First Crush, My Forever

Chapter 94

  The moment is perfect until Natalie ruins it. "You can't be serious."

  My smile dies instantly. I look up at her, my stomach knotting. "Excuse me?"

  Before I can say anything else, Taytum touches my arm and turns to KK. "Hey, princess," she says gently. "Why don't you go play in your playroom for a little bit? I'll come get you soon, okay?"

  KK looks between us, curious but trusting. "Okay, Mama T." She pushes her chair back, then tilts her head. "You promise you'll come get me?"

  Taytum's mouth softens. "Promise."

  That's all KK needs. She grins and hops down. "Okay!" She takes off, her hair bouncing as she runs. The sound of her feet fades down the hall, leaving the air tight and heavy.

  I turn back to my sister, blood rushing in my ears. "What did you mean?"

  Nat shrugs, stabbing her fork into her food. "I just mean, it's fast. Rushing into something because she showed you attention. You've never even been with a girl before."

  Before I can answer, I feel Taytum tense beside me. Her jaw locks, her hand on my thigh gripping hard. She's ready to fire back.

  My mom doesn't wait. "Natalie Grace," she snaps, sharp enough to silence the whole table. "What is wrong with you?"

  Natalie scoffs. "I'm just being honest."

  "No, you're being bitter," I shoot back, pulse hammering. "And jealous. And it's pathetic."

  Her fork clatters. "Jealous?"

  I lean forward, my voice low but steady. "Yes. Because she loves me. She respects me. She makes me feel wanted in ways you'll never understand. And I don't care if it kills you to hear it, but she's everything I want. Everything."

  The room goes silent. My mom's hand is over her mouth, Dad's eyes wide, KK gone but the air still full of her absence. Taytum's hand had moved to mine, her grip is iron tight, her thumb stroking across my knuckles like she's both grounding me and worshipping me.

  Natalie swallows, her face hot with anger. "You'll regret it," she mutters, shoving her chair back.

  "No," I say, my voice breaking but firm. "The only thing I regret is letting you sit at this table today."

  She storms off, heels clicking against the hardwood, and the front door slams.

  I let out a shaky breath, tears pricking my eyes, as I turn to Taytum. She looks at me like I just hung the stars. My chest rises too fast, like I've run a mile.

  Mom clears her throat. "Danielle... sweetheart, where did that come from?"

  Dad leans back, frowning. "You've never snapped at your sister like that before."

  "I know." My voice is thin. "I know, it just... she pushed me too far. She's been crossing lines, and I can't keep allowing it."

  Mom studies me, then shifts her gaze to Taytum, seeing the way I lean into her, the way her thumb won't stop brushing my hand. She softens. "She was out of line. But you... you seemed scared she'd take something from you."

  That cracks something in me. My throat burns. "She can't. She never will."

  Dad nods. "Then good. Stand your ground."

  Mom reaches across, squeezes my hand. "We love you, Danielle. And we love seeing you happy. That's all we want." Her eyes flick to Taytum, then the ring. "And it's clear Taytum makes you very happy."

  Taytum kisses my temple, whispering just for me, "Always."

  I hold her hand tighter, but before I can say more, she excuses herself to go get KK. A minute later she comes back giving KK a piggyback ride, KK squealing with laughter. Mom smiles, her face softening. "She is so good with her, Danielle. And the fact she calls her Mama T is absolutely adorable."

  "She really is," I manage, swallowing thickly. "I can't wait to see her with our son."

  "Oh my God?" My mom practically yells happily and the room goes quite. Taytum sets KK down beside me, sliding back into her seat as she leans in to kiss my temple, her hand finding my thigh again. KK grabs her juice, then looks around the table with wide eyes.

  "Where's Aunty Nat?" she asks, innocently.

  The room goes still. I feel my stomach twist, the question hanging heavy.

  "She had to leave, sweetheart," Mom says gently. "But she'll be alright."

  KK nods, satisfied, and turns back to her plate. But the adults all exchange quiet looks, the weight of what just happened pressing back in.

  "A boy?" Dad asks, still stunned.

  I nod, reaching over to squeeze Taytum's hand. Mom's eyes fill again. "This is perfect. Danielle, you have your own little family, and we couldn't be happier."

  "I gonna be a big sister!" KK blurts, grinning. Everyone laughs, the weight in the room breaking for a moment.

  When lunch winds down, the announcement has lifted spirits, but Natalie's shadow still lingers. Mom and Dad keep sneaking glances at me, but they don't press. Not yet.

  Mom stands, stacking plates. "Why don't we get this cleared," she says softly, like she's giving me room.

  Taytum starts to rise, but Mom touches her arm, gentle but firm. "Actually, sweetheart, could I talk to you a second?"

  My stomach knots. Taytum looks at me, a silent question in her eyes. Do you want me to? I give the faintest nod.

  They step into the hallway. I strain to hear, even as Dad distracts KK with talks about her artistic skills as he clears the table.

  Mom's voice is low, but I catch pieces. "...something I'm missing here... Danielle's reaction, Natalie's attitude... it has to do with you too, doesn't it?"

  Silence. My breath catches.

  Then Taytum's voice, steady and sure: "What I can tell you, Mrs. Laura, is I love Dani with everything I am. Whatever happened before us doesn't matter. What matters is her, KK, the baby and the family we're building. That's all I'll ever care about."

  My chest aches.

  Mom hesitates before she speaks again, her voice lower this time. "I don't know what's happened between you three, but I can see Danielle's caught in the middle of something. I just... I need to know she's safe in this. That you're steady for her."

  Taytum doesn't flinch. "She's my whole world," she says, steady but soft. "I'll never let her doubt that. Not for a second."

  There's a silence, then I hear Mom's breath catch, like she believes her. Then Mom's voice softer: "Alright. That's all I needed to hear. Thank you for loving them the way you do."

  When they return, Mom's eyes are gentle. She doesn't ask me anything else. She squeezes my shoulder then goes into the kitchen to help clean up. Once the dishwasher is loaded and started, Mom kisses my cheek and hugs me tighter than usual and hugs KK. Dad does the same, ruffling KK's hair, then they head to the door to leave, stopping to hug Taytum on the way out.

  The house goes quiet with just the three of us. Quiet, but not empty. It feels full of love, of questions, of the mess of family that won't untangle all at once.

  I glance at Taytum. She's already watching me. Our hands find each other like magnets. And I think about how she's mine. That's what Natalie can't stand and she'll never take it from me.