When Ava and Ethan walked back into the house, everyone was already in the living room. Kira was on the floor with Judith, sorting through old pictures. Jack was leaning on the wall, scrolling through his phone.
Ava cleared her throat.
No one looked up.
She cleared it again, louder.
Kira glanced up. "Why do you look like you're about to announce a pregnancy?"
Ava blinked. "That escalated quickly."
Ethan squeezed her hand. "We have something to say."
Now everyone looked.
Ava lifted her hand.
The ring caught the light.
Judith gasped so hard she almost fell backward. "NO WAY."
Kira froze. Then stood. Then walked closer. Then screamed.
"ARE YOU SERIOUS."
Ava laughed. "Yes."
Kira launched herself at Ava, hugging her so tightly Ava almost lost balance. "YOU'RE ENGAGED. YOU'RE ACTUALLY ENGAGED."
Judith was already crying. "I said I wouldn't cry today."
Jack smiled softly, watching Kira spin Ava around like a mad person.
Miyeong rushed in from the kitchen. "What is all this noise—"
She saw the ring.
Her hands flew to her mouth. "Oh my God."
Yuri followed her. One look at Ava's face and she knew.
She pulled Ava into a hug. Long. Tight. "My baby."
Ethan's voice was soft. "I promise to take care of her."
Yuri smiled at him. "I know."
That night, everything felt lighter.
Like they were finally allowed to be happy.
—
Later, Kira sat outside on the porch steps, knees pulled to her chest. She was smiling, but there was something quiet in her eyes.
Jack came and sat beside her.
"You okay."
She nodded. Then paused. "No. But like… the good kind of not okay."
He chuckled.
She glanced at him. "Ava's getting married."
"I know."
"She deserves it."
Jack looked at her. "So do you."
She turned to him.
He shifted closer. "Kira, I've loved you since we were kids. I just didn't know I'd ever get the chance to say it."
Her breath caught.
"And I don't want to be part of your chaos. I want to be your calm. If you'll let me."
She stared at him.
Then laughed softly. "You're terrible at being calm."
He smiled. "I can learn."
She leaned in first this time.
The kiss was slow. Real. Certain.
When she pulled back, she whispered, "Stay."
He rested his forehead against hers. "Always."
—
The weeks after that were peaceful.
No threats.
No secrets.
No fear.
Just healing.
Jack fully recovered. Kira stopped waking up at night. Ava laughed more. Ethan moved into the house sometimes and pretended he didn't. Judith became unbearable in the best way.
They had movie nights.
Late talks.
Food fights.
Inside jokes.
They were finally just teenagers again.
—
The wedding was small.
Simple.
Perfect.
Ava walked down the aisle with Yuri, tears in her eyes. Ethan couldn't stop smiling.
Kira stood beside Ava as her maid of honor.
Jack stood beside Ethan.
Judith cried louder than anyone.
When Ava said "I do," everyone felt it.
When Ethan said "I do," it felt like the world healed a little.
They kissed.
Everyone cheered.
Kira wiped her eyes. Jack squeezed her hand.
"You're next," Judith whispered loudly.
Kira gasped. "SHUT UP."
—
That night, they all sat by the lake.
Not the scary side.
The peaceful side.
The one that finally felt safe.
Ava leaned into Ethan.
Judith skipped stones.
Kira rested against Jack.
No one spoke for a while.
Then Ava said, "Do you think we'll still be like this when we're old."
Judith snorted. "I'll be cooler than all of you."
Kira smiled. "We'll still fight."
"And forgive," Jack added.
"And laugh," Ava said.
They all looked at each other.
They had lost so much.
But they had each other.
And that was everything.