The front door opens, and Meadow’s giggles suddenly fill the air before she’s even in sight. She bursts into the room, her face lighting up when she spots Jake.
“Dada!” she squeals, sprinting toward him. It’s a title that still tugs at my heart. Jake’s expression falters for a fraction of a second, but he quickly recovers, catching her in his arms.
“Hey, Little Lightning,” he says, pressing a kiss to her head. “Did you have fun at the party?”
Meadow nods, proudly flashing her goodie bag like a prized possession. “We had cake! And games! I got this!”
Jake settles her into his arms. “Sounds like a blast. I missed you.”
She snuggles closer, clutching his shirt. “I missed you, too.”
Nina enters, pulling off her jacket and giving me a sympathetic smile. She knows what happened with Noah today—knows how shaken I’ve been.
“How’s our brave boy doing?” she asks, ruffling Noah’s hair. He leans into her touch but stays quiet, still a little lost in thought. Nina’s brows furrow, but she turns back to me, offering a soft smile. “You okay?”
I force one back. “Getting there.”
She nods, then glances between Jake and me with understanding before clapping her hands. “Alright, time for bubbles! Who’s ready for bath time?”
Meadow squeals and wriggles out of Jake’s arms, racing up the stairs. Noah perks up, following Nina out, leaving Jake and me alone.
The room feels suddenly too big, too quiet. The silence between us fills every corner, brimming with everything unsaid.
I glance toward the kitchen again, at the brownie on the cake stand. It feels almost ridiculous now, but it’s something. And God knows I need to start somewhere.
Jake follows my gaze, raising an eyebrow as he walks to the counter. “What’s this?”
“That? Uh… it’s an apology brownie.”
He lifts the glass dome, his face softening as he reads the message I’d iced on top. There’s something something vulnerable in his eyes as he studies it.
I shift awkwardly, suddenly feeling exposed. “I made it this morning, before everything went to shit. I was going to give it to you after work, to say sorry.” I let out a nervous laugh. “It felt like a good idea then, but now it seems...”
“Silly?” he finishes for me, though there’s no mockery in his tone. He’s waiting, watching me.
“Yeah,” I breathe. “Compared to everything else.”
Jake’s eyes trace the words I iced on top.You’re the dream. He’s absorbing the message slowly, piece by piece. When he looks up, his eyes are softer, almost encouraging.
“An apology brownie, huh?” There’s an edge to his voice, like he’s waiting for more.
I shrug, throat tight. “It’s a start.”
He sets the brownie down with deliberate care and turns to me. His presence pulls me in, and I search for the words, the courage.
“Charlie,” he says, voice wavering just enough to make my heart crack. “You don’t have to apologize. We both said things, but that doesn’t mean I’m walking away.”
I shake my head. “But Ido. I said things that weren’t true. I hurt you, and I regret every word.”
Jake steps closer, and I make myself to look up at him, even as my hands tremble. He doesn’t interrupt. He just listens, eyes searching mine like he’s afraid to miss a single word.
“I’ve been thinking about that night at camp,” I whisper, forcing the words. “We promised to chase our dreams. And I thought coming to Denver was doing that. But then we reconnected, and I realized…” My voice breaks, but I push on.
“The dream I’ve been chasing my whole life is to feel the way you made me feel back then. Happy, safe. Cherished.”
Jake’s breath shudders, his jaw tightening as if he's physically holding himself together. He reaches out, his thumb brushing my cheek like he needs the contact to believe this is real.
“I love you, Jake. And when I said I should go back to New Zealand… that was fear talking. Not doubt in you, or us. I don’t want to lose us because it meanseverythingto me.”