Finn's POV

Lily stirs again, her face pressed against my chest, and I feel the subtle change in her breathing as she starts to wake up. Slowly, her fingers flex against my skin, and I hold my breath for a second, wondering if she'll drift back to sleep or finally pull herself from the haze.

She lets out a soft sigh, her body shifting slightly as she nuzzles into me. I can't help the smile that pulls at my lips as I watch her, that quiet moment before she fully wakes up and realizes she's in my arms.

Her eyelids flutter, and she tilts her head up, blinking as she comes back to the present. Her sleepy eyes meet mine, and a soft smile tugs at the corners of her lips.

"Hey," she whispers, her voice rough from sleep.

"Hey, butterfly," I murmur, running my fingers through her hair, brushing a few strands away from her face. "You sleep okay?"

She hums in response, shifting to get more comfortable against me.

"I slept... better than I have in a while," she says, her fingers tracing light patterns on my chest, her touch grounding me.

I feel the weight of what she's saying without her having to spell it out. After everything—especially after the accident—sleep hasn't exactly come easily for either of us. I know the nightmares have haunted her, just like they've haunted me. But hearing that she slept well, here in my arms, is more than I could've asked for.

She shifts slightly, lifting her head to press a soft kiss to my jaw. It lingers, just long enough to send a familiar warmth rushing through me, stirring something deep in my chest.

"I missed this," she murmurs, her lips grazing my skin, her voice barely more than a whisper. "I missed waking up next to you."

My throat tightens, and I swallow hard, trying to keep my emotions in check. "Yeah," I say, my voice rougher than I meant it to be. "Me too. More than you realize."

She smiles softly, her eyes heavy with sleep but still full of that warmth I've missed for so long. "But right now," she says, stifling a yawn, "I'm going back to sleep. It's been a long time since I've slept this well."

I can't help but chuckle as she buries herself back into my chest, her body melting into mine like it's the most natural thing in the world.

"Go ahead, butterfly," I whisper, my hand stroking her hair. "I've got you."

She hums softly in response, already drifting off, her breathing evening out as sleep takes her again. 

I glance down at her, peaceful now, her lashes resting against her cheeks as sleep pulls her deeper. I press a kiss to the top of her head, letting the warmth of her body settle into me, and close my eyes.

But I can't sleep. There's something weighing on me, something I've been thinking about for a while now. I look down at Lily, and it hits me, clear as ever—I want this forever. Not just nights spent tangled up together, but everything. I want her beside me, every day, for the rest of my life.

********

"Finn!" Rosetta's voice echoes through the foyer as she pulls me into a tight hug. The warmth of it is familiar, but it feels different now—like something fragile holding us together. "What are you doing here? How's Lily?" she asks, pulling away just enough to study my face.

Before I can answer, Joanne approaches, her expression soft but cautious. "Yes, how is Lily?" she adds, her voice laced with concern. "We heard about the accident and the baby... I'm so sorry, Finn. Truly."

I swallow the tight knot in my throat. The mention of the baby still feels like a punch to the gut, a wound too fresh to talk about without breaking. But I keep my voice steady, giving them a small nod.

"Honestly, it's fine," I lie, the words feeling foreign in my mouth. Nothing about this feels fine, but now isn't the time. "I just need to see Dad. Is he in his study?"

Rosetta gives me a sympathetic smile, patting my arm. "Yes, he is. Go on in, he'll be happy to see you."

I offer a tight smile in return, brushing past them and heading toward the study, the weight of their words hanging heavy over me. Every step echoes in the quiet of the house, and I can feel the tension building inside me. I wasn't expecting this to be easy, but being here, talking to them, makes everything feel even more real.

I stop outside the study door and knock lightly, already hearing the deep, familiar voice from within. "Enter."

I push the door open and step inside, the smell of leather and polished wood hitting me like a wave of nostalgia. The morning light filters through the blinds, casting long shadows over the shelves lined with books, and Dad sits behind the massive oak desk that I used to stare at as a kid, thinking he had all the answers.

"Finn, what are you doing here?" he asks, a hint of surprise in his tone as he looks up from whatever paperwork he's buried in.

I stand there for a second, taking in the sight of him, and realize I don't know how to start this conversation. "Can we talk?" I finally say, my voice quieter than I intended.

Dad gestures toward the chair across from him. "Of course. Sit."

I lower myself into the chair, my eyes briefly scanning the familiar room before landing back on him. He watches me, careful, like he's already trying to figure out what I'm about to say. And I know why—because showing up here, asking for a conversation, isn't something I do often. Especially not like this.

"So," he starts, leaning back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest. "What's going on? You look like you've got something on your mind."

I take a deep breath, the weight of what I'm about to say pressing down on me. "It's about Lily. And the accident."

He nods, his face softening slightly.

"Rosetta told me what happened. I'm so sorry about the baby, Finn." His voice is gentle, more than I expected, and for a moment, I feel the tightness in my chest ease just a little.

"Yeah," I say, my voice strained. "It's been... hard. But we're getting through it. Lily's tough."

Dad studies me for a moment, like he's weighing his words carefully. "And how are you doing? Really?"

I hesitate. The truth is it still hurts. The accident, the baby, the fear of losing Lily. But I can't focus on that now. Not here. I came here for a reason, and it's not to fall apart.

"I want to ask Lily to marry me," I say, the words coming out firmer than I expected. It's been circling in my mind for a while now but saying it out loud—to him—it makes everything feel more real.

My dad doesn't react immediately. His expression stays neutral, though I catch a flicker of something in his eyes—surprise, maybe. Or understanding.

"Do you?" he asks, leaning back in his chair, his fingers steepled under his chin.

"I do," I say, my voice steady. "I've never been more sure of anything. She's it for me, Dad. Lily's my future."

He's silent for a moment, studying me like he's weighing his words. I half-expect him to question if I'm rushing into this, if I'm thinking clearly after everything that's happened. But instead, he nods slowly, as if he understands.

"When you know, you know," he says finally, his voice calm but sincere. "Your mother and I... we had that, once."

I blink, caught off guard by the mention of my mom.

"She gave me this ring," he continues, reaching into the top drawer of his desk. When his hand emerges, he's holding a small, velvet box.

I watch him set the box on the desk between us, my mind racing with questions. The family ring—something passed down from generation to generation. It's always carried a weight to it, but now, with the idea of giving it to Lily... it feels even more important.

"Why didn't you give it to Joanne when you got married last year?" I ask, the question slipping out before I can stop it.

Dad pauses for a moment, his expression thoughtful.

"I didn't give it to her because... it didn't feel right," he admits, his voice steady. "Joanne is a wonderful woman, but this ring—it has history. It belonged to your mother, and even though we're on more civil terms now, that part of my life is over. This ring was always meant for you, Finn. For when you met your forever person."

The weight of his words hangs heavy in the air, and I glance down at the box again. He's right. Joanne may be his wife now, but this ring isn't hers. It's not about the past anymore—it's about my future.

"I saved it for you," he continues, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I knew there'd come a day when you'd need it. And now, here we are."

I swallow hard, feeling the weight of the moment settle deep in my chest. The years of tension with my mom, the bitterness of her leaving us... it doesn't just fade away, but somehow, holding this ring in my hands makes it all seem distant. This ring is a symbol of what's to come, not what was lost.

"I'll make sure she knows what it means," I say, my voice thick with emotion as I lift the box, opening it to reveal the simple, elegant ring inside. The sight of it in my hand makes everything feel even more real, like the future I want with Lily is finally within reach.

Dad stands, walking around the desk to clasp a hand on my shoulder.

"I'm proud of you, Finn," he says, his voice gruff and betraying a hint . "You've been through hell, and you came out stronger. I know you'll take care of her."

I nod, my mind already racing ahead to the moment when I'll ask Lily, when I'll slip this ring on her finger and tell her she's mine, forever.

The accident showed me a glimpse of life without her, and it was terrifying. I can't let that be my reality. Whatever it takes, I'm going to make sure she knows how much she means to me.