LOGINThe drive to Brielle’s mom’s house felt different this time, lighter, brighter, full of a quiet excitement that buzzed through the car like warm electricity. Jaxon kept glancing at Brielle, unable to hide the soft smile tugging at his lips, while their five-year-old twins, Emma and Mason, chattered in the back seat about everything except the big news they were about to help reveal. “Do we get to tell Grandma now?” Emma asked, practically bouncing. “You said we can be the ones to say it!” “We will,” Brielle promised, looking at her daughter through the rearview mirror. “But we need to wait until everyone’s inside, okay?” Mason crossed his arms. “I wanna say it first. I’m the oldest by four minutes.” Jaxon laughed. “Four minutes doesn’t make you a grown man, buddy.” “Yes it does,” Mason argued. “No, it means you get to help,” Brielle said sweetly. Mason accepted this with a proud nod. As they pulled into the driveway, Brielle felt her nerves flutter, but they weren’t the fearfu
The morning sun filtered softly through the kitchen windows, casting warm gold across the counters as Brielle packed a small bag for their appointment. The twins, chatty, and full of unstoppable energy were already bouncing around the living room in sneakers that lit up whenever they jumped. “Mommy, how long until we see the baby?” Emma asked, clutching her favorite stuffed bunny. “Yeah!” Mason added, tugging on Jaxon’s hand. “Is it gonna wave at us on the screen?” Brielle laughed softly, resting a hand on her gently rounding stomach. “Maybe. Babies sometimes do.” Jaxon, leaning down to tie Mason’s shoelace, glanced up at her with that familiar mixture of pride and tenderness. “Our kids are more excited than we are.” “We’re excited,” she reminded him, brushing her fingers along his shoulder as she passed. “Just… grown up excited.” “Is that a thing?” he teased. “Apparently.” Their eyes met, as they often did now with history, love, and a sense of wonder neither of them had lost
By the next morning, the house still felt dipped in the soft sweetness of last night’s discovery, like the walls themselves were holding the secret close. Brielle woke slowly, wrapped in Jaxon’s arms, her hand resting on her stomach instinctively, already protective, already dreaming. She shifted slightly, and Jaxon stirred beside her with a sleepy hum, brushing his lips against her temple. “Morning, sweetheart,” he whispered, voice low and warm. She smiled into the pillow. “Morning.” He tightened his arm around her waist. “How are my girls?” Then paused. “Or… boys. Or one of each.” He lifted his head. “Actually how are you?” “I’m good.” She brushed her nose against his. “Really good.” His eyes softened with a tenderness that still melted her every time. “I still can’t believe it. Another baby.” She blushed at his quiet awe. “I know.” “And today,” he said, shifting onto his side to fully face her, “we get to tell the twins.” Just hearing that made her heart race, not with
The house felt different that night, quieter, warmer, filled with the soft glow of lamps and the faint scent of apples from the pie cooling on the counter. Outside, the early evening wind brushed against the windows, but inside, everything felt wrapped in a soft cocoon of peace. Jaxon had built a small blanket fort in the living room, something Emma and Mason, now energetic five year-olds, had begged him for all week. The twins were curled beneath it now, each holding a stuffed animal, their sleepy giggles echoing as Jaxon read them their favorite adventure story. Brielle stood in the doorway, hand resting lightly on the frame, watching the three of them with a full heart. The sight did something to her, something tender, warm, and achingly sweet. Jaxon looked up and caught her watching. The smile he gave her could've melted the whole world. “We’re almost done,” he whispered. Emma, hearing him, popped her head out. “Daddy! We aren’t done yet. You didn’t do the dragon voice.” “Y
The backyard looked like a dream, streamers of soft blue, pink, and gold fluttered between the trees while balloons bobbed lazily in the warm breeze. Brielle stood at the patio door for a moment, taking in the sight she and Jaxon had created: a perfectly mismatched celebration filled with everything Emma and Mason adored. A giant bubble station. A craft table covered in glitter jars. A mini obstacle course that Jaxon swore was “safe enough.” And the centerpiece: a huge picnic blanket with a big handmade sign reading Happy 5th Birthday, Emma & Mason! Brielle smiled, her heart swelling. “Five,” she whispered to herself. “How did that happen so fast?” “Because they refuse to stop growing,” Jaxon murmured behind her, slipping his arms around her waist and pulling her back against his chest. She melted into him instinctively, her smile widening. “You did all this,” she said softly. “I just made cupcakes.” “Brie,” he murmured against her cheek, “you made cupcakes for fifty people. T
Before Brielle Hartley ever stepped foot back into Willow Creek, before the shock of seeing her in the farmers market hit him like a punch to the lungs, Jaxon Reed had already been living with a quiet, persistent ache he never once admitted out loud. People thought they knew him, confident, steady Jaxon who helped at the community garden, repaired fences, laughed easily, lived simply. But no one knew about the nights he drove the long road behind the high school for no reason except that it was where he used to see her. Or the mornings he stood in front of the mirror and wondered why he still remembered the way she said his name. Or the way his chest tightened every year she didn’t come home. Most of all no one knew he had been waiting. Not actively. Not expectantly. But deep down, in a quiet corner of his heart that refused to close, he had been waiting for Brielle without even realizing it. The year before she returned, Jaxon threw himself into work, early mornings repairin







