Page 104 of The Hotel Room

Kate laughed softly, warmth blooming in her chest.

“It’s perfect,” she whispered, pressing a kiss to Lily’s temple.

Before she could say anything else, the sound of Noah’s footsteps on the stairs echoed through the hall.

He appeared in the doorway, his phone tucked away for once, watching them with a thoughtful expression.

“Hey, Mom,” he said, his voice quieter than usual.

Kate’s heart twisted, bracing for the usual teenage walls he’d been putting up lately. But then, to her surprise, he shifted closer, hesitating only for a moment before wrapping his arms around her in a firm, solid hug.

Kate blinked, caught off guard, but melted into the embrace.

“Noah?” she whispered, her voice cracking slightly as she hugged him back, one hand brushing over his shoulder blades.

He didn’t let go right away.

“I love you, Mom,” he mumbled against her shoulder. “I’m sorry for...everything. I know I’ve been kind of a jerk lately.”

Tears welled behind Kate’s eyes, her throat tightening as she whispered, “You haven’t. You’re figuring things out. I love you so much.”

Before she could say more, a smaller body pressed into her other side.

Lily had joined the hug, wrapping her arms as far around both of them as she could manage, her face squished against Kate’s stomach.

“Me too!” Lily exclaimed. “Group hug! I love you, Mommy!”

Kate let out a shaky laugh, holding them both tighter, her heart swelling so full it almost hurt.

For a moment, it didn’t matter how complicated things were with James. It didn’t matter how fragile everything felt.

This washers.

Her children. Her family.

And in that moment, surrounded by their warmth and love, Kate felt—

Whole.

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Kate stood at the kitchen counter, rinsing a bowl when Leah’s voice broke through her thoughts.

“What’s with your hands?” Leah asked, leaning casually against the doorway, her eyes narrowing.

Kate glanced down, blinking at the smudges of blue and green paint streaked across her fingers and palms.

“Oh,” she said, embarrassed. She turned back to the sink, scrubbing her hands a little too quickly. “I’ve been painting.”

“Painting?” Leah straightened, her tone a mix of curiosity and surprise. “You haven’t painted in years.”

Kate shrugged, still scrubbing. “Yeah, well...I’ve started again. Just something to keep me busy.”

Leah crossed the room, her gaze sharp as she leaned over the sink to get a better look at Kate’s face. “You’re blushing.”

“I am not,” Kate mumbled, avoiding her sister’s eyes.

Leah smirked. “You totally are. What’s going on, Katie? You’ve been sneaking off somewhere with paint all over you. Don’t tell me you’re suddenly hiding secrets like we’re teenagers again.”

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