Chapter 26 Brownies and Staying In
By the time we got back to the house, the cold had settled in deeper. The sky was already turning that pale winter color that always made the day feel shorter than it was. I carried a couple of grocery bags inside and immediately felt my shoulders relax the second the door shut behind us.
Warmth. Quiet. Home.
Josh started unloading things with that calm, organized energy he always had. Drew took the bags from my hands without a word and carried them into the kitchen. Patrick went straight for the firewood, disappearing back outside like it didn’t bother him at all. Mike wandered in behind me and dropped a bag on the counter like he’d done something impressive.
“I helped,” he announced.
Josh didn’t even look at him. “You carried chips.”
“They’re important,” Mike argued.
Jake came in last with the brownie mix held up like a trophy. “Tonight,” he said proudly, “we make magic.”
Mike groaned. “We make a mess.”
“I heard that,” Jake said, offended.
I laughed and shook my head as I started putting things away. “Okay. Here’s the deal. You can make brownies, but I’m supervising.”
Jake’s face lit up. “Yes.”
Patrick walked back in with an armful of wood and set it down by the fireplace. “Good. Supervise him.”
Jake’s eyes widened. “Even Patrick believes in me.”
Patrick looked at him. “No. I believe in Emmy.”
Mike laughed. “Same.”
Jake pointed between them, betrayed. “You’re all so mean to me.”
Josh finally glanced over. “You’ll survive.”
Jake sighed dramatically. “Barely.”
We ate a quick, easy dinner first, since no one wanted to cook much after the drive. Then we cleaned up together, and it felt… normal, like it wasn’t a vacation anymore. Like, this was just our life.
After the dishes, Jake turned to me with determined eyes. “Okay. Brownies.”
I crossed my arms. “Do you know what you’re doing?”
“Yes,” Jake said immediately.
Mike leaned on the counter. “He does not.”
Jake glared at him. “I watched a video.”
“That makes it worse,” Mike said.
Josh stepped in, calm but firm. “Follow the instructions on the box. No improvising.”
Jake looked personally offended. “I’m not going to improvise.”
Drew raised a brow. “You improvised toast.”
“It was one time,” Jake muttered.
Patrick leaned against the doorway, arms crossed. “It was smoky.”
Jake sighed. “Okay. No improvising.”
I slid the box toward him and pulled out what we needed. “You mix,” I told him. “I’ll handle the oven.”
Jake nodded seriously, like this was a mission.
He poured the mix into the bowl carefully. Then the eggs. Then the oil. Then the water. He actually did everything right, which surprised me enough that I stared for a second.
“What?” Jake asked.
“Nothing,” I said quickly. “I’m just… proud of you.”
Jake’s whole face softened. “Really?”
“Don’t make it weird,” I warned.
He smiled anyway. “Too late.”
Mike made a gagging noise from behind us. “This is disgusting. I’m leaving.”
He didn’t leave. He stayed and watched like he couldn’t help himself.
Jake started mixing, slow and careful, and I thought we might actually get through this without chaos.
Then Jake shifted his grip on the bowl, and the spoon slipped.
Brownie batter flung across the counter in a perfect arc.
Everyone froze.
I blinked slowly at the splatter.
Jake stared at it as it had betrayed him. “Okay… that wasn’t my fault.”
Mike burst out laughing. “It absolutely was.”
Josh closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead. “Jake.”
Drew stepped forward calmly, grabbed a paper towel, and began wiping the counter as if it were normal. “It’s fine. Just clean it.”
Patrick’s mouth twitched slightly like he was amused but refusing to admit it.
Jake looked at me, eyes wide. “Em, I swear—”
“I saw,” I said, trying not to laugh. “You were being careful. You’re just… clumsy sometimes.”
Jake exhaled like I’d saved his life. “Thank you.”
Mike leaned close to me. “She just called you clumsy.”
Jake pointed at him. “You shut up.”
I handed Jake another spoon. “Try again. Slower.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Jake said obediently.
Mike choked. “Oh my God.”
Josh muttered, “Don’t encourage him.”
But Jake did better the second time, and we got the batter into the pan without another disaster. I slid it into the oven and set the timer.
Jake wiped his hands and looked proud. “See? Magic.”
Mike shook his head. “We’ll see.”
Once the brownies were baking, we all drifted into the living room. Patrick got the fire going, and the room warmed fast. Drew brought blankets from the hallway closet. Jake piled pillows on the couch like he was building a nest. Mike turned on the TV and started scrolling through streaming options.
Josh looked at me from the couch. “You want a movie night?”
I nodded. “Yeah. Stay in. Relax.”
“Good,” Josh said, as he approved of the plan. “Pick something.”
Mike groaned dramatically. “If she picks romance, I’m leaving.”
“You won’t,” I said, smiling.
Mike pointed at me. “Don’t test me, honey.”
Jake dropped onto the floor in front of the couch, leaning back against my legs like it was his spot. I rested my hand lightly on his hair, and he sighed as he liked it.
Drew sat on the couch beside me, shoulder brushing mine. Patrick took the other end of the couch, quiet and steady. Josh sat close enough that his thigh pressed against mine, warm and grounding. Mike sprawled in the chair like he didn’t believe in posture.
It felt right.
The warmth of the fire. The smell of brownies in the oven. The quiet hum of the house.
A stay-at-home night.
Exactly what I wanted.
Halfway through the first movie, the timer went off.
Jake shot up immediately. “Brownies!”
Josh grabbed his wrist. “Let them cool.”
Jake looked devastated. “But—”
“Cool,” Josh repeated.
Jake sighed like he was suffering. “Fine.”
When they finally cooled enough, I cut them into squares and passed them out. Jake watched everyone take a bite like he was waiting for a verdict.
Mike chewed slowly, expression dramatic, then nodded. “Okay. These are actually good.”
Jake’s face lit up. “Yes!”
Drew smiled softly. “Good job.”
Patrick took another bite and nodded once. “Acceptable.”
Jake looked like he’d been blessed. “Patrick said Acceptable. I’m framing this moment.”
Josh kissed my forehead quickly. “Proud of you, baby girl.”
I blinked. “For what?”
“For keeping him from burning the house down,” Josh said simply.
I laughed, leaning into him. “You’re welcome.”
The movie kept playing. The fire crackled. Everyone settled back into their spots, full and warm.
And even though I still had that ache in my chest about leaving soon, it didn’t feel as sharp tonight.
Because we were here.
Together.
And this last week wasn’t going to slip by without me noticing it.