Song for this chapter: Justin Bieber - Ghost on the multimedia.

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The moment we stepped off the plane and into the bright Los Angeles sun, Ivy stretched her arms wide, taking in the warm air like it was the most refreshing thing she'd ever felt. I could see the excitement bubbling beneath her calm little exterior. Beside me, Tony, as always, was beaming like he was born to be in the spotlight.

Julie's car pulled up at the terminal, and before I could even point it out, she was already out of the driver's seat, arms wide open. "There they are!" she called, her voice full of joy.

Ivy ran straight into her aunt's arms, and Julie scooped her up like she hadn't seen her in years. "Oh my goodness, look how big you've gotten! You look like a little movie star!" Julie gushed, spinning her around in a circle before setting her down. "And look at these two," she said, eyeing me and Tony. "You boys look like you've been living the dream."

I shrugged, smiling. "Something like that."

We loaded our bags into the car, and Julie turned her attention back to Ivy, her eyes twinkling. "So, how's school? Your Uncle Juls being the perfect chauffeur?"

Ivy grinned, her eyes lighting up. "He never misses a day! All the moms at school have a crush on him."

Tony, who was leaning against the car, barely waited a beat before chiming in, "Well, of course they do. But that's because they haven't met me yet." He puffed out his chest dramatically. "I think it's time I start dropping you off at school, Ivy. Let the moms have a real reason to swoon."

Ivy giggled, shaking her head as we all burst into laughter. "No way, Uncle Tony! You'd be a distraction!" she teased.

Julie smacked Tony lightly on the shoulder. "Please, as if the dads wouldn't be terrified if you showed up." She rolled her eyes playfully, then shot me a mischievous grin. "Juls, you're such a heartbreaker, apparently."

I raised my hands in mock defense. "I just drive the car, I swear."

As we piled into the car, Julie glanced at the rearview mirror, watching Tony make faces at Ivy in the backseat. "I've missed this. All of us together. Last time was... what, Christmas at Sapphire Haven? Time flies."

I nodded, feeling the warmth in her words. "Yeah, that was something special. Feels like a lifetime ago."

Tony leaned forward from the backseat, his grin wide. "Remember how we made that dessert tower? Almost killed me assembling that thing."

Julie snorted. "Please, you were loving every second of it. I've never seen anyone so committed to balancing a stack of profiteroles."

The laughter carried us all the way through the drive, lighthearted and full of nostalgia. Ivy, swinging her legs in the backseat, added, "Uncle Tony still brings me pastries every morning. He says it's for my school lunches, but I think it's because he likes to sneak some for himself."

Tony gasped, dramatically clutching his chest. "How dare you accuse me of such treachery! I'm an innocent man, just trying to feed his niece."

Ivy shot him a look. "You ate half of my éclair last time!"

"I was taste-testing!" Tony defended. "Besides, it was a scientific experiment. I was making sure it was good enough for you!"

Julie couldn't stop laughing, and I just shook my head, enjoying the playful chaos.

As we made our way through L.A. traffic, the car was filled with nothing but joy and chatter. The last few months had been hard in ways I couldn't describe, but in this moment, everything felt right. Tony and his jokes, Julie's warm energy, Ivy's laughter—all of it made me realize that despite everything, there was still so much to be happy about.

When we finally pulled up to the house, it was like stepping into a scene from a Hallmark movie. My parents were standing on the porch, waving enthusiastically. They looked just as eager as ever, but there was something different in their expressions. The moment the car doors opened, their eyes were locked on Ivy.

"Juls! Tony! Welcome!" my mom called out, her voice full of warmth.

But then, her gaze shifted immediately to Ivy. "Oh, Ivy, you're here!" She hurried down the steps, arms outstretched. "It's been so long! Look how much you've grown!"

My dad followed suit, equally focused on Ivy. "Ivy, sweetheart, come here! We've missed you!"

Tony, always one for theatrics, leaned in close to me and whispered, "I'm starting to think they're not even excited to see you anymore. It's Ivy they've been waiting for."

I laughed, shaking my head. "Yeah, well, I guess I'm just the chauffeur these days."

As we unloaded the car, my parents were practically fawning over Ivy. My mom crouched down to Ivy's level, her eyes full of affection. "We've got so many things planned for you. Your room is all set up, and we even got some new toys and books!"

Dad chimed in, holding out a small gift bag. "And we've got a little something for you, too. Just a little welcome present."

Ivy's face lit up as she took the bag, her excitement palpable. "Thank you! I can't wait to see what's inside."

Tony, ever the joker, put a hand on his heart and sighed dramatically. "I see how it is. I'm just chopped liver now."

Mom laughed, rolling her eyes. "Oh, Tony, don't be silly. We're thrilled to see you, too. But Ivy's been like a little missing piece in our family. It's wonderful to have her here."

Dad nodded in agreement. "It really is. We've been looking forward to this for a long time."

As we carried our things inside, the house buzzed with energy. My parents made sure Ivy felt at home, showing her around and introducing her to every little detail. The atmosphere was light and filled with joy, making the day feel like a fresh start.

Tony and I exchanged amused glances as we followed behind, the weight of the past few months lifting slightly with each step. The love and excitement in my parents' eyes were undeniable, and it made the reunion even more special.

The house was filled with laughter and chatter as we settled in, and for the first time in a long while, it felt like everything was falling back into place.

Dinner was a lively affair, filled with the aroma of delicious food and the sound of laughter. Ivy was in her element, busy cooking with Sarrah and Julie, her small hands expertly mixing ingredients and her face glowing with concentration and joy. The sight of her so happy was a balm to my weary soul. I couldn't help but watch her from the patio with John and Tony.

John was leaning against the railing, a content smile on his face as he observed the scene. "It's really nice to see her smile like that. You know, I'm sure Sign and Linc are looking down and feeling happy seeing Ivy so content."

Tony nodded in agreement, his gaze following Ivy as she giggled with Sarrah. "Absolutely. They'd be over the moon."

We stood in comfortable silence for a moment, watching the warmth and energy Ivy brought to the kitchen. The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over everything. It felt like a new chapter was beginning.

Then Tony turned to me, his expression serious. "So, Juls, are you really sure about this? About moving back here to L.A. and leaving Sapphire Haven behind in Manhattan? It's a big move."

I took a deep breath, feeling a mix of excitement and resolve. "I'm sure, Tony. I trust you with Sapphire Haven more than anything. And honestly, I'm really excited about opening a branch here in L.A. It feels right. It's where Ivy and I belong. It's my hometown...And Sign's."

Tony gave a supportive nod, and John clapped me on the back. "We're happy for you, Juls. It's good to see you finding your way and being so dedicated to Ivy."

Tony smirked, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "So, when's the wedding? Or is there a special lady in your life we don't know about?"

I chuckled, shaking my head. "No special lady, Tony. No plans for dating or marriage. Right now, what really matters is raising Ivy. That's enough for me."

Tony's grin softened into a genuine smile. "Fair enough, man. You're doing great with her."

John added, "It's clear you're making the right choices. You're doing a wonderful job, and Ivy's lucky to have you."

As we continued to watch Ivy, now laughing and chatting with Sarrah and Julie, I felt a deep sense of peace. The path ahead was clear, and despite the challenges, I knew I was where I was meant to be.

***

As the house settled into quiet, I made my way to Ivy's room to tuck her in. She was already nestled under the covers, her eyes fluttering sleepily as I entered.

"Hey, kiddo," I said softly, sitting on the edge of her bed.

Ivy looked up at me with a drowsy smile. "Hi, Uncle Juls."

I brushed a stray lock of hair from her forehead. "Did you have a good time today?"

She nodded, her eyes growing heavy. "It was the best. I love it here."

"I'm glad to hear that," I said, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "Sleep well, okay? Tomorrow's another day of fun."

"Okay," Ivy murmured, already halfway to dreamland. "Goodnight."

I gave her one last smile and headed out of her room, making sure the door was slightly ajar so that any sliver of light from the hallway would keep the dark at bay.

When I got to my room, Tony was already fast asleep, snoring softly. I could see the rise and fall of his chest, a steady rhythm that was oddly comforting. I tiptoed around the room, trying not to wake him, and settled into bed.

Before I let sleep take over, I grabbed my phone from the nightstand. Scrolling through social media, I came across Nat's latest Instagram post. The photo caught my eye immediately. Nat and Travis were standing in front of the Hollywood Sign, beaming with happiness, and beside them was Aira, Nat's younger sister.

A smile tugged at my lips. It was great to see that Nat had finally found her sister, and they were clearly having a fantastic time together. It was heartwarming to see her family reunited and happy.

I read the caption beneath the photo: "This one's for you, Mum and Dad. I know you're both watching over us up there."

The words struck a chord, reminding me of the loss that had recently shadowed my own life. I could feel the weight of the past few months pressing down, but at the same time, Nat's post was a reminder of hope and family bonds that transcend even the darkest moments.

As I put my phone down, I allowed myself a moment to reflect on the journey ahead. Despite everything, there was light to be found, and I needed to hold on to that. With a deep breath, I turned off the lights and drifted into sleep, feeling a profound sense of relief and contentment. I was really glad to be finally back home.