Chapter 449

The house is still mostly empty. With bare walls, uncovered windows, and the faint scent of fresh wood and plaster in the air, but I’ve never loved a place more.

Sunlight spills across the light oak floorboards, warming the space like it’s already lived in. There’s no furniture yet, just a few unpacked boxes, our jackets slung over the kitchen island, and the sound of Archie and Dillon arguing in the next room over whether the living area should have one big couch or separate armchairs.

Finley stands beside me at the sliding glass doors that overlook the treeline, his arms folded across his chest as he watches me take it all in and waits for my reaction. “Well?” he asks. “Is it how you pictured it?”

I nod, unable to keep the smile off my face. “Better. It’s… ours.”

He nudges my shoulder gently. “You haven’t even seen the upstairs yet.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Are you about to show me some kind of magic walk-in wardrobe?”

“Even better,” he grins, and leads me up the unfinished staircase.

The second floor is still rough in places, with exposed beams and paint samples on the walls, but I can already see it. The soft tones we picked together. The personal touches each of us will add. The quiet we’ll fill with laughter and life.

Finley pushes open a door at the end of the hallway. “This one’s the first nursery.”

I freeze for half a second before stepping inside. It’s a beautiful room, tucked into the corner with two windows and a slanted ceiling, it’s perfect. My throat tightens.

“I love it,” I whisper.

“I thought it felt right,” he says. “It doesn’t mean we need it yet. But someday… I want to be ready.”

I press a hand to my chest, heart pounding. “You’re really planning that far ahead?”

“All of us are,” he says softly. “We want that future with you. The messy, noisy, beautiful one.”

Downstairs, I hear Archie calling my name, probably wanting my opinion on what colour we’re painting the kitchen, and Chase objecting to anything pastel.

I let out a soft laugh. “We’re going to fight over wallpaper, aren’t we?”

“Absolutely,” Finley says, tugging me toward him. “But we’ll do it together.”

I lean into him, resting my head against his chest, letting myself imagine it, rocking chairs, scattered toys, someone’s sock always in the wrong room. A life. A home.

Knox appears in the doorway, his smile crooked. “You guys coming? Dillon just said he’s putting a stripper pole in the living room unless someone stops him.”

I snort. “I’m not even surprised. In fact, I thought Finn would have done that already.”

Finley clutches his chest, feigning being hurt, but he doesn’t protest because we both know he probably considered it. They all have an unhealthy obsession with my dancing.

We’re halfway back downstairs when I feel the familiar buzz of a message coming through on my phone. A second later, Knox frowns and pulls his phone from his pocket.

Chase’s voice calls out, “Anyone else get a message from Deacon just now?”

Knox reads aloud. “We’ve just brought in a teen from the human realm. We think she might be a seer, but she’s different. She’s currently being difficult, and her gifts are unstable. I think you’re going to want to see this for yourselves as soon as you’re available.”

I blow out a breath and square my shoulders. “Let’s go.”

Because this time, whoever she is, she won’t go through it alone.

THE END

From the bottom of my heart… thank you!

Thank you for falling in love with Josie’s journey, for sticking with her through heartbreak and healing, and for taking the leap with me into Harper’s world. Writing these characters has been a privilege, but sharing them with you has been the greatest gift of all.

Every message, every review, every reader who laughed, cried, or screamed. I’ve felt your support, and I’m endlessly grateful for it. These characters have lived in my heart for a long time, and knowing they’ve found a place in yours too means more than I can say.

Though Harper’s story may be coming to a close… I don’t think this will be the last time we’ll be seeing these characters.

After all, some bonds are just too strong to break.

With all my love,

N.O Darling