Page 36 of Jax & Knox

Long enough that I stop waiting for something bad to happen.

Owen stirs in his crib behind me, letting out a soft whimper. I turn and scoop him up before he can fully wake, pressing a kiss to his forehead.

"Hey, sweet boy," I murmur. "Did you have a good nap?"

He blinks up at me, his little fist curling around a strand of my hair. Then he yawns, his mouth opening wide, and I can't help but smile.

"Come on," I say softly. "Let's see what those two are up to."

I step out onto the porch, Owen balanced on my hip, and both brothers look up immediately.

"Hey," Jax says, straightening. His green eyes sweep over me, checking, always checking, to make sure I'm okay. "We didn't wake you, did we?"

"No," I say quickly. "I was already awake."

Knox sets the level down and wipes his hands on his jeans. "How're you feeling?"

"Good," I say. And I mean it.

For the first time in days, maybe weeks, I actually feel good .

Jax grins. "We're almost done out here. Just fixing the railing and reinforcing a couple of the steps."

"You didn't have to do that," I say.

"We know," Knox says simply. "We wanted to."

I look between them, something warm and unfamiliar blooming in my chest.

"Thank you," I say quietly.

Jax's grin softens into something gentler. "Anytime, Ainsley."

Owen babbles happily, reaching out toward Knox. Knox's expression shifts immediately, his usual intensity melting into something almost tender as he steps closer.

"Hey, little man," he says, his voice low and rough.

Owen squeals and kicks his legs, and I laugh.

"I think he likes you," I say.

"Good," Knox says. "Because I like him too."

I watch as Knox reaches out and gently ruffles Owen's hair, and something inside me cracks open just a little bit more.

I go back inside and set Owen down in his playpen with a few toys. He immediately grabs his favorite stuffed dinosaur and starts chewing on its tail, content.

I stand there for a moment, looking around the cottage.

It's starting to feel like a home.

The kitchen is stocked with food Scarlett brought. The living room has a cozy couch and a soft rug Tessa insisted I needed. Owen's room is bright and cheerful, decorated with the dinosaur decals Tessa put up.

And outside, Jax and Knox are fixing the porch.

For me and Owen. Because they want to.

I take a deep breath and make a decision.