it's just her at home. I find her in the kitchen, wrapped in a blanket with a mug of hot tea in front of her. She looks up when she sees me and gives a tired smile.

  "You didn't have to come over this early," she says, her voice a little rough.

  "I wanted to check on you," I say, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "You look like hell."

  She laughs softly. "Thanks, baby."

  I sit across from mama at the table and she looks at me with that knowing softness. "You've got something on your mind," she says.

  "Am I that obvious?"

  "You're my baby," she says with a smile. "Of course you are."

  She fixes another mug and pushes it toward me. It's peppermint tea, our usual when one of us doesn't feel great or needs to talk.

  "You're not just checking on me," mama says after a beat. "I can see it in your face."

  I nod. "There's a lot on my mind." Mama waits, like she always does, never pushing. Just being there.

  "Things with Dani and KK have been really good, great actually" I begin. Mama's face brightens.

  "You look happier than I've ever seen you," mama says.

  "I am," I admit. "More than I thought I could be. Dani, KK and the baby... it feels like home."

  Her brow arches a bit. "And the baby's doing okay?"

  I nod. "We had her ten-week appointment yesterday. The heartbeat was strong. Dani's glowing."

  "You sound like you are too," mama says, reaching across to squeeze my hands.

  I squeeze back, heart thumping. "That's part of what I needed to talk to you about."

  Mama leans in a bit. "I'm listening."

  I take a breath. "I want to marry Dani," I say. "And I don't mean someday. I mean soon. Maybe before the baby's born. I just... I don't know if it's too fast. I don't want to scare her."

  Mama's eyes go soft. "Oh, Taytum," she murmurs. "That's a beautiful thing. You love her. It's plain as day."

  "I do," I say simply. "And it's not just her. It's KK too. They're my family already. I just want it to be forever. I'm already all in. I just haven't told Dani my thoughts yet. I want to marry her before the baby comes, if she's open to it. I just... don't know how to bring it up without making it feel like pressure."

  Mama reaches across the table and takes my hand. "Taytum, if you love her and she loves you, you tell her. That's not pressure. That's honesty. If you're honest and give her room to feel it too. Dani loves you, baby. I see it every time you're together."

  "I've never felt like this about anyone," I say quietly. "Dani makes everything feel steady. Even when things get hard."

  "She's good for you," Mama says. "I see it every time I watch you with her. And KK. And now this baby." Her eyes soften. "You've stepped into a lot, baby. Are you doing okay with all of it?"

  I nod. "Better than okay. I want it. All of it."

  "There's something else," I say after a moment.

  She tilts her head. "Go on."

  "Before Dani and I ever actually got together in a relationship, I had a one night thing with her sister, Natalie. I didn't know she was her sister and it didn't mean anything, but Dani knows. And when Natalie came by the other day, she... looked at me like she was still interested. Dani saw it and it caused some tension."

  Mama sighs, but it's not disappointment. It's more understanding than anything.

  "That's tricky," she says. "But all that matters is what you and Dani have now. Natalie will have to respect that."

  "Yeah," I say. "I told Natalie off because I wasn't okay with what she said to Dani, and Dani stood up for herself too. But it's still there, you know? That little shadow and I hate that I brought it into this."

  "You didn't bring anything in on purpose," mama says firmly. "You were honest. That matters and if Dani's the kind of woman I think she is, she'll keep choosing what you two are building now."

  "I hope so," I say. "I just... I want this to last. I want to give Dani everything. A home, a safe place. A real family. I've never been more sure of anything."

  Mama squeezes my hand. "Then tell Dani that. When it's just the two of you and she can really hear it. You've got the heart, Taytum. Just let her see all of it."

  That kind of steady support is exactly why I came here. Mama's always been that voice I trust, the one that cuts through all the noise.

  "You make it sound easy," I say with a small laugh.

  "Love is a lot of work," mama agrees. "But the kind you and Dani have is worth every bit of it. Don't wait too long to let her know."

  I take a sip of the peppermint tea and let it settle warm in my chest.

  "Thanks," I say, my voice quiet. "I needed this."

  Mama smiles. "Anytime, baby. Now go get the rest of your stuff moved in. Sounds like that house next door is where you belong."

  I smile back and get up, feeling a little more grounded. Before I leave the kitchen, mama stops me.

  "Hey," she says, voice softer now. "You have something rare with Dani. Real love doesn't always come wrapped up neat, but when it's right, you fight for it. You give it your all."

  I nod, throat tight. "I will. Thanks, mama, and let me know if you need anything. I love you." I say, my voice quieter but lighter too.

  "Always, and I love you too my baby," she replies, and there's so much warmth in that one word that my throat feels tight.

  With that, I head upstairs to grab the last few boxes from my old room, each one feeling a little less like who I was and a little more like the life I'm choosing. My real life. With Dani, with KK, and with the baby Dani is carrying. That little heartbeat shifted everything and I feel sure of what I want... for Dani, for KK, for this baby, for all of us and I know I'll find the right moment to tell Dani exactly that.