Caitlin's POV

The warm, familiar comfort of the living room surrounded us as the four of us sat around the coffee table, snacks scattered and drinks in hand. Jamie was busy setting up the board game, her usual competitive streak shining through as she meticulously placed the game pieces. Renae, her fiancée, sat next to her, lightly teasing Jamie about taking the game too seriously.

Elena, seated next to me on the sofa, leaned in to study the instructions. I couldn't help but smile at how focused she got, even for something as simple as game night. She acted like she wasn't competitive, but I knew better.

Jamie looks up, her dark eyes sparkling with mischief. "Alright, everyone. Get ready to lose because Renae and I don't take it easy."

Renae nudges her with a laugh. "You don't take it easy. I'm just here for fun."

Elena glances between them, an amused smile playing on her lips. "I'm starting to think this might be more intense than I expected."

I chuckle, nudging her gently. "You've got no idea. Jamie plays to win."

My sister throws me a look. "Hey, someone has to keep it competitive. You've gotten soft, Cait."

I roll my eyes. "You're talking a lot for someone who's about to lose."

As the game started, Elena quickly got into it, strategizing alongside me while Jamie and Renae plotted their moves across the table. The banter flowed easily, laughter filling the room with each playful jab and over-the-top victory dance from Jamie whenever she made a good move.

I leaned back a little, my eyes drifting to Elena as she joked with Jamie. It hit me, in that quiet moment, just how much I loved seeing her like this—comfortable, laughing with my family like she'd been part of these nights forever.

"Your turn, Cait," Elena says, her voice soft as she hands me the dice. Her eyes glinting with that little competitive spark I adore.

I smirk. "Watch me turn this game around."

Jamie snorts, folding her arms. "Yeah, right. You and Elena don't stand a chance."

"Don't underestimate us, Jame," I say, narrowing my eyes playfully as I roll the dice.

As the game went on, Elena and I had a few lucky turns, and Jamie's faux-serious competitiveness quickly dissolved into laughter. Renae, who'd been quietly supporting Jamie's strategy, started making jokes about how we were all too invested in a silly board game, but she was right there with us, laughing and teasing as the night wore on.

At one point, Elena leaned over, whispering in my ear. "Your sister's a bit intense, isn't she?"

I grin. "You have no idea. She takes board games seriously."

"She's got nothing on you," Elena teases, her hand brushing mine briefly, sending a warm jolt through me.

After a while, Jamie and Renae manage to pull off a win, much to their delight and our exaggerated
groans.

"Told you!" Jamie says, leaning back and crossing her arms, a satisfied smile on her face. "Cait, you've lost your edge."

Elena nudges me, trying to hold back a laugh. "We'll have to practice more."

Jamie raises an eyebrow. "Oh, she's definitely coming back. You two are invited to the next game night whether you want to be or not."

Renae smiles, resting her chin on Jamie's shoulder. "She's serious. But don't worry, Elena—you fit right in with our competitive chaos."

Elena chuckles, leaning into me a little. "I think I'm starting to get used to it."

I wrapp an arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer. "You did great. Next time, we'll wipe the floor with them."

Elena laughs softly, her eyes meeting mine for a moment that makes my heart skip. "I'll hold you to that."

As the night began to wind down, we migrated from the table to the couch. Renae put on some music, the soft sounds filling the background as we all settled in, more relaxed now. Jamie was still talking about the game, reliving her victory, while Renae just shook her head affectionately.

"You know," Jamie says after a pause, looking between Elena and me, "it's really good having you both here. We should do this more often."

Elena smiles, her head resting on my shoulder now. "I'd like that. It's nice... spending time like this."

"Good," Jamie says, her voice warm. "And Cait, you better bring her back often. You're stuck with us now, Elena."

Elena chuckles, nudging me with her elbow. "I guess I am."

I smile, feeling a deep sense of contentment wash over me. Watching her here, so at ease with Jamie and Renae, fills me with a warmth I can't quite put into words. This feels like home—sharing these moments, these little joys, with the people who mattered most.

As the music played softly in the background and the room grew quieter, I wrapped my arm around Elena a little tighter, noticing her eyelids drop further by the second, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

As Elena drifted off to sleep in my arms, her head nestled into my shoulder, I felt her breathing slow, matching the calm rhythm of the night. I ran my hand gently through her hair, a peaceful quiet settling between us. It was moments like this that made everything else in life fade away—just me and her, right here.

I looked up to see Jamie and Renae sitting across from us, both wearing amused smiles, clearly enjoying the sight of me being all soft and sappy. I shoot them a mock glare. "What?" I whisper, careful not to wake Elena.

Jamie, always the instigator, grins. "You're so whipped, Cait."

Renae chuckles, nudging her fiancée with her elbow. "She's happy, leave her alone."

"I didn't say it was a bad thing," Jamie teases, folding her arms with that signature smirk. "Just, you know, funny seeing you like this. You've got that whole lovesick puppy vibe going on."

I roll my eyes but can't help the smile tugging at my lips. "She's special," I say softly, glancing down at Elena's peaceful face. "I can't help it."

Jamie's smirk softens into something more genuine, her eyes filled with warmth. "Yeah, mate. I can see that. She's good for you."

"Really good for you," Renae adds quietly. "You've never looked this content."

I shift slightly, adjusting Elena in my arms as I think about their words. They aren't wrong. Elena had a way of grounding me, of making everything feel easier, lighter.

Jamie leans forward, her voice quiet but serious. "You know, she fits in here, with us, with the family. It's like she was always meant to be part of it."

I feel a lump form in my throat, Jamie's words hitting harder than I expect. I'd known for a while now that Elena was it for me. There was no question. Every day with her just solidified that feeling more and more. But hearing it from Jamie, the person who knew me better than almost anyone, made it all the more real.

"I know," I whisper, feeling a wave of emotion build up. "She's... everything."

Renae smiles softly, leaning back against the couch. "You deserve this, Cait. You deserve to be happy."

For a moment, the three of us sit in silence, the weight of the conversation settling in. Jamie breaks the quiet with a playful nudge. "Just don't mess it up, yeah?"

I let out a soft laugh, shaking my head. "Thanks for the vote of confidence."

Jamie grins, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Hey, I've got plenty of faith in you. It's just nice to see you this happy. Don't take it for granted."

"I won't," I promise, my gaze falling back on Elena. There was no way I ever could. Not again.