Chapter 179: You’re cute when you’re mad.

The morning sun was warm but not unbearable, the salty breeze carrying the scent of the ocean as waves crashed onto the shore.

Seraphina stood near the water’s edge, her toes sinking into the damp sand, feeling the rhythmic push and pull of the tide against her ankles.

She exhaled, letting herself just exist for a moment.

Because after last night—**after everything had changed—**this moment of quiet felt… different.

She was going to be a mother.

The thought still settled strange in her chest, both thrilling and terrifying.

Behind her, voices rose in excitement and absolute nonsense.

She turned, watching as the chaos unfolded.

Liam was already halfway to wiping out on a surfboard.

"I got it, I got it—"

He absolutely did not have it.

Seconds later, he went tumbling into the water, arms flailing as Alexandra burst into laughter from the shore.

Seraphina smirked, watching as Liam resurfaced, sputtering.

Alexandra, hands on her hips, grinned down at him. "Impressive, babe. Really."

Liam shook his head, grinning. "Laugh it up, sweetheart. I’ll get it eventually."

James, who had been watching from a beach chair, muttered, "No, he won’t."

Orion nodded, sipping his drink. "Not a chance."

Dominic Hale, who had once again managed to fit in perfectly with his ridiculous pineapple swim trunks and a fresh cocktail in hand, sighed dramatically.

"Watching you all reminds me of my youth," he mused.

Damon, lounging beside him, smirked. "What, chaotic and slightly unhinged?"

Dominic grinned. "Exactly."

Meanwhile, Tessa had been fully enjoying her morning of relaxation.

She was stretched out on a beach towel, sunglasses on, eyes closed, basking in the sun with zero intention of moving.

Until, of course—Zayn happened.

She should have known.

Zayn Rivera did not allow peace.

Which was why, moments later, a cold splash of ocean water hit her directly in the stomach.

Tessa bolted upright.

Zayn, standing a few feet away, grinning like an absolute menace, held up his hands in mock innocence.

"Oops."

Tessa narrowed her eyes. "Rivera, I swear to—"

But before she could finish the threat, he did it again.

Tessa launched herself at him.

Zayn was not prepared.

One second, he was smirking.

The next—Tessa had tackled him into the surf, dragging them both under.

When they came up, he was laughing, pushing his wet hair back as she glared at him.

"Payback," she muttered.

Zayn smirked. "You’re cute when you’re mad."

Tessa rolled her eyes. "You have a death wish."

Zayn leaned in slightly, just enough to make her breath catch.

"Maybe," he murmured. "But only when it comes to you."

Tessa opened her mouth to respond, but—Liam, still drenched from his failed surfing attempt, chose that exact moment to barrel into them.

Both went crashing into the water.

"Revenge!" Liam shouted, cackling.

Tessa came up first, gasping. "Carter, I will drown you."

Liam grinned, already swimming away.

Zayn, choking on salt water, muttered, "You people are insane."

From the shore, Seraphina smirked.

"That’s what you get," she called.

Zayn flipped her off.

Damon, standing beside her, chuckled. "You married into this, you know."

Seraphina exhaled. "I’m aware."

Damon wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her against him.

"You good?" he murmured.

Seraphina glanced up at him, watching the way his expression softened in the sunlight, the way he looked at her like she was his whole world.

She placed a hand over his.

"I think I’m better than good."

Damon smirked, pressing a kiss to her temple.

"Yeah," he muttered. "Me too."

And as they stood there, watching their ridiculous, wonderful family descend further into chaos, Seraphina realized—

This was exactly where she was meant to be.