Page 64 of Wild Heart

She crossed the space in three careful strides and wrapped Natalie in her arms, tight and trembling.

Natalie hadn’t expected to cry but she did. Not from doubt or fear, but from the overwhelming warmth of being embraced.

“I didn’t know I needed to hear that,” Olivia whispered against her hair. “I didn’t know how badly we all needed this.”

Natalie felt the gift of it, that truth. They were a family made of jagged beginnings. But this moment felt smooth. Seamless.

Olivia pulled back, cupping her cheeks, eyes damp. “Oh, honey. You two. You’re building something very special.”

Across the room, Mason looked at Davey.

Davey’s posture was tight. The lines around his mouth were new. But his voice was soft when he said, “Congrats. Both of you.”

Mason let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. “Thanks, kid.”

Davey nodded once, then turned to Natalie. After a beat, he walked to her and wrapped her in a quick, strong hug. Natalie felt his arms around her and closed her eyes. There was still so much healing left between them all, but this was a start.

“I’m happy for you,” he said, pulling back with a shy smile. “I really am.”

She smiled, pressing her hand to his chest briefly. “You’re part of this, Davey. In every way. You’re going to have a sibling, and I know you’ll the best big brother anyone could wish for.”

Olivia stood back, hands on her hips. “Well, now we need a celebration. Sanctuary-style.”

Mason chuckled. “That didn’t take long.”

“I’m serious. This weekend. Lights, music, cider. I want fiddles. I want pie.”

Davey groaned. “She’s going to make me hang lights again, isn’t she?”

“You’re tall,” Olivia snapped. “That’s your job.”

Natalie leaned into Mason, laughing. His arm slipped around her waist like it had always belonged there.

“You okay?” he asked, voice low, just for her.

“I think I’m finally okay,” she whispered.

Later that afternoon, Davey and Natalie sat together on the porch steps, watching the valley stretch out in quiet layers of green and gray.

Davey tossed a small stick into the dirt, then pulled his knees up, arms draped casually across them.

“I didn’t think I’d be excited,” he said suddenly.

Natalie glanced over. “About what?”

“The baby. A sibling.” He shrugged. “But I kind of am.”

He looked sheepish, like admitting it would make him less of a man.

“I’ve always had this picture in my head,” he continued, “of what a family’s supposed to look like. But I never really thought I’d have one. And now I do. Or at least… the beginning of one.”

Natalie felt her heart stretch. “You’re not starting over. You’re expanding.”

He smiled and leaned back on his hands. “Think they’ll like me?”

Natalie nodded. “They’re going to adore you.”

Behind them, Olivia and Mason were arguing over lantern placement and whether or not cider counted as an appropriate toast drink.

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