I love the feeling of the plump pillow cradling my head as Connor’s hard body cushions the curve of my ass. I open my eyes and smile as I run my hand down his tattooed arm, protectively thrown over me, keeping me close.

It was a long night at the hospital, and having him by my side the entire time made the whole thing bearable. I graze my fingertips over the colorful mosaic of ink and snuggle back into him with a sigh.

“Good morning beautiful,” he softly kisses the back of my neck, sending tingles spreading out through me.

“Good morning,” my voice is still heavy with sleep, and I roll over to face him, giving him a tender kiss.

“How are you feeling now? Is everything still okay?” His hand travels down my waist and rests on my little belly. I watch concern roll over his emerald eyes like gray clouds over a stormy sea.

“It is. I got up to pee last night and the bleeding had completely stopped. Everything is going to be just fine,” I reassure him, repeating what the doctor told me.

“Good, I was worried,” I expect him to pull me into him, maybe try to get a little morning snack here in bed with me before we go get breakfast, but instead, he runs his hand down over my arm and threads his fingers between mine.

Connor rests his head on his other hand and smirks as he studies my face, “I can’t believe how beautiful you are, even when you just wake up. You’re stunning, you know that?”

I look down at his lips, smiling. Fourteen years ago I could only dream of waking up next to him like this. I could only fantasize about him telling me I’m beautiful. It’s amazing to see the look in his eyes when he soaks me in. Like he’s in awe. I’ve never spent a lot of time trying to be beautiful. I was too awkward as a teen and just never got the hang of all the makeup tips or fashion. But when he looks at me like that, I feel like none of that matters. Like he can see the real me, and I can feel his love radiating out, enveloping me in his heart like I’m wrapped in his arms right now.

“You’re not too bad yourself,” I tease him and give him a kiss. “Although, I’ve gotta say, you’re wearing entirely too many clothes if you ask me,” I walk my fingers over his chest and let them trail down to the edge of his underwear, but am surprised when he pulls back like I just poured a cup of ice water over his head.

“What’s wrong?” I pout, watching him jump out of bed and tug on his pants.

“Wrong? Nothing, I just want to get some breakfast,” his voice is tight and I can’t help but feel like I’ve done something wrong. Two seconds ago, he was holding me close and murmuring about my beauty and now he looks like he’s trying to run out the door.

“Ok, well there’s no fire. Come back to bed and we’ll get breakfast after,” I pat the warm space he just leapt from on the mattress.

“No, let’s get up. I’m starving,” he looks at me from the corner of his eye as his words fall unconvincingly on my ears.

“Um, ok,” I slide out of bed, confused, but I don’t want to push it. I’m not sure what’s going on with Connor, but I know better than to make a big deal out of it. Besides, if I’m honest, it stings a bit to get rejected by him like this and I don’t really want to keep getting shut down.

I tug on my clothes and follow Connor upstairs to the kitchen on the main floor. The aroma that only a month ago would’ve sent me running to the bathroom to throw up, wafts around me and my stomach growls.

Bacon.

I lick my lips and practically float on the aromatic trail, like the old commercials of Toucan Sam, I just follow my nose into the kitchen.

“Good morning you two,” Marcus beams as he tugs an oven mitt down over his hand and lifts a hot plate piled high with pancakes from the warming burner. “I was starting to think you were going to sleep the whole day away,” he laughs like he just said something funny and takes the plate over to the table, putting it down on a pot holder.

“What’s all this?” I look at the dining room table in shock. With three place settings all ready for us and plates of scrambled eggs, bacon, pancakes and sliced strawberries down the center of the table, it looks like an IHOP advertisement.

“I thought it would be nice for us all to eat together, come sit down,” he corrals us to the table and I sit down across from Connor and dig in.

“Wow, this looks amazing, thank you,” Connor begins scooping eggs and pilfering crispy strips of bacon onto his plate.

“Of course, enjoy,” Marcus starts stacking his own plate with the food and I grab a couple of pancakes and slide them onto my plate.

“Thank you Marcus,” I slather butter over the fluffy pancakes and grab some syrup. “Hey, save some bacon for the rest of us,” I grab the plate from Connor laughing.

For a second we all dig in to the breakfast buffet and all you can hear are the sounds of our forks scraping over the china and us munching on the delicious food.

I look up at Connor and over to my brother before peering down at my belly. I’d always hoped that we would all come together as a family like this, but it looked so bleak that I didn’t think it would happen. I can’t help the sweet smile that pulls at the corners of my mouth right now. It just feels like everything in this moment is perfect.

“Hey, so I was up late last night thinking,” Marcus interrupts my thoughts and Connor and I look over to him.

“Yeah?” Connor’s eyebrows shoot up.

“Yeah, I was thinking about the house here, you know, Mom and Dad left it to me, but I don’t have a family to fill it. It’s too big and empty for me to live in alone,” Marcus finishes chewing his pancake and swallows it down with some orange juice.

“Ok,” I tilt my head wondering where this is going.

“This place isn’t meant to be one man’s empty castle,” my brother continues. “It’s meant to be lived in by a family. The halls are supposed to be filled with the pitter-patter of little feet. This dining room is meant to have big family dinners in.”

“What are you saying?” Connor’s fork stops in midair with yellow scrambled eggs piled on top.

“I want to give you two the house.” Marcus puffs out his chest proudly. “It’s what our parents would have wanted,” he nods at me. “I’ve decided that I will move into a condo closer to the church and that you two will take this place. It’s perfect for the little one and however many other little ones you have after this,” Marcus smiles at me but I don’t return it.

“But, Connor already has a house. And he’s already renovated it for the baby,” I shake my head slowly.

“Yeah, right,” Marcus almost spits out his juice with surprise. “You can’t raise a family in old man Lou’s rundown shack. That’s not a place for children. I’m actually shocked that it’s not condemned,” he steamrolls over me, ignoring the part where I said “renovated.”

“Listen, it’s a nice offer, Marcus,” Connor interjects, “but I’ve done a lot of work on my place. It’s a good home for the baby. I’m proud of my place and Charlotte is happy there,” he looks over at me and I nod in agreement.

“Yeah, we’re going to pass. But, it’s an incredibly thoughtful offer.” I agree with Connor.

The smug smile slips from my brother’s lips and he looks at us in disbelief. “You’re kidding, right? You can’t honestly tell me you’re going to pass on me giving you this house to live like some hillbilly in the woods. You’re going to live here, don’t be ridiculous, let’s just enjoy breakfast and we’ll work out all the details later.” Marcus lifts his fork and stabs a strawberry, munching on it as Connor and I stare at him.

Who does he think he is? He might have raised me when our parents passed, but he’s not my father. Besides, I’m a grown woman and it’s about time he learns that.

“No, I’m not joking. There’s nothing funny about this actually,” the sweet taste of maple syrup turns to ashes on my tongue as anger splashes up inside me. “You’re not my boss, Marcus. You don’t get to tell me how to run my life, you don’t get to tell me who I can love,” I nod at Connor, “and you definitely don’t tell me where I’m going to raise my baby. I don’t know where you got this idea that you’re some kind of supreme emperor and we’re all here to bend to your will, but you better get over it. You preach about Jesus, you aren’t actually Christ, okay? And just because you sit there with that stupid smirk on your face and tell us that our house should be condemned doesn’t mean it’s true. You don’t even know the first thing about what you’re talking about. When have you even stopped by and seen the place, huh? When have you set your stupid temper and pride aside and welcomed Connor back to Bend? As usual you think you know everything and you don’t know shit.” The flames burn up inside me. Years of my brother’s meddling and rules have restrained me and I’m breaking free.

“Lottie, stop being ridiculous, just eat your breakfast and relax.” Marcus tries to brush me off, yet again, but this time I won’t listen to him. I’ve had enough.

“No thanks Marcus. We’re leaving, right Connor,” I stand up from the table and he does too.

“Yup, sounds like it’s time to go,” he sighs heavily.

“I stomp out to the front hall and tug my shoes on my feet but Marcus doesn’t move from the table. He’s like a statue.

“Maybe before you insult Connor’s house you should actually stop by and see it sometime. I’m not moving in here, Marcus, I wish I could thank you for the offer, but it never really was an offer, was it? Just another command, but guess what? I’m your sister, not your dog, and I’m going to live my life how I want,” I open the front door and wrap my fingers around Connor’s hand as I walk through.

As my feet hit the step, I feel lighter than I have in years. I feel like a refugee who finally left an oppressive country behind for a new start in a new land. I finally feel like I’m free to live my life how I choose, and if Marcus wants to throw another fit about this and ice me out again, so be it. I choose my life and my future with Connor and my baby, and if my brother can’t fit into that life, then I guess I’ll have to cut the only thread left to my old family and sew new ones with my new family.