The warm scent of Cajun seasoning and buttery seafood filled the air as Jey stepped into the restaurant with Jimmy, Solo, Joelle, and Malakai. The place had that classic Southern vibe-dim lighting, a little loud, but cozy enough to feel like home. The second they walked in, Jey spotted Natalia and the rest of the women already waiting at a large table near the back.

Naomi was waving them over, a big grin on her face. "Took y'all long enough! We're starving over here."

Jey smirked. "Blame Jimmy. He had to take two L's at the bowling alley before we could leave."

Natalia laughed as Malakai eagerly ran to her side. "Two, huh? What happened to all that confidence, Jimmy?"

Jimmy groaned as he slid into his seat next to Naomi. "Y'all gon' let this kid clown me all night?"

Malakai grinned up at him. "Maybe."

The table erupted in laughter, and Jey took a seat beside Natalia, wrapping an arm around the back of her chair. She leaned into him slightly, her presence grounding him.

"You good?" she asked softly.

He nodded, pressing a kiss to her temple. "Better now."

A waiter came over, and soon, the table was filled with plates of shrimp, crab legs, lobster tails, and baskets of cornbread. The conversation flowed easily-wedding talk, stories about Malakai's bowling skills, Joelle telling funny stories about her dad.

At one point, Solo sat back, watching everything with a rare, content expression. "Been a minute since we all did something like this."

Galina nodded, squeezing his hand. "Feels good."

Jey glanced around the table, taking in the people who mattered most. His family. His future.

Natalia caught his gaze, her eyes warm. She reached under the table, lacing her fingers with his.

Yeah.

This was everything he didn't know he needed.

And he wasn't letting go.