First Crush, My Forever

Chapter 70

  Sunday starts slow. The sun filters through the window, warm on my face. Dani sleeps curled into my side, and KK's soft voice calls out from the hallway just before eight. We all pile into the bed for a little while before the urge for coffee finally lures us downstairs.

  We spend the morning lounging around in pajamas before getting dressed by noon and head next door for lunch at my parents' house. It's been a Sunday routine since I graduated high school. Regardless of how old Tristan and I get, Sunday is for us as a family. When I first told Dani about our tradition she was a little shocked but after the last time we all ate together she doesn't even hesitate anymore when we walk over together hand in hand. With her free hand, Dani carries the fruit salad, I carry flowers for my mama, and KK skips ahead with her stuffed bunny.

  We do not even make it to the front door good before mama opens it and pulls Dani and I in for a hug. Dani squeezes my hand a little tighter like she always does when we come here. I know it still surprises her how welcome she is, how easily my family folds her into everything. The second we step inside, KK yells, "Nana L!" before running into her arms. The house smells like roasted chicken and garlic bread. Mom's at the table setting the plates and utensils out but stops when she hears KK and quickly walks over to kiss our cheeks.

  Lunch is full of laughter, stories, second helpings. Dani fits so easily here, talking with my parents like she's always been a part of this. KK tells them all about the blanket fort from yesterday, acting it out with dramatic hand motions.

  Then, out of nowhere, KK turns to my parents and says, "Mama T built it with me. It was the best fort ever."

  My chest tightens. Dani freezes next to me.

  My parents look between us for a beat.

  Mama blinks first. "Mama T?" she asks, eyes soft.

  KK nods like it's the most obvious thing in the world. "She lives with us now. She's gonna help with the baby too."

  There's a pause then mom smiles. "Well, Mama T, sounds like you've got your hands full." Mama and mom look at both of us with a smile like it's the best news they've ever heard.

  Dani lets out a breath and laughs, and my mama just reaches across the table and squeezes her hand. No questions, no hesitation. Just love. "I think it's beautiful."

  We're finishing dessert when Dani's phone buzzes. She checks it, her brow pulling tight.

  "What is it?" I ask.

  She shows me the screen. It's a message from Nora, Chris's mom. Her and John, Chris's dad, are on their way to the house. They need to talk to Dani.

  My parents catch the shift in the room immediately.

  "Everything okay?" Mom asks in that tone she always uses if she needs to protect someone she loves.

  Dani glances at me then at my mom's. "Chris's parents need to talk to me and are on their way to the house."

  "Want us to keep KK here until they leave?" Mama asks. "That way she doesn't have to be around it."

  Dani nods slowly. "Yeah. Please."

  KK's too busy feeding whipped cream to her bunny to notice the tension. We tell her we'll be right back and she gives us both hugs before running off with my mom.

  We barely have time to sit down in the living room before there's a knock at the door. Dani answers it, and there they are. Nora and John. Chris's parents.

  Chris's parents look exhausted. Grief, guilt, something else weighing them down. They step inside, and Nora holds a manila envelope out to Dani.

  "This is from Chris," she says. "We didn't open it. He said it's for you and asked if we would give it to you personally."