Lucas stayed in my arms longer than he used to when he was younger.<\/p>\n
Back then, he\u2019d pull away first\u2014like he was embarrassed to need comfort.<\/p>\n
Now he didn\u2019t move at all.<\/p>\n
For a moment, neither of us spoke. The house felt different, like it was finally ours in a way it hadn\u2019t been for years.<\/p>\n
Then Lucas stepped back and wiped his eyes quickly, almost annoyed at himself.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t tell you earlier because I wasn\u2019t sure you\u2019d believe me,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
I gave a shaky laugh. \u201cI didn\u2019t believe my own kitchen table ten minutes ago. Try me.\u201d<\/p>\n
That earned a small smile.<\/p>\n
He gestured toward the documents still spread out on the table. \u201cWe should secure everything. Auntie won\u2019t stop after this.\u201d<\/p>\n
The calm in his voice unsettled me. Not fear\u2014focus.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou sound like you\u2019ve been preparing for war,\u201d I said.<\/p>\n
Lucas shrugged. \u201cI\u2019ve had eight years of watching her test boundaries.\u201d<\/p>\n
That landed heavier than I expected.<\/p>\n
I sat back down slowly. \u201cSo what now?\u201d<\/p>\n
Lucas looked at me for a long second.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow we stop surviving and start protecting what Mom actually left us.\u201d<\/p>\n
He tapped the trust document.<\/p>\n
Not money.<\/p>\n
Not the house.<\/p>\n
\u201cSafety,\u201d he said. \u201cShe left us safety. We just didn\u2019t know it until tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n
Outside, a car passed slowly down the street. Normal life continuing like nothing had changed.<\/p>\n
But inside, everything had.<\/p>\n
For the first time since the accident, I didn\u2019t feel like I was waiting for the next thing to fall apart.<\/p>\n
I felt like we had finally caught it mid-air.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Lucas stayed in my arms longer than he used to when he was younger. Back then, he\u2019d pull away first\u2014like he was embarrassed to need comfort. Now he didn\u2019t move at all. For a moment, neither of us spoke. The house felt different, like it was finally ours in a way it hadn\u2019t been for…<\/p>\n