Jey cracked open a crab leg, glancing around the table as laughter and conversation filled the restaurant. The energy was good-real good. It felt like everything was falling into place.

Natalia sat beside him, casually feeding Malakai pieces of shrimp while Naomi and Galina debated wedding colors across the table. Jimmy, still trying to recover from his bowling losses, was busy stuffing his face with cornbread while Solo and Almia quietly enjoyed their meals, exchanging occasional glances that said more than words ever could.

Joelle, ever the big cousin, was whispering something to Malakai that made the little boy giggle between bites. Jey didn't even have to ask what they were talking about-those two were already thick as thieves.

He leaned in close to Natalia. "You holdin' up alright?"

She glanced at him, her lips curling into a soft smile. "Yeah. It's a lot, but... it's good. It's really good."

Jey squeezed her hand under the table. He knew what she meant. It was a lot-this new life they were stepping into. But the fact that she was here, sitting with his family, their son laughing with his cousins like he'd been part of this world all along?

Yeah. It was really good.

Just as he was about to steal a bite of her food, Jimmy cleared his throat dramatically, tapping his fork against his glass. "Aight, aight, I got somethin' to say real quick."

Naomi rolled her eyes. "Oh Lord, here we go."

Jimmy shot her a look before turning back to the table. "Look, man... I just wanna take a second to say how proud I am of my brother. Jey, you been through a lot, but seeing you here, seeing you happy with your family? That's everything, Uce."

Jey felt a weight settle in his chest. He wasn't the type to get emotional in public, but damn... this one hit different.

Jimmy smirked, nudging him. "And don't think I forgot 'bout you, Nati. You held it down. Still holdin' it down. You fit right in with this crazy-ass family."

Natalia laughed, shaking her head. "Well, I appreciate that."

Jey looked over at her, watching the way she smiled, the way she held herself with ease around the people who meant the most to him. It wasn't just about her fitting in.

She belonged here.

Solo, in his usual quiet way, lifted his glass. "To family."

Everyone followed, glasses clinking together.

Jey wrapped an arm around Natalia's shoulder, pulling her in. "To family," he echoed.

And for the first time in a long time, he knew-without a doubt-he was exactly where he was meant to be.