Page 120 of Beloved Beauty

I shake my head. “No. It’s better.”

Better because it’s ours. Messy, mistimed, but real.

And the best thing I’ve ever known.

The house smells of comfort food. Roasted garlic, thyme, a hint of brown sugar in the air from something caramelizing in the oven. Magnolia stands at the stove in tailored linen, her apron crisp and spotless, hair swept back in a sleek twist. Not a speck of flour in sight. She’s composed but humming with quiet energy, the same way she gets when she’s styling a space that matters.

The table is elegant—subtle luxury that feels effortless. It’s simply Magnolia.

I move behind her and wrap my arms around her waist, pressing a kiss below her ear.

“Are you kissing me because you’re in love with me or because dinner smells divine?”

“Hard to say. You’re both making my mouth water.”

She glances over her shoulder, arching a brow. “Tell me again later tonight that I make your mouth water.”

I grin, dropping another kiss just below her ear. “Oh, I plan on showing you just how much.”

Before I can steer the conversation straight into filthy territory—where it’s clearly headed—the doorbell rings.

Tina wraps Magnolia in a warm hug. “Need help in the kitchen, lo’u afafine?”

Magnolia smiles and waves her off. “Not tonight. It’s your birthday—you’re under strict orders to relax and let us spoil you.”

Tina arches a brow. “You know I don’t do well at sitting still.”

“That’s why you’re overdue,” Magnolia says. “You’re always the one cooking for everyone else. Tonight, we return the favor.”

Next to arrive are Violet and Elias. Violet speaks to Tina and Dad for a few minutes, then drifts toward the kitchen to help Magnolia, slipping into the rhythm as if she’s done it a hundred times.

Then Leilani, Serafina, Nico, and Asa arrive in a pack—bickering the way only siblings can.

Last through the door are Jack and Laurelyn. Laurelyn holds a wrapped gift and Jack carries a case of wine. That’s the beauty of inviting the McLachlans. They’re always going to bring a great vino and plenty of it.

This dinner is for Tina’s birthday—at least, that’s the official reason. There’s a cake with her name piped in delicate cursive. But this night isn’t only about candles and birthday wishes. There’s something else coming. Something big.

Dinner is flawless. Magnolia’s take on Cajun classics hits every mark—seared shrimp over crispy grit cakes, all smothered in a smoky, spicy Cajun cream sauce loaded with corn, sweet onions and bell peppers.

It smells of heat and heart and heritage—and somehow, it still looks like it belongs in a magazine spread.

Magnolia moves through the room with ease, pausing to top off everyone’s wine, throwing an occasional wink at me. And she manages to make sure nothing burns while pretending she isn’t sitting on the biggest secret of her life.

I lean in close, voice low. “Is it time yet?”

Her lips curve. “Settle down, Alex. Let her finish her wine.”

After dinner, Magnolia brings a small stack of wrapped gifts and places them in front of Tina. She’s seated at the head of the table, a linen napkin still folded over her lap, cheeks flushed from laughter and red wine. The first few gifts are sweet and thoughtful—spa vouchers, a beautiful woven throw from Laurelyn, a homemade photo book from Leilani that makes her tear up before she’s even halfway through.

Magnolia waits until all of them have been opened before she presents the last gift.

“Just one more,” she says, placing the small box into Tina’s hands.

It’s perfectly wrapped—soft blush paper, hand-tied satin bow, Magnolia’s style written in every crease. Understated but meaningful, like everything she does.

Tina unties the ribbon, lifting the lid. Inside the box is a folded slip of tissue. Tucked beneath it, the ultrasound photo.

For a second, no one moves.

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