"People should find happiness in the little things, like family."
- Amanda Bynes

ONE MONTH LATER

I stare at the black and white ultrasound photo. At sixteen weeks, Alyx's baby is starting to look more like a baby and less like an alien with a giant head.

"It's crazy how that's inside you," I murmur, shifting my gaze from the picture in my hand to Alyx's still flat stomach. She doesn't look pregnant, but the doctor's appointment I just took her to proved otherwise.

"Right? Like, I'm still trying to wrap my head around it," the redhead replies.

"Wanna grab coffee before we head back?" I ask, taking the keys to Dad's BMW out of my pocket and unlocking the car. I open Alyx's door for her and then climb into the driver's seat.

"Can't have caffeine, remember?" She smiles at her miniscule baby bump. "You know, I don't know which I miss more: my morning latte or my evening glass of wine."

Chuckling to myself, I start the car and begin driving home. It's almost five o'clock, and Mom is preparing dinner for everyone. And by everyone, I mean everyone—with one obvious exception, of course.

Since Gemma and I came forward about Benson, no one in our family has spoken to him. He sold his condo and moved to the Big Apple, where he'll hopefully never bother us again. While I'm relieved that he's eight-hundred miles away from me and the people I love, there's a part of me that feels like he got off easy. He has a second chance to start over in a new city. Meanwhile, Raelyn is still buried six feet under. Where the hell is her second chance?

I try not to dwell on it as I turn onto our road and pull down the driveway. Gemma's Nissan is parked alongside the curb. I'm not surprised that she's already here. Since that momentous Tuesday morning, she's come over almost everyday. She's been worried about all of us, especially me. I keep reassuring her that I'm okay, that I feel better than I've felt in years, but she still has her doubts.

Alyx and I get out of the car and head inside. The aroma of Mom's homemade chicken and broccoli alfredo fills my nostrils and makes me salivate. I spot a tray of golden-brown garlic bread resting on the counter, and my stomach lets out a hungry growl. I didn't realize how ravenous I was until I smelled food.

"You're home!" Mom pulls her raven hair into a low ponytail before throwing her arms around my neck. You'd think she hadn't seen me in years. In actuality, it's been two hours.

"I'm home, Mom," I say with a chuckle.

She turns to Alyx. "And how are you, sweetheart? How was your appointment?"

"Great! Baby and I are both healthy," Alyx answers, retrieving the ultrasound photo from her purse. "Um, I asked for extra copies. I thought you and Mr. Beaufort might want one. If not, that's, like, totally fine, but—"

"Of course we want one!" Mom exclaims, practically ripping the paper out of her hand. "Oh, look at my sweet grandbaby. Do you know if it's a boy or a girl yet?"

"Not yet. That's next month's appointment."

"I can't wait to find out! Geoffrey and I are dying to go shopping."

"Me, too," Alyx concurs, brushing a strand of crimson hair out of her face.

"By the way, sweetie," my mom adds, "'Mr. Beaufort' is my father-in-law. Just call us Geoffrey and Calista, okay? We're family now."

Alyx really has become a member of the family. She was a wreck after Benson's departure. We learned that she had a rocky relationship with her own parents, and without Benson, she had no one. Of course, Mom and Dad quickly took her under their parental wing. They vowed to support her however she needed. Even if Benson is gone for good, they still care about Alyx, and they're still really excited to be grandparents.

Then again, they already are grandparents.

With the knowledge that their son had raped Raelyn also came the knowledge that he fathered Evangeline. The little girl they'd been fostering was their own flesh and blood. Their granddaughter had been living under their roof for four months, and they had no idea.

After getting over the initial shock, they made a decision that didn't surprise me in the slightest: to become Evangeline's legal, permanent guardians.

Although Raelyn left her daughter in Gemma's care, my sister isn't ready to raise a kid. She loves Evangeline, but she doesn't want children. She's never wanted children. However, she is a kickass aunt.

As for me, I'm taking the uncle role pretty seriously. Since we're still living under the same roof, I take care of Vange just as much as Mom and Dad. She doesn't refer to me as Uncle Bowie yet, and I haven't asked her to, but maybe it will happen in time. I don't want to rush anything.

"Honey, what time is Zayla getting here?" Mom asks as she sets the dining room table.

"It's Zayna," I correct her, "and she should be here any minute now."

Weeks ago, I promised Zayna that as soon as Benson was no longer a concern, I would introduce her to my family. Tonight, I'm finally fulfilling that promise. She's nervous, and understandably so, but I've assured her countless times that everyone is going to love her as much as I do.

"Bowie has a giiirlfriend!" Evangeline teases me, skipping down the stairs with her journal tucked under her arm.

"Yeah, yeah." I rustle her dark hair before lifting her over my shoulder and carrying her into the front room, where I spin her around three times.

"Put me down!" she says through a fit of giggles. "You're gonna drop me!"

"Don't underestimate me, kiddo." I place her gently on the couch and fetch her journal off the floor, which she dropped during our shenanigans. In a soft voice, I ask, "So... you ready to meet Zayna?"

"I've only been waiting months to finally meet your secret lover," she replies, an enthusiastic grin tugging at her lips.

"Make sure to be extra nice to her, okay? She's nervous about dinner."

"Well, you love her, right?"

I nod my head. "Uh, yeah, of course I do."

"Then I'm sure she's just the best!" Still giggling, Vange throws her skinny arms around my neck and hugs me.

I'm surprised by the sudden display of affection. Months ago, she barely spoke to us, never mind gave out random hugs. It's remarkable how far she's come.

I hope she continues to thrive. In a short time, she's become one of the most important people in my life. Even before she was technically a member of the family, she was family. I vowed to always keep her safe, and I'll be damned if I break that promise.

The sound of tires on gravel catches my attention. I look out the window and see Shamus's tan Toyota pulling into the driveway.

"Is she here?" Vange squeals.

"Indeed she is," I reply. "Be right back, kiddo."

I head outside to greet my anxiety-ridden girlfriend. She never admitted to being nervous, but I know her. As excited as she is to finally meet my parents, she's also petrified that they won't approve of her.

"Hey, baby." I pull her in for a hug as soon as she gets out of the passenger seat. "Fuck, I missed you."

She rests her head against my chest, her nails digging into my shoulder blades. "I missed you, too."

"You have nothing to be worried about," I assure her. "I'm madly in love with you, and my family is going to see that."

Next to us, Shamus rolls down his window. "Zay, what time should I pick you up?"

"I can bring her home," I offer.

"Or you can join us for dinner!" my mom calls from the front porch. She ambles toward us, her arms already outstretched to pull my unsuspecting girlfriend into a bear hug.

"Oh, um, hi," Zayna says, blushing a deep maroon.

"You're so pretty, darling," my mom gushes. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you."

"It's nice to meet you, too, Mrs. Beaufort," she replies.

"Call her Calista," I pipe in, recalling the conversation that was had with Alyx five minutes ago.

"That's right, sweetie. We don't do the last name bullshit around here." Mom shoots Zayna a playful wink before turning her attention to Shamus. "You're the big brother, right? Why don't you come in for dinner?"

"Oh, thank you, but I wouldn't want to impose," Shamus responds.

"It's no imposition at all. We have plenty of food," Mom says. "Please?"

"Just say yes, dude. She's relentless," I tell him.

"Well, alright." His cheeks are the same shade of red as his sister's as he turns off his engine and gets out of the car.

I take Zayna's hand and lead her into the house, where my dad, Gemma, Alyx, and Vange are waiting for us. I introduce Zayna and Shamus to my crazy family. I don't bother with titles. I'm not gonna make dinner awkward by presenting Alyx as my psycho brother's ex who is carrying his child, or Vange as the foster kid turned grandchild/niece. Zayna already knows the messy details. All that matters is that I love these people, and I hope she will love them, too.

Before we sit down to eat, Shamus pulls me aside. His hazel eyes are glued to Alyx as he asks, "Hey, she's not your sister, is she?"

"Uh, n-no, not exactly," I stammer. "Why?"

"She is fine," he whispers. To prove a point, he fans himself with his hand.

"You know she's pregnant, right?" I remind him, already not liking where this conversation is headed.

"Yeah, I see the bump."

"That doesn't, like, turn you off?"

Shamus shakes his head. "Nah, doesn't affect me either way. Is she single?"

"She is, but—"

"You know how I am, Bowie. I'm not a player," he cuts me off. "Help a guy out? Please?"

"I'll put in a good word for you," I give in, "but keep in mind that she's been through a lot. I won't go into detail, but she's pretty vulnerable right now. I doubt she's looking for a relationship."

"I'm familiar with the word 'no.' I've been rejected before," he says with a chuckle. He claps me on the shoulder before adding, "Thanks, man. I really appreciate it."

"Guys, come sit! I'm starving!" Gemma shouts from the table. She is seated in between Evangeline and Zayna. Fortunately, the other chair next to my girl is still available, and I intend on claiming it.

"Sorry," Shamus quickly apologizes and scurries to the dining room.

"Don't fill up too much," I whisper to Zayna as I sit down beside her. "I have something special planned for us for dessert."

"Oh?" She raises her eyebrows.

"You'll like it, I promise," I reply, giving her thigh a squeeze under the table.

My dad clears his throat and raises his glass of sparkling apple juice; when Alyx is around, no one drinks alcohol. Once all eyes are on him, he says, "Before we devour this delicious dinner that my wife has prepared, I just want to say how happy I am that you're all here. It's so nice to be surrounded by friends and family, both old and new."

We all lift our glasses in unison, celebrating each other. I never dreamed there'd be a day I was excited for a family dinner. Holidays and gatherings used to mean one thing: having to put up with my brother. I guess that won't be a problem anymore.

"What are you so smiley about?" Zayna asks me.

"I'm just happy. I like this new normal," I answer. "Alright, let's eat, baby. I'm hungry."