“Stay right there,” he told her, pointing a finger when she started to hop down. “Daddy's handling dinner cleanup and snack duty tonight.”
She watched him move around the kitchen with that quiet confidence she loved. It only took a few minutes to put the dishes in the washer, and before she knew it, the popcorn had popped up hot. He dumped the popcorn into the bowl, added a little melted butter and a generous sprinkle of salt, then carried everything to the living room.
“Do you mind if I go change, Daddy?”
“Okay, Darkling. You go and change while I set up the movie, but make it quick so the popcorn doesn’t get cold.”
While she was gone, Jaxon remembered to grab some lemonade. He’d just been selected when Tazzy returned, barefoot and wearing nothing but one of his old t-shirts that fell to mid-thigh.
They settled on the big couch with the lights low. Jaxon pulled her into his lap again, her back to his chest, the popcorn bowl balanced on her thighs. He started the movie and wrapped both arms around her middle, one hand resting possessively over her stomach while the other occasionally reached into the bowl with her.
Tazzy giggled at the opening scenes, leaning her head back against his shoulder. Every time Beetlejuice appeared on screen, Jaxon’s quiet chuckle vibrated through her. Between bites of popcorn, he pressed soft kisses to the side of her neck and whispered little observations that made her smile wider.
“You're my favorite little troublemaker,” he murmured during one of the quieter moments, his lips brushing her ear. “Even when you're trying to brat your way out of vegetables.”
She turned her head just enough to kiss his jaw. “And you're my favorite growly Daddy. Even when you turn my bottom red.”
They stayed tangled together like that for the whole movie, sharing the bowl until only a few kernels remained. Jaxon’s steady heartbeat against her back and the warmth of his body wrapped around hers made the whole evening feel perfect.
They stayed like that for a long moment, wrapped in each other. Then Tazzy’s phone buzzed on the counter. A group video call from the Musketiaras.
She glanced at Jaxon. “Can I answer? They've been blowing up my phone all day.”
He nodded. “Go ahead, Darkling. But stay right here on my lap.”
She accepted the call. Seven faces filled the screen, all of them wearing bright green skincare masks. Georgia, Winnie, Breezy, Suzi, Lovie, Lele, Gabi, and Rory waved at her with sticky green fingers.
“Hi, Tazzy!” they chorused.
She laughed and waved back, suddenly shy. “Hi, everyone.”
Georgia leaned closer to the camera. “Okay, spill. You’ve been glowing all day at work for days now, and now you're sitting on someone’s lap. Is that who I think it is?”
Tazzy felt her cheeks heat. She hadn’t had a chance to tell them about the change in her relationship with Jaxon yet. Jaxon’s arm tightened around her waist. She took a breath and said the words out loud for the first time.
“I'm back with my Daddy for real.”
The screen exploded with squeals and cheers. Winnie clapped her hands. “Finally! We've been rooting for you two since the coffee shop reunion!”
Breezy grinned. “Tell us everything. Is he being all growly and protective? Because that man looked ready to fight the world when he saw you talking to Brick.”
Lovie tilted her head. “And does he still call you Sprite? Or did you make him switch to something… um, cooler, like Darkling?”
Tazzy laughed, relaxing into Jaxon’s chest. “He calls me both. Sprite when I'm sweet. Darkling when I'm feeling sassy. And yes, he's very growly and protective. But I love it.”
Gabi wiggled her eyebrows. “Does he give good spankings? Because I need details. For research purposes, of course.”
Rory snorted. “Gabi! Let the girl breathe.”
The teasing continued for several minutes, but it stayed warm and loving. Suzi finally held up her hand. “Okay, serious moment. We're so happy for you, Tazzy. You deserve this. You deserve him. And he deserves you. And we're all here for the late-night texts when you need to vent or brag or anything in between.”
Lele nodded, her mask cracking a little at the smile. “We love you. And we love that your Daddy's back where he belongs.”
Tazzy’s eyes stung with happy tears. “I love you all too. Thank you for being my sisters.”
The call ended with more waves and promises to plan a girls’ night soon. Tazzy set the phone down and turned in Jaxon’s lap, burying her face in his neck again.
“They're happy for us,” she whispered.