Chapter 146: Sofia

The sun is dipping lower in the sky now, casting a soft golden glow across the beach as I lean against Danny, his arm wrapped securely around me. I look out at the ocean, the waves gently rolling in, the sky painted with the warm hues of a perfect sunset. It feels like a dream—a rare moment of calm amidst the chaos that seems to follow us everywhere we go.

I look down at Ethan, his tiny face alight with joy as Riley makes silly faces at him, his laughter blending with the sound of the waves. I can’t help but smile, my heart swelling as I take in the scene before me—Nate splashing his feet in the water, a playful grin on his face as he chats with Danny and Riley, the four of them so comfortable with each other, so full of life.

“You know,” I say softly, looking up at Danny, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen all of you so... carefree.”

Danny glances down at me, a soft smile playing on his lips. “It’s because of you, Sof,” he says, his voice tender. “You’ve given us something worth smiling about. Something worth fighting for.”

I feel my eyes well up, and I look away, my gaze turning back to the water. It’s moments like this—moments when they look at me like that, when they say things that reach so deep inside me—that make me realize just how much they’ve given me, too. I didn’t know what love really was until I met them. I didn’t know what it felt like to be protected, cherished, until they showed me.

“You’ve given me everything,” I whisper, my voice almost lost in the sound of the waves. “I never thought I’d have this. I never thought I’d get to be happy, to feel safe.”

Danny tightens his hold on me, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “You deserve all of it,” he says, his voice filled with conviction. “And we’re gonna make sure you keep it. Always.”

I lean into him, my head resting against his chest, and close my eyes, letting the warmth of his embrace, the sound of Ethan’s laughter, the gentle rush of the waves, wash over me. I’ve spent so much of my life in fear—fear of what might happen, of what I might lose—but right now, there’s nothing but love. Nothing but the promise of everything we’ve fought so hard for.

Nate calls out to us, his voice light and teasing. “Hey, lovebirds! You gonna join us for some dinner or are you just gonna sit there all cuddled up?”

I open my eyes, laughing softly as I look over at him. He’s standing by the makeshift picnic setup we’d put together earlier, a blanket spread out on the sand, snacks and drinks scattered around. Riley is already there, setting out plates, while Ethan squirms happily in his arms.

Danny looks down at me, raising an eyebrow. “What do you think? Ready to eat?”

I smile, nodding. “Yeah. Let’s go.”

We make our way over to the blanket, and I take Ethan from Riley, settling him on my lap as we all sit down together. The air is filled with laughter, with the smell of saltwater and sand, and I can’t help but think that this—this simple moment of being together, of sharing a meal, of watching the people I love smile and laugh—is more than I ever could have hoped for.

As the sun dips lower, casting long shadows across the beach, I look around at each of them—Riley, Nate, Danny—and then down at Ethan, his eyes bright as he watches the world around him. I feel a surge of love so strong it almost takes my breath away. These are my boys. My family. The people who make every day worth living, who make every moment brighter.

“You know,” I say, my voice soft, “it’s days like this that make everything else worth it. The fights, the fear, the sleepless nights... it’s all worth it, just to have this. To have all of you.”

Riley reaches over, his hand resting on mine, his eyes meeting mine with that same softness that always makes my heart skip a beat. “We’re not going anywhere, Sof,” he says. “We’re in this for the long haul. All of us. Together.”

Nate nods, his smile gentle. “We’re a family,” he says, his voice filled with warmth. “And nothing’s ever gonna change that.”

I smile, my heart full as I look at each of them, my eyes lingering on Ethan, who’s now reaching for a piece of fruit on the blanket, his tiny fingers brushing against it. I lean down, pressing a kiss to his soft hair, and whisper, “We’re gonna be okay. All of us. I promise.”

And as the sun sets, the sky fading from orange to deep blue, I know that no matter what comes next, we’ll face it together. Because we have each other. And that’s more than enough.