Page 100 of Where We Call Home

My mom gasped, spinning around from the stove. “You’re kidding! That sounds incredible. I’d love to hear all about it.”

I stepped back, letting Theo get swept into the conversation with my mom and Rob. Their voices blended into a lively hum as I stood there, taking it all in. Watching her mesh so seamlessly with my family tugged at something deep inside me.

It wasn’t just about today—it was the future I could see unfolding before me. Theo coming around more often. Laughter at the dinner table. The baby cradled in my mom’s arms. Theo smiling just as she was now, fully at ease, sharing more and more of herself with the people who mattered most to me.

I glanced down at her, my heart swelling at how effortlessly she fit into my life, like she’d always belonged there. My gaze lingered on her belly, and for a moment, I drifted, picturing the little girl she’d soon bring into this world.

No matter where I stood in Theo’s life, one thing was certain—I would make sure that little girl never carried the weight of feeling unwanted, never believed for a second that her existence was a burden.

I would make sure she always knew she was loved.

Theo’s laugh pulled me back to the moment. I smiled, leaning against the counter, and let myself revel in the sound of it—of her—knowing I was exactly where I wanted to be.

Dinner had been devoured, bellies were full, and everyone wore the satisfied smile that only my moms home-cooked meal could bring. Theo and Rob were deep in conversation at the kitchen table, her laugh mingling with his low chuckle. I felt my mom’s gentle tug on my arm, pulling my attention away from Theo. Reluctantly, I followed her out to the front porch.

The air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of fall leaves and the distant hum of crickets. The sun dipped low behind the trees, painting the sky with warm streaks of orange and pink. We settled into the rocking chairs, the old wood creaking beneath us. For a while, we rocked in companionable silence, the rhythm soothing. I waited for her to break it first.

“She’s a sweet girl,” my mom said at last, her voice soft and thoughtful.

I nodded, a small smile tugging at my lips. “She is.”

“How are things going?” she asked, her tone casual but her eyes sharp. “With her living with you, the baby...everything?”

I knew this was coming. My mom had been cautiously supportive when I’d first told her Theo was moving in. She raised me to care deeply for others, to give without expecting much in return. She was also a mother, protective and perceptive, always looking out for me in her own way. I’d brushed off her curiosity, skimming the surface of my feelings for Theo. But now, it felt impossible to avoid the truth she already seemed to know.

“It’s going really well,” I admitted. “Things have definitely...shifted since she moved in.”

She hummed in response, her chair creaking as she rocked back and forth. “I can tell. I see the way you look at her. I don’t know if I ever saw you look at Jess like that.”

Her words hit me like a jolt. I turned to face her, my brow furrowed. “I loved Jess more than I’d ever loved anyone.”

She gave me a knowing smile, the kind only a mother could. “Sweetie, she was your first love. Of course, you thought that. But you had nothing to compare it to.” She paused, letting the words sink in before continuing. “You were just a kid. That love was real, but it barely scratched the surface. Love as an adult...that’s different. There’s more at stake when you’ve got responsibilities, when you’ve lived through heartbreak and learned how to grow.”

Her words lingered, pulling me into my own thoughts. If Jess and I had been in this position, would I have handled things the same way? I thought back to the emotional moments I’d shared with Theo over the past few months. The truth was, I wouldn’t have been capable back then. Jess had been my first love, but I’d been emotionally immature, unsure of how to speak my truth or even understand my own feelings.

“You’ve come so far,” my mom continued, her voice warm with pride. “I see the man you’ve become because of everything the boy went through. And as hard as it was, I think it’s made you better.”

I nodded, letting her words settle. She was right. Being with Theo didn’t just feel different—it felt right. When I was with her, Jess wasn’t even a shadow in my mind. I was so immersed in Theo, in our life together, that my past felt like a distant echo.

“I can see the wheels turning,” my mom said, cutting through my thoughts. “What’s going on up there?”

“For the first time in a long time, I’m not thinking about Jess,” I admitted. “I’m not stuck in the past or replaying what went wrong. I’m thinking about the future. About what could be.”

Her lips curved into a soft smile. “And that’s because of Theo?”

“Yeah,” I said, the answer coming easily. “It’s because of her.”

“Have you told her that?” she asked.

I laughed, shaking my head. “No, not yet.”

“What’s stopping you?” she pressed.

I exhaled, running a hand through my hair. “I need to close the chapter with Jess first. I can’t start something new with Theo knowing there’s still...unfinished business.”

There were boxes in my basement—memories of Jess. Old photos, letters, pieces of a life I’d once thought would be forever. It didn’t feel right to dive headfirst into a new beginning while those pieces of my past loomed below. Theo deserved me with a fresh start, and so honestly, so did I.

“You lost a love that felt like everything back then,” my mom said gently. “You needed time to grieve it, to heal. You’ve got this incredible opportunity in front of you. The life you’ve always dreamed of, with someone who truly fits. I know you thought that life would be with Jess, but life has a funny way of giving you exactly what you need. That girl in there, talking to Rob about Egyptian history? That says a lot.”

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