“Hi,” he breathed against her hair.

“Hi,” she whispered back, her arms tight around his waist.

They stood there in the parking lot holding each other, and Lucas felt something settle in his chest.

“This was real.

This was happening.

This was Avery in his arms finally after years of wanting something he’d been too afraid to name.

“I couldn’t wait until tonight,” Avery said, her voice muffled against his shoulder.

“I tried.

I really did, but I kept thinking about seeing you at the play with all those other people around, not being able to talk to you properly, and I just I needed to see you.

Just us.

” Lucas pulled back enough to look at her face.

“I’m glad you came.

” Yeah.

Yeah.

He cuped her face in his hands, marveling at the fact that he could do this now, that he was allowed to touch her like this.

I’ve been thinking about you all day.

Just today? Okay, fine.

All week, all month.

Probably all year if I’m being honest.

Avery’s smile was radiant.

Good, because I’ve been thinking about you for approximately a decade.

So, you have some catching up to do.

Lucas kissed her soft and sweet right there in the parking lot.

When they broke apart, Avery was blushing.

“We’re in public,” she said.

“I don’t care.

Your neighbors might see.

Let them see.

I’m done hiding how I feel about you.

” Avery’s eyes went soft.

“You keep saying things like that and I’m going to start crying and then my makeup will run and Emma will ask questions.

” Emma already knows.

She caught us last night, remember? How could I forget? She practically gave us her blessing right there in your living room.

They stood there for a while longer just being together until Lucas reluctantly checked his watch.

“We should probably head back up.

” “Emma’s going to wonder where I went.

” “She knows exactly where you went,” Avery said.

But she let Lucas take her hand and lead her back toward the building.

When they walked into the apartment hand in hand, Emma took one look at them and squealled with delight.

“I knew it.

You’re holding hands.

” “Yes, we are,” Lucas said, squeezing Avery’s hand.

Is that okay with you? Emma rolled her eyes.

Dad, I literally told you yesterday to kiss her.

Of course, it’s okay.

I’m not a baby.

No, you’re definitely not a baby.

Avery agreed, kneeling down to Emma’s level.

But this is still a big change, and we want to make sure you’re comfortable with it.

Your dad and I being together means things might be different sometimes.

Emma considered this seriously.

Will you still come to my plays and stuff? Absolutely.

Nothing changes that.

Will you still bring me presents, Emma? Lucas warned.

What? I’m just asking.

Avery laughed.

Yes, I’ll still bring you presents.

Though now I have an excuse to spoil you even more since I’m dating your dad.

Cool.

Emma paused.

Does this mean you’re my mom now? The question hung in the air, heavy with meaning.

Lucas saw Avery’s expression shift.

Saw the careful way she chose her words.

I’ll always be your aunt Avery first, she said gently.

The person who loves you and wants the best for you.

Whether that’s as your aunt or something else, that doesn’t change.

We can figure out the rest as we go.

Okay.

Emma thought about this, then nodded.

Okay, but can I call you mom if I want to? Lucas’s throat tightened.

He’d been so focused on his own feelings for Avery that he hadn’t fully considered how much Emma had been longing for this, too.

for a complete family, for someone to fill the role that Sarah had abandoned.

“We’ll talk about it,” Avery said, her voice thick with emotion.

“One step at a time, remember?” “One step at a time,” Emma echoed.

Then she grabbed both their hands.

“Come on, we need to leave in 30 minutes, and I still need to practice my entrance one more time.

” The drive to the school was a chaotic blur of Emma’s nervous chatter and last minute line rehearsals.

Lucas kept glancing at Avery in the passenger seat, still amazed that she was here, that this was real, that they were doing this.

When they arrived at the auditorium, it was already filling up with parents and families.

Lucas spotted his mother waving from the third row, and they made their way over.

“There’s my talented granddaughter,” Lucas’s mom exclaimed, pulling Emma into a hug.

Then she looked at Lucas and Avery standing close together, and her eyes lit up with knowing understanding.

Well, well, looks like someone finally got their act together.

Mom, Lucas said, his face heating.

Don’t mom me.

I’ve been waiting for this for years.

She pulled Avery into a hug, too.

Welcome to the family, sweetheart.

Officially this time.

We’ve only been dating for a day, Mrs.

Carter, Avery said, laughing.

Call me Margaret.

And I don’t care if you’ve been dating for a day or a decade.

I knew this was coming eventually.

My son’s just slow on the uptake sometimes.

Hey, Lucas protested, but he was smiling.

Emma tugged on Avery’s sleeve.

I have to go backstage now.

Will you be here when I come out? Front row center? Avery promised.

I’ll be the one cheering the loudest.

That’s going to be me, actually.

Lucas’s mom interjected.

I brought an air horn.

Mom, you cannot bring an air horn to a second grade play.

Watch me.

After Emma disappeared backstage and Lucas had successfully convinced his mother to leave the air horn in her purse, he and Avery settled into their seats.

The auditorium lights were still on, people still filing in and finding their places.

Lucas reached for Avery’s hand, lacing their fingers together.

She looked at him surprised.

“People will see,” she said quietly.

“Good,” Lucas replied.

“I want them to see.

I want everyone to know that you’re here with me, that we’re together.

Avery’s smile was brilliant.

You’ve really committed to this whole not hiding anymore thing, haven’t you? Completely.

No more hiding, no more pretending, no more being afraid, just us being honest about how we feel.

I like the sound of that.

They sat there hand in hand as the auditorium filled up around them, and Lucas felt a profound sense of rightness.

This was his life now.

Emma performing on stage, his mother embarrassing him with her enthusiasm.

Avery beside him where she belonged.

The lights dimmed and the play began.

Emma was magnificent.

She delivered her lines with confidence, moved across the stage with grace, and absolutely commanded the audience’s attention.

Lucas felt his chest swell with pride, and beside him, Avery was beaming.

When Emma’s big monologue came, the one she’d been practicing for weeks, Lucas held his breath.

But Emma nailed it.

her voice clear and strong, her emotions perfectly pitched.

The audience erupted in applause, and Lucas heard his mother whistle loudly beside him.

“That’s my granddaughter,” Margaret called out, making several people turn and smile.

Avery squeezed Lucas’s hand.

“She’s amazing.

” “She really is,” Lucas agreed, his eyes stinging with tears he refused to let fall.

The play continued and Lucas found himself splitting his attention between watching Emma shine on stage and stealing glances at Avery.

The way she smiled at the funny parts.

The way she leaned forward during the dramatic moments.

The way she looked at Emma with such genuine affection and pride.

This was what he’d been missing.

Not just romantic love, but this.

The feeling of sharing important moments with someone who cared as deeply as he did.

someone who wasn’t just present, but truly invested.

Sarah had never been like this.

She’d come to Emma’s events, but always with a sense of obligation, always checking her phone, always ready to leave.

Avery was different.

Avery was here because she wanted to be, because Emma mattered to her, because this family mattered to her.

When the play ended and the cast took their bows, the entire auditorium rose to their feet in a standing ovation.

Lucas and Avery jumped up, applauding wildly, and Lucas’s mom did actually pull out her air horn for one triumphant blast that made half the audience laugh.

Emma spotted them from the stage and waved, her face flushed with happiness and accomplishment.

Lucas waved back, his heart so full it felt like it might burst.

After the curtain closed, parents streamed backstage to collect their children.

Lucas led Avery through the crowd, his hand firmly in hers, ignoring the curious glances from other parents, who knew him as the single dad who always came to these things alone.

They found Emma surrounded by her classmates, all talking excitedly about the performance.

When she saw Lucas and Avery, she broke away from her friends and ran toward them.

“Did you see? Did you see me?” she asked breathlessly.

We saw every second,” Lucas said, scooping her up into a hug despite the fact that she was getting too big for it.

“You were absolutely perfect.

” “You were a star,” said Avery added when Lucas set Emma down.

“I’m so proud of you.

” Emma beamed.

Then, without warning, she threw her arms around Avery’s waist.

“Thank you for being here.

Thank you for the journal.

Thank you for being with my dad.

Thank you for everything.

” Avery looked stunned, her eyes filling with tears.

She knelt down and held Emma close.

Thank you for letting me be part of your life, sweetheart.

That’s the greatest gift you could give me.

Lucas watched them together and felt something click into place.

This was his family.

Not the traditional version he’d once imagined with Sarah, but something better, something real and honest and built on actual love instead of just obligation and expectation.

Can we get ice cream to celebrate? Emma asked, pulling back from Avery.

Absolutely, Lucas said.

Whatever you want.

Lucas’s mother joined them, pulling Emma into yet another hug and launching into detailed praise of her performance.

Several other parents stopped to congratulate Emma, and Lucas found himself introducing Avery as his girlfriend for the first time.

The word felt strange and insufficient on his tongue.

girlfriend didn’t capture the decade of friendship, the years of hidden feelings, the profound importance Avery held in his life, but it was a start.

“So, you two finally figured it out,” one of the other parents said.

Jessica, whose daughter was in Emma’s class, “It’s about time.

We’ve all been watching you dance around each other at school events for years.

” “You have?” Lucas asked, surprised.

Jessica laughed.

“Lucas, you literally stare at her like she hung the moon every time she shows up.

It’s been extremely obvious to everyone except apparently you two.

Aver’s face went red and Lucas couldn’t help but laugh.

Apparently, we were the last to know.

That’s usually how it works, Jessica said wisely.

Anyway, congratulations.

You make a great couple.

As they made their way out of the school toward the ice cream shop, Emma sandwiched between Lucas and Avery, each holding one of her hands.

Lucas felt like he was walking through a dream.

Everything had changed so quickly, and yet it all felt so natural, like this was how things were always meant to be.

The ice cream shop was crowded with other families celebrating the play.

But they managed to snag a booth in the corner.

Emma ordered a Sunday with every possible topping, riding high on her post-performance adrenaline, while Lucas and Avery both ordered simple cones.

“I can’t believe how grown up you looked on that stage,” Lucas said, watching Emma attack her Sunday with enthusiasm.

When did you get so big? I’m still little, Dad.

I’m only seven.

You’ll always be little to me, he said, ruffling her hair.

Emma tolerated this for a moment, then turned her attention to Avery.

Did you like the play? Tell me your favorite part.

Avery launched into a detailed analysis of Emma’s performance, pointing out specific moments that had impressed her.

Emma listened with wrapped attention, glowing under the praise, and Lucas watched them with a soft smile.

This was going to work.

He didn’t know how he knew, but he did.

Despite all his fears about ruining their friendship, despite the complications of adding romance to a decadel long relationship, despite the challenges of blending their lives together, this was going to work because they loved each other.

Because they’d built their relationship on a foundation of trust and honesty and genuine care because they were willing to try, to communicate, to work through the difficult moments together.

Earth to Lucas,” Avery said, waving a hand in front of his face.

“You disappeared on us.

” “Sorry,” Lucas said, coming back to the present.

“Just thinking about what about how lucky I am?” Avery’s expression softened.

“We’re all lucky.

This whole situation is pretty incredible when you think about it.

” “What situation?” Emma asked through a mouthful of ice cream.

“The situation where I get to be with your dad and still be your aunt Avery?” Avery explained.

That’s a pretty special thing.

Yeah, it is.

Emma agreed.

You guys should get married so it can be extra official.

Emma, Lucas said, mortified.

What? Marriage is how you make things official.

That’s what my friend Sarah Matthews says.

Sarah Matthews is 7 years old and doesn’t know everything about relationships.

She knows about Tommy Chen and he gave her a bracelet, so she knows some things.

Avery was trying very hard not to laugh.

Your dad and I will talk about all of that eventually, but right now we’re just enjoying being together.

Is that okay? Emma shrugged.

I guess, but when you do get married, I want to be in the wedding, like a really important part, not just flower girl.

Noted, Avery said, her eyes dancing with amusement.

They finished their ice cream and headed home.

Emma falling asleep in the back seat before they’d gone more than a few blocks.

The post-performance crash had hit hard, and she was out cold, her mouth slightly open, still wearing her costume.

“She’s going to be so sore tomorrow,” Lucas said, glancing at her in the rearview mirror.

“All that rehearsing and performing in one day.

” “She was worth it,” Avery said.

“She really was incredible up there.

” “She was.

And thank you for being there, for caring as much as you do, Lucas.

I love that kid like she’s my own.

That’s never going to change whether we’re together or not.

I know.

That’s one of the things I love about you.

They drove in comfortable silence for a while, Avery’s hand resting on Lucas’s knee.

When they pulled up to his apartment building, neither of them moved to get out.

“Do you want to come up?” Lucas asked.

“I know it’s late, but “very said immediately.

” Lucas carried Emma inside, navigating the stairs carefully so as not to wake her.

Avery held the door open and followed them in, moving around the apartment with the ease of someone who’d been here countless times before.

Together, they got Emma changed into her pajamas and tucked into bed.

She stirred briefly, mumbling something about ice cream and standing ovations, then fell back into deep sleep.

Lucas stood in the doorway of Emma’s room for a moment, watching her sleep, feeling the weight of parenthood and love settle over him like a familiar blanket.

When he turned around, Avery was right there watching him with soft eyes.

“You’re a really good dad,” she said quietly.

“I try.

” “No, I mean it.

The way you are with her, the patience, the love, the way you show up for everything.

She’s lucky to have you.

” Lucas reached for her hand.

We’re both lucky to have you.

They moved to the living room, settling onto the couch in the same spot where everything had changed just 24 hours ago.

It felt like a lifetime had passed since then, and yet no time at all.

So, Avery said, curling up against his side.

We should probably talk about logistics, how we’re going to do this.

Do what? Date.

Be together.

Navigate this new dynamic.

She looked up at him.

I don’t want to rush things, especially for Emma’s sake, but I also don’t want to pretend we haven’t been building toward this for years.

Lucas wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer.

What do you want? Honestly, I want what we already have, just with the acknowledgement that it’s more.

I want to keep coming over for pizza and building terrible furniture.

I want to keep being Aunt Avery to Emma.

I want to keep being your best friend.

I just also want to be able to kiss you and tell you I love you and not have to hide how I feel.

That sounds perfect to me.

Lucas said, “We take it slow.

We keep things as normal as possible for Emma, but we’re honest about our relationship with each other and with everyone else.

No more hiding, Avery agreed.

No more hiding, Lucas echoed, and sealed the promise with a kiss.

They talked long into the night, making plans and sharing hopes and addressing fears.

They talked about how they’d handle disagreements, how they’d maintain boundaries for Emma’s sake, how they’d navigate the inevitable challenges that would come with merging their lives.

But underneath all the practical considerations, there was joy.

Pure uncomplicated joy at finally being able to be together after years of wanting something neither of them had been brave enough to reach for.

“I should probably head home,” Avery said eventually, though she made no move to get up.

“It’s almost midnight.

” Or you could stay, Lucas suggested, then immediately backtracked.

I mean, not like that.

I just meant we have a guest room.

You could stay over like old times.

Avery smiled like old times, except completely different.

Exactly.

She considered for a moment, then nodded.

Okay, I’ll stay, but I need to be up early.

I have a board meeting at 9:00.

I’ll make you coffee, Lucas promised.

They said good night at the guest room door, sharing one more soft kiss before reluctantly parting.

Lucas went to his own room and lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, his mind racing with everything that had happened.

2 days ago, he had been terrified of losing Avery’s friendship.

Now she was sleeping in his guest room, officially his girlfriend, an integral part of his and Emma’s lives in a way she’d always been, but could now openly acknowledge.

He picked up his phone and sent her a text even though she was just down the hall.

Thank you for taking a chance on me.

On us? Her reply came almost immediately.

Thank you for finally being brave enough to say what we were both feeling.

I love you.

I love you, too.

Good night, Avery.

Good night, Lucas.

Lucas set his phone down and closed his eyes, a smile on his face.

Tomorrow would bring new challenges, new adjustments, new moments to navigate.

But for tonight, he was content to simply exist in this moment of perfect happiness.

He’d found his person.

The one he’d been looking for had been beside him all along, waiting patiently for him to open his eyes and see what was right in front of him.

And now that he’d finally seen it, he was never letting go.

Lucas woke the next morning to the smell of coffee and the sound of laughter drifting from the kitchen.

For a moment, he lay in bed, disoriented, trying to place the voices.

Then, memory flooded back.

Avery had stayed over.

Avery was in his kitchen.

Avery was his girlfriend.

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