First Crush, My Forever

Chapter 79

  We're still tangled in that family hug when I hear tiny footsteps racing around the corner.

  KK barrels into the kitchen, socks sliding on the floor, a big grin lighting up her whole face. "Mommy! Mama T!" she yells like we've been gone a week instead of a few hours.

  Dani barely turns before KK launches herself into her arms. She drops to her knees just in time, catching her in that easy way that makes it look like KK's always been part of her. KK wraps herself around Dani's neck and squeezes tight.

  I smile, heart doing that stupid flutter thing I never admit out loud.

  KK leans back with a scrunched-up nose. "Mommy, you smell like Mama T."

  I freeze mid-step.

  Dani blinks, thrown. "I do?"

  KK nods very seriously. "Like... Mama T when she takes off her hoodie and it's all warm and sweaty."

  I almost choke.

  Behind me, my mom snorts and turns away, but not fast enough. "Probably not all she smells like," she mutters.

  Mama smacks her shoulder with the speed of someone who's done it before. "Kyler!"

  Mom laughs, rubbing her shoulder like she didn't deserve it. "What? I'm just saying."

  Dani's face turns bright red. I'm laughing so hard I can barely breathe. KK looks around, totally confused.

  "What's funny?"

  "Nothing, baby," Dani says quickly, kissing her cheek. "Just grown-up stuff."

  KK narrows her eyes like she knows she's being left out but lets it go. Then she tilts her head, resting one hand on Dani's chest like she's trying to feel something through skin and bone. "Is the baby in your tummy right now?"

  Dani's expression softens like melted butter. "Yeah, baby. He is."

  KK gasps like someone just told her unicorns are real. "He?!"

  Dani nods. "We found out today. You're gonna have a little brother."

  KK turns her whole body toward me, eyes huge. "Mama T! A brother! Did you hear that?"

  "I did." I crouch down beside them, letting KK throw her arms around my neck again. Her excitement is wild and warm, like sunshine you can hold. "We're gonna have a boy in the house."

  She pulls back and climbs right into Dani's lap like it's nothing. Her little head rests against Dani's chest like it belongs there. "Can he sleep in my room?"

  "Not yet," Dani says, brushing KK's curls back with her fingers. "He's gotta grow a little more first."

  "Like how I grew in your tummy?"

  Dani kisses the top of her head. "Just like that."

  I press my hand gently to Dani's back, feeling how steady she is under my palm. KK curled up in her lap. The baby growing inside her. My moms standing behind us, watching all of it like maybe they get it now, how real this is. How deep.

  There's a kind of stillness in my chest. Not empty. Just full. So full I don't know where to put it all.

  "You girls staying for dinner?" Mama asks, breaking the quiet.

  I glance up. "Are you cooking?"

  "I made one of your favorites," she says like she didn't already know this would work on me. "Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and green beans. Tristan's with his friends fishing and won't be back until later but I made extra in case y'all wanted to eat."