"Little Savannah Hurst lives here!" Zara exclaims, giggling slightly as we walk out of the french doors and towards the glistening blue pool.

"I can't believe it myself." I reply, grinning back at my friends, an apple juice in my hand, Prosecco in theirs.

"Where's Brett?" Elena asks as we reach the loungers, Becky immediately flopping down onto one, the rest of us following in quick succession.

"He went to work."

"You really are living the dream!" Becky grins, "Brett Winters providing for you whilst you sit at home, tanning yourself!"

"I don't plan on keeping it this way!" I exclaim, "I've got to get a job, I'm so bored."

"You have time." Zara points out, "Other things to think about at the moment anyway!" Zara smiles, "How many weeks are you now?"

"Nearly twenty two."

"You have popped!" Becky giggles, "Can definitely tell you're pregnant now!"

"You think?" I grin and she shrugs.

"Probably." She replies, "Depends what you wear."

I roll my eyes, "Great." What she means is, I still just look like I'm fat in some clothes. Excellent.

"How's living with Brett anyway?" Zara asks.

"It's good! So far!"

"I bet he waits on you hand and foot!" Elena giggles, slouching back.

"So he should! He knocked her up!" Becky scoffs and I can't help the giggle that erupts from my mouth, the others also descending into laughter.

"He does ninety percent of the cooking." I confirm, smiling at the thought. In all honesty it's been absolute bliss living here so far, him only going back to work yesterday, it having been two weeks since the fire.

"And how's Ellis?" Elena asks, all of us turning our attention to the relaxed Becky, large hat atop her head. It reminds me of when we were back in high school and used to spend our Summers around her pool, drinking and giggling as teenage girls do. I miss those days.

And I miss alcohol.

"We spend half of our time in bed." Becky shrugs, "So I'd say it's working pretty well."

"Of course!" Zara laughs as Becky smirks before taking a large drink out of her glass.

"How's Missy?" I ask and Zara's eyes widen at the mention of her girlfriend, unable to stop the cheesy grin from taking over her face.

"She's great." She replies, "Got a promotion the other day!" "The pay increase is going to help a lot! Never encourage your children to do art, it's so hard to get a job!" She scoffs and I shake my head.

"But you're doing what you enjoy!" I argue, "That's the point!"

"I guess." Zara shrugs as she lifts her own glass to her lips.

"I may have a new man!" Elena announces.

"Spill!" I exclaim as Becky sits up.

"I met him at Walmart." Elena expands and I raise an eyebrow.

"What?"

"Hear me out!" She giggles, "We both reached for the last pack of M&M's."

"Match made in heaven then!" Becky grins as I smile.

"And then what happened?" Zara asks.

"He let me have the packet, but took my number so that we could go out on a date and I could repay him somehow."

"Repay him with sex?" Becky exclaims and I watch as Elena's eyes widen.

"Some people want more than just sex Becky!" Zara retorts.

"Not men!" Becky pouts, "Or me."

"Well, we've been out on three dates and no sex yet!"

"Is he gay?" Becky blurts out and I immediately slap my hand over my mouth to stop the laughter from escaping. Oh Becs, how I love you!

"Becky!" Zara squeals.

"Oh no!" Elena laughs, "He's made that very clear in other ways."

"What's his name?" I ask.

"Jacob."

"That's an alright name." Becky nods slightly.

"I'm glad it gets the Becky seal of approval." Elena giggles as I place my glass down on the floor.

"Who's up for a swim?" I ask, grinning at them.

"I did my hair today!" Becky moans.

"Shut up!" I retort, standing up, "I told you to bring a swimsuit so you knew it was a possibility."

"What if I don't want to?"

"Tough! It's my house." I reply, grabbing onto her hand and pulling her up, "Get in!" I order and she barely has time to whip her hat off before I shove her into the pool as she squeals, Zara and Elena laughing alongside me.

"You're going to regret that bitch!" Becky yells as she surfaces and I giggle, jumping in beside her.

*~*~*

The next day I walk down the small pathway in the suburban park, Elle linking her arm through mine as Alex and Danny walk in front of us.

"So, where is Brett?" Elle asks, a curious look on her face.

"He was working this morning." I explain, "He said he's on his way."

"Cool." Elle smiles, "I can't believe that house Ann." She shakes her head in disbelief. You and me both Els!

"Me neither." I scoff, "I'm lucky to have him." I grin and Elle raises an eyebrow at me, "Not just because of the house!" I quickly add as she giggles, nodding slightly. Elle had thoroughly enjoyed the house tour, her mouth wide open in disbelief at the five bedrooms and the huge back yard complete with pool.

It wasn't Winters big, but to us Hurst girls, it was massive - a true masterpiece.

"And you're sure that you're not just doing this because you had no other choice?" Elle queries, her protective older sister mode kicking in for the fourth time today.

"I mean, I'll be honest with you. I didn't want to rush into this because of everything that has happened in the past between Brett and I." I admit, "But I'm really happy Els. Happier than I've been in a long time."

"Then I'm happy for you." She exclaims, lightly squeezing my arm.

"I'm glad!" I reply before nudging her shoulder, "Any news on baby number two for you yet?"

"No!" She squeals slightly, "You know I said we were waiting."

"I was just hoping you'd changed your mind." I pout and she laughs.

"Sorry Anna!"

"Hey!" A call from behind us causes us both to stop, turning around to see a suited Brett running towards us, slightly out of breath, "Sorry I'm late." He apologizes, glancing between the two of us.

"Hey!" I reply before he quickly lays a chaste kiss on my lips.

"Brett." Elle greets.

"Elle." Brett replies, "How are you?"

"Not too bad thank you." She smiles, "Your house is beautiful."

"Only because of the additions your sister has made." Brett retorts and I furrow my eyebrows. It is? What have I done to the place? I have great plans for the future, but so far I've been pretty lazy with actually attempting to get anything done.

"You've made additions?" Elle asks, looking back towards me.

"I bought a new couch and replaced the carpet on the stairs." I mutter and she raises an eyebrow, looking back towards Brett.

"Oh?"

"I was talking about Savannah." Brett laughs, "She makes the home worth living in."

"Oh, stop!" I squeal slightly, slapping him on his chest. If my sister wasn't here I'd grab hold of his blue tie and drag him into a steamy make out session that wouldn't end until he'd pressed me against the tree and worshiped my body. Wait, what? Damn hormones!

"That's cute!" Elle smirks, "Keep it up and I might forgive you for the past."

"Will do Ma'am." Brett salutes her.

"Call me that again and it's an immediate no from me." Elle retorts and Brett smirks.

"Noted."

"Alex!" I exclaim as my brother in law walks back towards us, son on his hip, "Do you remember Brett?"

"Of course." Alex greets, reaching his spare hand out to shake Brett's, "Plus, Sav never shuts up about you!"

"Alex!" I squeal slightly as Brett smirks.

"Good to know." Brett replies, "How are you man?"

"I'm good." Alex nods, "Your business doing well?"

"Very well."

"Daddy!" Danny exclaims, lightly bashing Alex on his chest for attention.

"Brett, this is Danny!" I gesture between the two of them.

"Ah, Danny!" Brett grins, "I've heard a lot about you." He adds, "I'm Brett."

"You live with Aunt Annie." Danny notes and Brett nods.

"I do."

"Why?" Danny asks, cocking his head in curiosity.

"Uh, because she likes me." Brett replies, looking slightly flustered.

"I don't know if I like you." Danny replies bluntly and I can't help the slight smile that makes its way onto my face. You can always rely on kids to be brutally honest.

"That's fair enough little man." Brett shrugs, "You don't know me!" He agrees, "How about we go and I get you an ice cream from over there?" He points at the truck across the park as Alex places Danny down on the floor, "You can ask me all the questions you want to find out whether I'm an okay guy to be living with your Aunt Annie?"

"Yeah!" Danny exclaims, clapping his hands together.

"Oh, shit, sorry!" Brett grimaces, turning to face Elle with worried eyes, "Is that okay?"

"Language Brett!" I scold.

"Shit, I..." Brett quickly stuffs his hand over his mouth, shutting his eyes in panic.

"That's fine." Elle agrees, giggling slightly.

"I'll come with you!" Alex grins.

We spend the next hour at the park, Danny warming to Brett almost instantly. It's kind of easy in this family, you want to get on their good side? Buy them food.

As soon as Brett handed Danny the triple chocolate ice cream Danny's hand was linked in his, both of them wandering around the park and pointing out various plants to each other, Alex and Brett both laughing with each other every now and again.

I would be a liar if I said that I wasn't worried about this, my family coming face to face with Brett again, having a proper conversation with him. Elle had spoken to him in her kitchen only one month ago, but now this was different, I'm living with him! Who knew how they were going to react to Brett being thrown back into their lives after so long, Elle having helped me recover twice from a broken heart inflicted by the Winters boy.

Brett must have also been filled with apprehension as he rushed to meet us, him never admitting it, but I noticed how his eyes clouded over at the mention of my sister visiting, reaching up to run a hand through his hair, a tell tale sign of his nerves or frustration.

There was no need for it though, both Elle and Alex clearly making the effort, Elle telling me privately that she can see how happy Brett makes me, how in sync we are as a couple. It means a lot to hear that from her, knowing that if it was the other way around I would struggle to accept a playboy back into the home, a man that had broken my sister's heart more than once.

But Elle knows everything that happened between us, she figured out that I'd forgiven Brett way before I even knew it myself. Going home after we broke up at college was the hardest thing I've ever done, knowing that I had to admit to Elle he'd done it again. She was angry, understandably so, yet she knew after five months that I'd forgiven him, she knew that he regretted it from the way I explained everything.

Elle didn't hold a grudge against him, I did.

The only thing missing is my parents. What I wouldn't give to have them back for one more day, just to see their grandchildren, the men that their daughters chose. If they were still alive, they'd be proud. I know they would.

I giggle as I watch Danny run away as Brett stalks towards him, lifting him up above his head as Danny squeals with excitement. Subconsciously I let my hand run over my bump, a smile on my face as I see Elle lightly peck Alex on the lips.

My little family is complete.

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Isn't this lovely? So happy and blissful! I'm jealous of Savannah...

Thoughts? Will it last?

Just a quick extra note... The Test of Time will soon be coming to an end (I'm crazy sad about this!) I have began publishing my new book 'Tethered North'! It'll be amazing if you have time to check it out - hopefully I haven't scared you away with this book!

In addition... BECKY'S STORY 'Perseverance' is also now up on my profile, and on Inkitt, for all of you interested in finding out more about that crazy girl!

Even if you don't follow me further, I'm dead grateful to have had you along for this journey. 💙

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