Forever Meant for You.

Chapter 73 A Morning After The Party

The sun crept through the kitchen curtains, lighting up plates stacked high from the night before. The smell of coffee filled the air as laughter trickled in from the backyard—Cody and Matt helping Nick chase the twins across the grass while Trevor tried to keep his mug from spilling.

Skylar poured another cup and slid it across the table.

Skylar: "You look like you didn't sleep much."

Ava: smiling faintly "I didn't. The twins were restless, and every time I closed my eyes, I kept thinking about that birthday cake."

Skylar: laughing "That was some cake. I think Matt had three slices."

Ava: "He always did. Even back then, he'd sneak a piece before anyone sang."

They both laughed softly, the easy kind of laugh that comes after too many tears.

Skylar: "It must've been strange for you last night, seeing him blow out the candles again."

Ava: "Strange, yeah... but good, too. I thought it would hurt, but it didn't. It just felt—peaceful."

Skylar: nodding "That's how you know you've healed. Peace sneaks in quietly."

Ava reached for her coffee, watching the men through the window.

Ava: "They look happy, don't they?"

Skylar: "They do. Nick's saying 'otay' every two minutes."

Ava: laughing "He's learning fast."

Skylar: "Matt said he practiced the whole word this morning—'okay.' It came out kind of like 'oakay,' but we'll take it."

Ava: "He's precious. You're doing a good job with him, Skylar."

Skylar smiled, a bit teary-eyed.

Skylar: "Thank you. I know it wasn't easy stepping into this family... especially with the past between you and Matt. But seeing how everyone's come together—it feels right."

Ava: "It does. We're all writing new chapters. Yours just happens to have crayons and little shoes everywhere."

Trevor's voice called from outside.

Trevor: "Hey, ladies! Who's got the pancakes? The troops are getting restless!"

Skylar: grinning "Commander still giving orders."

Ava: "Old habits die hard."

Cody poked his head through the door.

Cody: "You two coming, or are we eating without you?"

Ava: "Save us a seat and some syrup."

Cody: "No promises!"

He disappeared again, laughter following him.

Skylar stood, stretching.

Skylar: "You know, this house finally feels like home again. No tension, no ghosts. Just love and noise."

Ava: softly "That's what family should sound like."

They carried the coffee out to the porch where the morning sunlight danced across smiling faces, children's laughter echoing across the yard.

Matt turned, catching both women in the doorway.

Matt: "Breakfast is served! But I'm warning you, Trevor's already claimed half the pancakes."

Trevor: mock offense "Commander's privilege!"

Nick: giggling "Otay, Trebor!"

The group burst into laughter, the kind that felt easy and familiar—proof that forgiveness really had taken root.

As the family sat down together, Ava glanced around the table, her heart swelling.

Ava: "To mornings like this."

Skylar: smiling warmly "And to all the ones still ahead."

The chatter rose again, soft and steady, like music carried on the breeze—simple, ordinary, and perfect.