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Tegan was happy. That was the thought that had settled in her mind as she stood next to Juliette, watching the world around them unfold in peaceful harmony. The house was filled with warmth, laughter echoing through every room as Juliette's parents made her feel like part of the family. It was a strange feeling—this was a new life for Tegan, but it didn't feel foreign. It felt like home.

She glanced at Juliette from the corner of her eye. The way she was standing, the way her smile was a little softer, a little more genuine—it was as if Juliette had come into her own in the most peaceful way. Tegan couldn't help but marvel at the way everything between them had changed. They had moved from being two people who shared fleeting moments to becoming something real. Something steady.They'd made it official the day before, but somehow, it didn't feel like the beginning. It felt like the continuation of something that had always been. It was as if the universe had finally lined everything up perfectly, as if it was always meant to be. The way Juliette's hand felt in hers, the way their hearts seemed to beat in sync—there was a calmness in Tegan that she had never experienced before. A sense of completeness she hadn't realized she was missing."I'm glad I'm here," Tegan said, breaking the silence, her voice quiet but full of meaning. She was staring out at the garden now, the soft evening light casting a golden hue over everything.Juliette was standing next to her, her shoulders brushing against Tegan's as they shared this moment together. Tegan could feel the heat from her body even through their clothes, and it made her smile. "This feels like... this feels like what life should be, you know?" Tegan continued, her voice dipping into something more introspective, vulnerable. She'd never really put that feeling into words before, but in this moment, it felt like the truth. The way Juliette was next to her, the way everything felt real and steady—it made her feel grounded, as if she had finally found where she belonged.Juliette nodded beside her, and Tegan looked down at their hands, tangled together. It was so simple—just the two of them, in this perfect moment, feeling everything settle into place. "I feel that too," Juliette said softly, her voice steady, yet full of that quiet weight of emotion Tegan had come to love. "Like, this is what life is supposed to be. Just... this. Being here. With you."Tegan's chest tightened with something that was hard to put into words. She had always known what it felt like to be happy, but this was different. This happiness didn't feel like a fleeting thing; it felt permanent. It was a deep, rooted contentment that made her heart swell every time she thought about it. She was in the right place, with the right person."You know," Tegan said, turning to face Juliette fully, "I never thought life could feel like this. Like it's all in the right place. I've always felt like something was missing. But with you..." She didn't finish her sentence, not needing to. The words weren't important. What mattered was that Juliette knew.Juliette smiled at her, and it was a smile that made Tegan's heart skip. It wasn't a forced smile, or even a smile for the sake of appearance. It was real. It was Juliette being herself. And it made Tegan want to protect that smile, to protect everything that Juliette was.Without thinking, Tegan leaned in, her lips meeting Juliette's in a kiss that was both gentle and firm. The world around them seemed to stop, and for a moment, nothing existed except the two of them. When they pulled away, Tegan's forehead gently rested against Juliette's, their breaths mingling in the quiet of the evening."I'm happy you're here," Juliette whispered, her voice soft but steady, as if she had finally found the words to express everything Tegan had been feeling."I'm happy I'm here too," Tegan murmured, holding onto the moment a little longer before stepping back to look at her. She could see the way Juliette's eyes softened, the way her body seemed to relax, as if they had crossed some invisible line, one that signified this moment, this relationship, was something that would last.---The day had been full of simple moments that, in hindsight, Tegan realized were the most important parts of her life. She had helped Juliette's family in the kitchen, had gotten to know them in the most natural way possible. They had all shared a dinner together, and Juliette had insisted on taking her parents' stories with the kind of humor only someone who had lived through them could appreciate. As they finished up dinner, Juliette's dad had caught Tegan's eye, offering a knowing smile that Tegan couldn't quite interpret. It was like Juliette's family already saw the connection, even before the two of them had labeled it. It wasn't the words that mattered; it was the way they made each other feel. Later, after the dinner had wound down, they all retreated to the living room for a movie night. Tegan found herself lost in the comforting rhythm of being with Juliette's family—she felt accepted, embraced, like she had always belonged. This was the kind of life she had always dreamed of, the kind of warmth she had never truly known until Juliette came into her life.As the movie played, Tegan leaned back against the couch, her hand gently resting on Juliette's. The movie was good, but it wasn't what kept Tegan's attention. It was the feeling of having Juliette by her side, her presence just enough to make everything feel perfect.After the movie, Juliette's parents exchanged hugs and goodnights, and Tegan stood in the doorway for a few moments, watching them. There was a warmth here that she hadn't felt anywhere else. It wasn't just the way her parents had welcomed her into their home; it was how they had accepted the two of them. There was no hesitation. No judgment. Just love. As the door clicked softly shut, Tegan turned to Juliette, who was standing beside her, her hand reaching for hers."You okay?" Juliette asked, her voice light, teasing. "You seem a little lost in thought."Tegan smiled, squeezing her hand. "I was just thinking how lucky I am," she said, her voice quiet but full of meaning.Juliette raised an eyebrow, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Lucky, huh?""Yeah," Tegan replied, her eyes bright. "I feel like I've found something real. Something that... I didn't know I needed. And now I can't imagine life without it."Juliette's smile softened, her hand reaching to gently cup Tegan's cheek. "I feel that too."Tegan closed her eyes for a moment, letting the words hang in the air between them. She didn't need to say anything more. They both knew. In that moment, everything felt right.---As Tegan got into her car later that night, after saying goodnight to Juliette and her family, she couldn't shake the feeling that this was the start of something huge. Something real. Something beautiful.This wasn't just a relationship—it was a life. A life she never thought was possible. And as she drove back to her house, she couldn't help but think about how her heart had found its home, and how everything was finally falling into place.This was it. This was where she was meant to be. With Juliette, with her family, with this life. And it was more than enough. It was everything.---Later that night, as Tegan lay in bed, her thoughts kept drifting back to Juliette. To the way her smile made everything feel okay, to the way their hearts seemed to beat in unison. It was more than just being happy with Juliette—it was the realization that she was happy because of who Juliette was.And that, Tegan thought as she drifted off to sleep, was the most beautiful thing she had ever known.