Page 72 of The Edge Of Us

I didn't have a response to that, not one that could be said in front of a two-year-old who had frosting on her cheek and glitter in her hair.

Later, while the kids were eating cake and Judith was teaching Astrid how to twirl in her party dress, Allen found me again, this time by the drink table. The hum of laughter buzzed in the background, but around us, it felt oddly still.

"You've done an incredible job with them," he said, nodding toward the kids.

"I'm trying," I replied, not looking at him. "Every day, I try."

"You're doing more than trying."

He hesitated. "Corinne, I know I failed you... and them, for a long time. I know showing up to a birthday party doesn't fix anything."

"No, it doesn't," I said softly. "But staying does."

He met my gaze. "I'm staying."

I blinked, not sure what that meant exactly. Not ready to hope.

"For them?" I asked.

"For them," he said immediately. Then, slower, more carefully, "And for whatever part of you still believes I can be better than I was."

That made my throat tighten. I turned away, pretending to look for Kyle in the crowd.

He didn't press. He just stood beside me, close but not crowding, quiet and steady. And maybe that was growth too.

Jasper showed up not long after, casual as ever-button-down open at the collar, sleeves rolled, hair a little messy from thewind. He greeted me with that grin that tugged at something in me.

"You made it," I breathed.

He raised an eyebrow. "Wouldn't miss it."

Brittany shot him a look. "You said you weren't coming."

He shrugged. "I lied."

He didn't flinch when he saw Allen. Just gave him a small nod. Allen returned it-stiff, but respectful. Jasper turned his attention back to me.

"You holding up?"

"Better than expected," I admitted. "Thanks for checking."

We fell into an easy rhythm again-slicing cake, handing out plates, laughing at Kyle's ridiculous commentary about how he wanted to marry cake one day.

At one point, I caught sight of Allen kneeling beside Astrid as she opened a gift. He helped her untie the ribbon gently, her small fingers curled around his wrist. Kyle leaned into him, babbling about the Lego spaceship he was going to build with Allen "if he wasn't too busy doing boring dad stuff."

Allen chuckled. "I'll cancel all boring dad stuff. We've got a spaceship to build."

That sound-his laugh, their laughter-it didn't ache the way it used to. It didn't stab. It just... was.

The sun began to dip, fairy lights flickering on, painting everyone in gold.

Brittany leaned into me. "You're glowing."

"It's probably sweat," I muttered.

She shook her head. "It's peace. You're allowed to have that."

I scanned the backyard-Astrid dancing in her dress, Kyle holding Allen's hand, Judith adjusting her granddaughter's tiara, Greg pretending to be a villain in Kyle's imaginary space mission.

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