Safe With You

Big Reveals and Bigger Reactions

~ Alyssa ~

It’s barely noon, and AQ is buzzing.

Literally. Between the sound of machines humming in the studio, music drifting faintly from Elle’s office, and Hope gurgling from her portable bassinet, I’m two seconds away from calling for a “five-minute silence policy.”

Greyson’s parked himself behind my desk, laptop open, glasses on, and sleeves rolled up as he goes through the construction plans for the new wing. Every few minutes, he mutters something about “load-bearing walls” or “budget allocations,” which the design interns pretend to understand.

Hope is the real star of the show, of course.

She’s in her little cream knitted onesie and matching hat, sound asleep, her tiny hand curled around the soft edge of her blanket.

Every time someone walks by, they stop to coo over her — and every single time, Greyson looks up like a security guard ready to issue trespassing fines.

“Do you plan to growl at everyone who looks at her?” I ask, leaning on the doorway to my office.

“Yes,” he says flatly. “She’s too cute. It’s suspicious.”

I laugh, crossing the room and kissing his cheek. “You’re ridiculous.”

“She gets it from you,” he mutters, smiling despite himself.

Before I can answer, the studio door swings open and in rushes Kelsi, cheeks pink, eyes glassy — looking equal parts emotional and furious.

“Kelsi?” I blink. “You okay?”

She doesn’t answer at first. Just stares at me. Then at Hope. Then back at me.

“Oh, don’t you start crying,” I warn softly, already feeling my own throat tighten.

“I hate you,” she says, voice breaking. “I hate you so much.”

And then she’s across the room, wrapping me in a hug so tight I nearly drop the folder I’m holding.

I laugh into her shoulder. “I take it you found the button for the heated seats?”

She smacks my arm. “You bought me a Range Rover, Alyssa! A car! Who does that?”

“Apparently me,” I grin, pretending innocence. “Do you like it?”

She pulls back, eyes still watery but smiling wide. “It’s perfect. You’re insane. But it’s perfect.”

Greyson looks up from the desk, smirking. “If it helps, I told her it was too much. She didn’t listen.”

“She never listens,” Kelsi says, shaking her head.

“Hey!” I protest. “That’s not true.”

Greyson raises an eyebrow. “Really? Because I recall a certain someone ignoring doctor’s orders at thirty-five weeks pregnant and finishing a collection launch from the sofa.”

Kelsi laughs. “He’s got you there.”

“Traitors,” I mutter, but I’m smiling.

Hope stirs in her bassinet, letting out a little squeak.

Kelsi immediately drops to her knees beside her, expression softening. “Oh my god, why is she this cute?”

I watch her brush a gentle finger across Hope’s tiny hand. “She missed you,” I say quietly.

Kelsi looks up, eyes warm. “She’s perfect, Lyssa.”

“She is,” I whisper.

~ Greyson ~

I’ve seen Alyssa command entire boardrooms, walk into chaos and turn it into beauty — but nothing compares to watching her like this.

Hair pinned up, sunlight catching her tattoos where her sleeves are rolled, a faint smile on her lips as she watches her daughter and her best friend.

I swear I’ve never loved anyone more.

Elle bursts into the office like a storm, nearly tripping over her own heels. “I heard Kelsi got a car and didn’t invite me to cry about it?”

Kelsi groans. “Oh my God, Elle—”

“Don’t even. I’ve been your emotional support caffeine supplier for years, I deserved a heads-up.”

Alyssa laughs, shaking her head. “If it makes you feel better, she didn’t know until today.”

“Still rude,” Elle mutters, moving straight to Hope’s bassinet. “Hi, my tiny fashion heiress.”

Poppy and Quinn, who came in earlier with Savannah and Lillian, are sitting cross-legged on the floor beside the couch, sketching dresses for their dolls while Markus reviews something on his tablet across the room.

The place feels alive.

Like family.

Like home.

“Alright, confession time,” Kelsi says, standing again, still slightly teary. “When I realised what was happening, I ugly cried in front of a very uncomfortable salesman.”

Elle snorts. “Please tell me there’s CCTV footage.”

“Elle,” Alyssa warns, hiding her grin. “Don’t give her ideas.”

“Too late,” I mutter. “She’s already planning it.”

Kelsi shakes her head, laughing, but the sound catches at the end. “Seriously though, Alyssa, thank you. I’ve never had anyone do something like that for me. You didn’t have to.”

Alyssa’s voice softens. “I wanted to. You’ve been my anchor since day one. You deserve to be spoiled sometimes, too.”

Kelsi blinks back tears again. “You’re going to make me cry again.”

“Good,” Alyssa teases. “I like keeping you emotional. It balances out my dramatics.”

“Balances?” Elle echoes, smirking. “Sweetheart, you are the dramatics.”

Everyone bursts out laughing — even Markus, who usually stays out of the chaos.

~ Alyssa ~

By the time evening rolls around, Hope’s been passed around like the world’s most precious parcel, Greyson’s half-finished his work emails, and Elle’s threatening to start a “Kelsi’s Car Club” group chat.

I settle on the couch, Hope back in my arms, her tiny fingers gripping my necklace as she drifts off.

Greyson sits beside me, arm over my shoulders, his thumb tracing lazy circles against my skin.

“This,” he murmurs, “is my favourite kind of chaos.”

I look around — at Elle teasing Kelsi, at Quinn showing Lillian her latest drawing, at Markus and Savannah laughing over something Winston texted — and I can’t help but agree.

“Yeah,” I whisper, smiling down at Hope. “Mine too.”

Greyson presses a kiss to my temple. “You realise you’ve basically adopted half of them, right?”

“I know,” I say, pretending to sigh. “But I love them anyway.”

As the evening winds down, the last light of day spills through the glass walls of the studio.

Hope stirs in her sleep, and Kelsi snaps one last photo — of all of us together.

The family we built from the ashes.

Laughter, love, and everything we never saw coming.