jo .ᐟ

The night had arrived. Paige had everything planned out perfectly, from the restaurant reservations to the quiet walk under the stars afterwards. She was excited — excited for the night they would spend together, to show Azzi just how much she cared for her.

She had been thinking about this night for days, knowing how much Azzi deserved to feel special. The UConn basketball team had just wrapped up a successful season, and with the championship win behind them, Paige figured it was time for them to enjoy some peace and quiet, without the pressure of games or practices. This night was all about them.

She checked the time, glancing nervously at the door. She had dressed up in one of her favorite dresses, hoping Azzi would be impressed. The evening was perfect — cool enough for a light jacket, with just enough breeze to make the air feel refreshing.

But as the minutes ticked by, Paige's excitement began to give way to concern.

Where is she?

Azzi had promised she’d be there, but the minutes continued to stretch on. Paige checked her phone again, seeing no messages from Azzi. She couldn't help but feel a sting of disappointment.

Azzi wasn't the type to forget things, especially when it came to Paige. They had always been good at communicating. But this... this felt different.

Ten minutes passed. Then twenty. Still no word.

She tried calling Azzi, but the call went straight to voicemail. Her stomach twisted in a knot.

What’s going on?

Another five minutes. Another unanswered call. Paige’s heart began to race, and frustration slowly crept in.

It had been an hour since Paige first started waiting. She had tried texting, calling, but there was still no sign of Azzi. The romantic mood she had tried so hard to create had vanished, replaced by a sinking feeling in her chest. Her frustration only deepened as she checked her phone again — no updates.

She grabbed her jacket and slipped it on, her frustration simmering beneath the surface. If Azzi didn’t even care enough to show up tonight... was something else wrong?

Her thoughts spiraled as she paced the living room. Was this about the game? Had something happened at practice that she didn’t know about? Had they been spending too much time apart lately?

She was pulled from her thoughts by the sound of the front door opening.

Azzi walked in, looking distracted, a far cry from the bright, energetic woman Paige knew and loved.

Azzi’s eyes flicked over to Paige, her expression unreadable. She froze in the doorway. "Paige, I—"

"You forgot." Paige’s voice was sharper than she intended, but the sting of abandonment hit hard. "I planned this entire night for us. I’ve been waiting here, worried, wondering where the hell you’ve been. And you just... forgot?"

Azzi’s shoulders sagged. "Paige, I didn’t mean to—"

"You didn’t mean to? You forgot!" Paige’s voice cracked. "I’ve been here, all dressed up, ready for our night, and you—" She stopped herself before her voice could rise too much.

Azzi bit her lip, clearly torn. "I’m sorry, I got caught up at the gym. I lost track of time. I didn’t—"

"How could you lose track of time?!" Paige snapped, her frustration bubbling over. "You said you’d be here. You knew how much this meant to me. I’ve been waiting for hours. I feel stupid for believing you’d actually show up for something that was just for us."

Azzi opened her mouth, then closed it again. She stepped forward, but Paige took a step back. She wasn’t ready to hear whatever Azzi was going to say.

Paige’s breathing came in short bursts, her chest tightening. "I thought you cared. I thought we were on the same page. But maybe I’m just... not as important as I thought."

Azzi’s expression faltered, but she didn’t say anything right away. She just stared at Paige, eyes wide with guilt.

Azzi’s silence weighed heavily in the room. Paige’s heart felt like it was splitting in two. She had poured so much of herself into this relationship, always trying to be there, always trying to make it work. And now... now she was standing there, broken-hearted and frustrated, with Azzi just staring at her.

“You know what?” Paige spat, her voice trembling with both anger and hurt. “Maybe it’s better this way. Maybe we should just stop pretending everything’s fine. I’m tired of this. I’m tired of waiting for you to remember me.”

Azzi’s face paled, and her eyes widened, the guilt becoming visible in the way she clenched her fists at her sides. “Paige, please—”

“No!” Paige interrupted. “Don’t you dare apologize! I’m done.”

Without another word, Paige turned and walked out of the room, slamming the door behind her. She needed to be anywhere but there, away from the raw emotion that was surging through her.

Azzi’s call of her name echoed in the hallway, but Paige didn’t stop. She couldn’t face her right now.

Azzi stood in the middle of the living room, feeling like the ground had just been ripped from beneath her. The door had slammed shut with a finality that made her stomach drop. She hated how badly she had messed things up, and now she had to fix it. But first... she needed to get to Paige.

Azzi grabbed her keys and dashed out the door. Paige was angry, and she had every right to be, but Azzi couldn’t let her go. She couldn’t stand to see her upset like that. She had to make it right.

But as she hurried to the car, her mind was clouded with the fight, with everything she had said and the guilt she felt for messing up. It all hit her at once, and she wasn’t focused on the road.

Her hands gripped the steering wheel, the wind from the open window rushing through her hair, but her thoughts were scattered. She could hear Paige’s voice, her hurt, her anger echoing in her ears. And then, in a blink, the car swerved.

Azzi didn’t even have time to react.

A sharp, blinding pain shot through her body as the car careened off the road and slammed into a tree. The impact left her breathless, her head spinning.

For a few moments, Azzi just sat there, dazed, her heart racing as she tried to make sense of what had just happened.

She reached up to touch her forehead and felt blood. Panic set in, but before she could do anything else, her phone rang. It was Paige.

Shit, Azzi thought. She had to answer, but the dizziness was overwhelming. She fought through the haze and managed to press the answer button.

“Paige?” Azzi’s voice was weak, barely a whisper.

“Azzi? Azzi, where are you? What’s going on?!” Paige’s frantic voice cut through the phone.

“I... I...” Azzi struggled to form words. “I’m... I’m sorry, Paige... I...”

“Where are you?! What happened?!” Paige’s voice cracked.

“I... I crashed...” Azzi gasped for air.

Paige’s heart stopped when Azzi’s voice went quiet. “Azzi? Azzi!” Paige shouted into the phone, her voice thick with panic.

There was a moment of silence before Azzi’s weak voice came back, barely audible. “I’m… I’m in an accident, Paige. I… I crashed the car.”

"Where are you?!" Paige’s voice cracked as she tried to hold back the tears, her hands shaking. “Azzi, please… please tell me where you are."

“I’m…” Azzi’s voice faltered, and Paige could hear her breathing erratically. “I’m on… on Route 9... by the old park... I… I don’t know…”

“Stay on the phone,” Paige said, her panic escalating. “I’m coming. I’m coming now. Don’t move, Azzi, just stay with me, okay?”

Paige ran to her car, not even bothering to lock the door behind her. She threw herself into the driver’s seat and started the engine, her hands trembling as she gripped the wheel. Her mind was a whirlwind of fear, guilt, and frustration, but all she could focus on was getting to Azzi.

The whole drive felt like an eternity. The road blurred as she sped through the streets, her thoughts racing. She couldn’t stop thinking about how she had left Azzi, how their argument had pushed her away. Was this her fault? If she had stayed calm, if she hadn’t been so angry, would Azzi have stayed home?

A rush of guilt flooded her chest, making it hard to breathe.

When she reached the location Azzi had mentioned, Paige’s heart dropped into her stomach. The car was wrecked, smashed against a tree on the side of the road, steam rising from the hood.

Azzi’s body was slumped against the door, blood on her forehead, but she was still alive.

“Azzi!” Paige screamed as she rushed out of the car, running toward her.

Azzi’s head lifted slightly as Paige knelt beside her, her eyes unfocused. “Paige…” Azzi murmured weakly.

“Don’t speak,” Paige urged, trying to keep her voice steady despite the overwhelming fear. “Stay still, okay? Just stay still. I’m here.”

Azzi’s eyes fluttered, and she winced as she tried to move. “I’m sorry, Paige... I didn’t mean to... I...”

Paige grabbed her hand, squeezing it tightly. “Stop. Don’t say that. Don’t apologize.”

Azzi’s breaths were shallow as she tried to sit up, but the pain was too much. She collapsed back against the car with a gasp. “I was so stupid…”

“No,” Paige said fiercely. “You’re not stupid. You’re hurt. We’ll get you help. Just stay with me, okay?”

Azzi’s hand trembled in Paige’s as she closed her eyes, trying to fight the pain. "I didn't... I didn't mean to forget..."

Paige brushed a stray strand of hair from Azzi’s forehead, her own eyes filled with tears. “We’ll talk later. Just stay with me.”

The ambulance arrived what felt like an eternity later, the wail of the sirens echoing in Paige’s ears. She refused to leave Azzi’s side, her heart in her throat as the paramedics carefully pulled Azzi from the wreckage and onto a stretcher.

Paige didn’t want to let go. She didn’t care about the paramedics rushing around, didn’t care about the questions they asked her. All that mattered was Azzi — her girlfriend, her best friend — lying there, injured and unconscious.

The ride to the hospital was agonizingly silent. Paige kept holding Azzi’s hand the entire time, her own grip tightening whenever the car hit a bump. Every second felt like a year. She was trapped in a world of guilt and worry, her mind replaying the argument over and over.

When they finally reached the hospital, the paramedics quickly wheeled Azzi into the ER, and Paige was left standing in the hallway, helpless. She felt as though she was being torn in two — part of her wanted to scream, to do something, to make this right. But all she could do was wait.

Minutes felt like hours. Every time the door opened, Paige’s heart skipped a beat, her stomach twisting in fear.

The doctor finally emerged, looking tired but calm. “She’s stable,” the doctor said, offering Paige a small, reassuring smile. “We’ve cleaned her up. She’s going to be okay.”

Paige exhaled a breath she didn’t even realize she was holding. “She… she’s okay?” Her voice trembled.

The doctor nodded. “She has a concussion, some bruising, and cuts on her face, but there’s no major damage. She’ll need to rest, but we expect her to make a full recovery.”

Relief flooded through Paige’s body. She felt like she could finally breathe again.

“She’s awake, if you want to see her,” the doctor added.

Without hesitation, Paige rushed to Azzi’s room, her heart hammering in her chest.

The next few days were a blur of hospital visits, paperwork, and endless concern. Azzi’s body was healing, but the emotional toll of the accident was far from over. Paige never left her side, even when the doctors insisted that Azzi would be fine. She knew Azzi needed her more than ever, even if Azzi couldn’t admit it.

The first night Azzi was home, Paige set up a cozy spot on the couch for them to lie together. She gently helped Azzi settle in, her eyes never leaving her girlfriend’s face. It still haunted her, the image of Azzi’s battered form after the crash. Every bruise, every scrape felt like a reminder of how close she had come to losing her.

Azzi rested her head on Paige’s chest, her hand clutching Paige’s shirt as she drifted in and out of sleep.

“Azzi…” Paige whispered into her hair, her fingers gently running through the soft strands. “I love you so much.”

Azzi didn’t answer right away, but Paige could feel her squeeze her hand, the small action a quiet reminder that they were still in this together.

“I’m sorry,” Azzi murmured, her voice rough with exhaustion. “I’m so sorry for everything... for making you feel like you weren’t important. I never wanted to hurt you.”

“I know,” Paige replied softly, her heart aching for the pain Azzi was carrying. “I shouldn’t have let my anger get in the way. I was scared. I thought... I thought maybe we were losing each other.”

Azzi shifted, her eyes fluttering open to meet Paige’s gaze. “We’re not losing each other,” she said firmly, her voice stronger now. “I promise. No matter what, we’re in this together. We always have been.”

Paige smiled through the tears that threatened to spill over. “Together,” she repeated, her voice thick with emotion.

For a moment, they simply lay there, wrapped in each other’s arms, the weight of the world momentarily forgotten. Azzi’s head rested against Paige’s chest, her breathing steady.

It wasn’t just about the physical healing. It was about the emotional wounds — the hurt they had caused each other and the trust they had to rebuild. But they would rebuild it together, just like they always did. Slowly, and with love.

The days that followed were filled with healing — both physical and emotional. Azzi’s bruises faded, and her cuts healed, but it was the emotional scars that took longer to mend. Paige stayed by her side, not rushing anything, just allowing them to find their way back to each other.

On the fifth day after the accident, Azzi finally felt well enough to leave the house. Paige had planned a quiet day for them. No arguments, no expectations — just the two of them, taking things slow.

They walked through the park hand in hand, the sun shining down, casting warm light over their path.

Azzi smiled, her face soft and relaxed for the first time in days. “You know, I never thought I’d be the one to mess up like this.”

Paige chuckled softly. “We all make mistakes, Azzi. The important thing is that we learn from them and we grow. Together.”

Azzi squeezed her hand. “I’m glad we’re growing together.”

“I wouldn’t want to do this with anyone else,” Paige said, her voice full of warmth. “I love you, Azzi. More than anything.”

Azzi stopped walking and turned to face Paige, her expression serious. “I love you too. And I promise… I’m never going to let something like this come between us again. We’ve been through too much, and I’m not giving up on us.”

Paige felt her heart swell with affection, and without thinking, she pulled Azzi into a tight embrace, pressing her lips to Azzi’s forehead. “You’re my everything, Azzi. I’ll always be here for you. Always.”

Azzi leaned into the hug, her eyes closed as she breathed in Paige’s scent, feeling safe and loved in her arms. “I’m sorry, Paige. For everything.”

Paige pulled back just enough to look into Azzi’s eyes. “There’s nothing to apologize for. We’re okay. We’re better than okay.”

And for the first time in a long while, they both believed it.

Azzi was propped up in bed, her head wrapped in bandages, but her eyes were open. She looked up when Paige walked in, her lips parting as she winced in pain.

"Azzi," Paige breathed, her voice softer than she had intended. She rushed to her side, taking Azzi’s hand gently. “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have said all those things. I shouldn’t have left like that.”

Azzi’s eyes fluttered, and a weak smile tugged at her lips. “It’s my fault,” she whispered. “I forgot about the date, Paige. I was so caught up in everything, I didn’t think about how much it meant to you.”

“I was angry,” Paige admitted, her voice breaking. “And I didn’t think about how much you needed me, too. I thought... I thought maybe we were falling apart.”

“We’re not falling apart,” Azzi murmured, her voice weak but full of sincerity. “We’re not.”

Paige brushed a tear from her cheek, her heart swelling with love for this woman who had always been so strong. “I love you, Azzi. I don’t care what happens. I just need you here with me.”

Azzi squeezed her hand. “I’m not going anywhere. I promise.”

It was a few weeks later when things finally started to feel like they were returning to normal. Azzi was back at practice, and although she was still cautious, her energy was starting to bounce back. There were still moments when the weight of the accident would fall on her — those rare, quiet moments when she would look off into the distance and her mind would clearly wander. But Paige was always there, always ready to remind her that they would get through it together.

One afternoon, after a particularly grueling practice, Azzi returned home to find Paige sitting on the couch, a book in her lap, but her attention focused entirely on the door. Her eyes lit up when Azzi walked in.

“Hey,” Azzi said, walking over to her, still a bit worn out from the intense workout. “You waiting for me?”

Paige smiled, setting the book down. “Always.”

Azzi’s heart skipped a beat. “I’m really sorry, you know,” she murmured, her voice soft. “For all of it. The fight, the accident... I didn’t realize how much I was pushing you away. How much I was taking you for granted.”

Paige shook her head, a small smile forming on her lips. “We both messed up, Azzi. But what matters is that we’re here now. We’re not giving up on each other.”

Azzi stepped forward, taking Paige’s hand in her own. “I’ll never take you for granted again. I promise.”

“I know you won’t,” Paige replied gently, squeezing Azzi’s hand. “We’ve been through worse, and we’ve made it out stronger. This isn’t any different. We’re a team, always.”

Azzi’s eyes softened, and she leaned down to kiss Paige softly on the lips, her lips lingering for a moment longer than usual, as if reassuring each other that they were still there. Still in this together.

As the weeks passed, their relationship continued to grow, strengthened by the challenges they’d faced. There were still tough moments, of course. No relationship was without its bumps in the road. But now, Paige and Azzi were no longer running away from their problems or shutting each other out. Instead, they were facing them head-on, learning, growing, and most importantly, loving each other more deeply with each passing day.

One night, after another long practice, Azzi came home to find Paige setting up their favorite spot on the couch. The familiar scent of their homemade dinner filled the air.

Azzi raised an eyebrow, a grin forming on her face. “What’s all this?”

Paige turned to her with a playful smile. “I figured we could use another date night. No games. No distractions. Just us.”

Azzi’s heart melted. “I love you.”

“I love you more,” Paige replied with a wink.

They ate, laughed, and talked about everything and nothing. It was a quiet, perfect evening — the kind that they had been craving ever since everything had fallen apart.

After dinner, they settled on the couch again, with Azzi’s head on Paige’s lap, both of them wrapped in a cozy blanket. The TV was on, but neither of them was really paying attention.

Azzi looked up at Paige, her voice quiet and serious. “You’re the best thing in my life, Paige. I’ve never been more sure of anything.”

Paige smiled softly, running her fingers through Azzi’s hair. “And you’re mine. Always.”

For the first time in a long while, everything felt right. They were healed, not just physically but emotionally, and stronger than ever. They had faced their demons, fought through the tough times, and come out on the other side more united than before.

Together, they could conquer anything.

A few months later, things were more solid than ever. Paige and Azzi were walking down the street together, hand in hand, with the sun setting behind them. They had both come so far since that painful night, and now they were finally in a place where their love felt invincible.

Paige looked over at Azzi, a soft smile on her lips. “Do you remember that night? When you forgot about the date and everything went crazy?”

Azzi chuckled softly, though it was a quiet laugh, tinged with a touch of remorse. “I’ll never forget it. But I’m glad we got through it.”

“I think it made us stronger,” Paige said thoughtfully, glancing over at Azzi. “We had to face our issues head-on. No more running away.”

Azzi squeezed Paige’s hand. “No more running away.”

They continued walking in comfortable silence, their hearts in sync, knowing that whatever came their way in the future, they would face it together — stronger, more united than ever before.

Azzi stopped suddenly and turned to face Paige, her eyes serious. “I love you, Paige. More than anything in this world. I can’t imagine my life without you.”

Paige’s heart swelled. “I love you too, Azzi. Forever.”

The late March air outside the Dallas arena was heavy and warm, the city humming under a velvet sky. Inside, the stadium buzzed with fading energy, fans lingering by the court to get one last glimpse of the night's stars.

Paige Bueckers barely registered any of it.

The game was a blur behind her — the points, the assists, even the standing ovation she got after a no-look pass that made the highlight reel. She smiled, she waved, she answered reporters’ questions like she was supposed to. It was automatic now — a mask she slipped on and off depending on who was watching.

But inside, she was lonely.

Bone-deep lonely.

The kind that made her chest feel hollow no matter how loud the crowd screamed her name.

It wasn’t that she didn’t love her life — the WNBA had always been the dream. She loved the grind, the speed, the stage of it all. She loved her team, her coaches, the fans. She even loved Dallas, most days.

But none of it was enough when she went home at night to a cold, empty apartment.

Home.

That word barely meant anything without Azzi.

God, she missed her.

She missed her laugh, the one that bubbled up from her chest and made Paige feel weightless. She missed the smell of her shampoo. She missed the way Azzi would curl into her side, stealing all the covers, mumbling nonsense in her sleep.

She missed having someone to come home to.

And tonight, after another long game, another exhausting performance, she felt the ache sharper than ever.

Paige trudged off the court, towel slung around her neck, ignoring the lingering flashes of cameras. She just wanted to shower, crawl into bed, and maybe FaceTime Azzi until she passed out.

She wasn’t ready for what was waiting just around the corner.

Paige slowed instinctively as she rounded the hallway into the players' tunnel. Something — she didn’t know what — made her glance up.

And froze.

There, leaning against the wall in her beat-up sneakers and her UConn hoodie, clutching a bouquet of half-crushed sunflowers, was Azzi Fudd.

Paige’s brain short-circuited.

It didn’t feel real. It couldn’t be real.

Azzi.

Her Azzi.

Her best friend, her favorite person, the girl who still showed up in every one of Paige's dreams no matter how far apart they were.

Azzi’s eyes found hers across the distance — wide, shining, nervous — and for a second, neither of them moved.

Paige’s heart slammed against her ribs, wild and desperate.

And then she ran.

The gym bag hit the ground with a heavy thud as she sprinted across the hallway, crashing into Azzi with so much force that the flowers went flying.

Azzi let out a soft "oof," but she caught her easily, wrapping her arms around Paige like she’d been waiting her whole life for this moment.

Paige buried her face in the curve of Azzi’s neck, breathing her in — warm skin, vanilla shampoo, the faintest trace of airplane air. It was so Azzi it hurt.

"I thought I was dreaming," Paige whispered, voice breaking.

Azzi laughed, shaky and close to tears. "I’m really here."

Paige pulled back enough to see her face — flushed cheeks, shining eyes, that perfect crooked smile.

She cupped Azzi’s cheeks in her hands, thumbing away a tear she didn’t realize she was crying. "You didn’t tell me."

Azzi shrugged, ducking her head, suddenly shy. "I wanted to surprise you. We got a break after the tournament, so... I booked a flight. Almost missed my connection. The Uber driver almost killed me on the freeway. But—" She smiled, tilting her head. "Worth it."

Paige laughed wetly, the sound half-sob, half-joy. She shook her head, overwhelmed, and leaned in.

Their kiss was slow and tender, a thousand I-missed-yous poured into a single touch. Azzi melted into her like she always did, like they were two pieces of the same whole finally slotting back together.

Around them, the stadium noise faded into a distant hum. It was just them. It had always been just them.

They barely made it back to Paige’s car, hands tangled together like lifelines.

The drive to her apartment was a series of stolen glances and half-finished sentences. Paige kept reaching over to brush her fingers against Azzi’s thigh, like she couldn’t bear not touching her.

Azzi was still in her travel clothes — oversized hoodie, leggings, hair messily knotted — and Paige thought she looked like the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen.

"You’re really here," Paige whispered again at a red light.

Azzi smiled at her, sleepy and radiant. "I’m really here."

Paige wanted to cry all over again.

Inside the apartment, Paige dropped everything at the door.

Azzi wandered through the small space, taking it all in — the framed photos of Paige’s first WNBA season, the pair of sneakers abandoned by the couch, the lone sunflower stuck into a water glass on the kitchen counter.

Paige stood in the doorway, watching her nervously.

"It’s not much," she said, rubbing the back of her neck.

Azzi turned around, her smile soft. "It’s perfect. It’s yours."

Paige crossed the room in three steps and kissed her again, fierce and grateful and aching all at once.

They stumbled to the couch, laughing breathlessly. Azzi straddled Paige’s lap, her hands bracketing her face, her forehead pressed to Paige’s.

"I missed you so much it physically hurt," Paige whispered.

Azzi nodded, eyes glassy. "Me too."

They stayed there for a long time, tangled together, whispering nonsense and trading kisses so soft they barely felt like touches.

Paige traced lazy patterns on Azzi’s back, feeling the way her breathing slowed, the way she relaxed fully for the first time in months.

At some point, they drifted into the bedroom, barely managing to peel off their hoodies and jeans before collapsing onto the bed, wrapped around each other like ivy.

Paige fell asleep with her nose buried in Azzi’s hair, Azzi’s fingers tangled with hers under the covers.

She woke up to sunlight streaming through the windows, birds chattering somewhere outside.

And Azzi.

Still there.

Still real.

Paige watched her sleep for a long time, memorizing every little detail — the way her nose scrunched slightly, the faint smudges of eyeliner still clinging to her lashes, the slow, even rise and fall of her chest.

Azzi shifted, mumbling something incoherent, and tucked herself closer to Paige’s side, throwing a leg over her hip.

Paige smiled so wide her face hurt.

Eventually, Azzi blinked awake, bleary-eyed and adorable.

"Mornin’," she mumbled, voice rough with sleep.

Paige kissed her forehead. "Best morning ever."

Azzi giggled and buried her face in Paige’s neck. "You’re clingy."

"You showed up across the country," Paige said. "You’re stuck with clingy."

Azzi just smiled, pressing a sleepy kiss to her collarbone.

They stayed like that for a while, cocooned in each other, until Paige’s stomach growled loudly enough to make Azzi snort with laughter.

"Food?" Azzi offered, grinning.

Paige groaned. "I don’t wanna move."

"I’ll cook," Azzi teased. "You just sit there and look pretty."

Paige perked up instantly. "Marry me?"

Azzi laughed, shoving her playfully before dragging herself out of bed.

Paige watched her pad into the kitchen, stealing one of her oversized shirts to wear, her hair a sleepy halo around her head.

And for the first time in months — maybe longer — Paige felt whole.

Not because of the wins or the trophies or the fans.

Because of this.

Because Azzi had found her, across miles and airports and chaos, and she wasn’t letting go.

Paige grabbed her phone and snapped a quick, blurry picture of Azzi at the stove, flipping pancakes with her tongue sticking out in concentration.

My favorite view, she captioned it, sending it to Azzi with a heart emoji.

Azzi looked up, caught her, and winked.

Paige laughed out loud, heart so full she thought it might burst.

She didn’t know where the season would take her. She didn’t know what challenges were waiting. But right now — messy apartment, burnt pancakes, sunflowers wilting in a glass on the counter — this was home.

This was everything.

And she wasn’t letting it go.

Not now.