Unforgiven

The water was warm, enveloping me like a hug as I leaned back against Kayce's chest. His arms rested around my shoulders, and every so often, he'd trace lazy circles on my skin with his thumb, a quiet affection that sent tiny sparks of comfort through me. The faint scent of lavender and eucalyptus from the bubble bath hung in the air, and the only sounds were the occasional splash of water and our steady breaths.

For once, the world felt far away—no Beck brothers, no ranch drama, no lingering fears. Just us, tucked away in the massive bathroom with its clawfoot tub that seemed almost too luxurious to be real.

I tilted my head to the side, looking up at him. His eyes were closed, and a small, contented smile played on his lips. "I think I could stay here forever," I murmured, my voice echoing slightly in the tiled room.Kayce chuckled, his chest vibrating against my back. "In the tub?"

"Mmhmm," I hummed, sinking further into the water. "The bathroom, at least. I'll admit, it's probably my favorite room in the house."

"Oh yeah?" he asked, opening his eyes and glancing down at me. "Not the bedroom?"I hesitated, then let out a small laugh. "The bedroom's too big.""Too big?" He arched a brow, amused. "Most people would kill for a room like that.""It's not that I don't appreciate it," I said quickly, turning slightly to look at him. "But there's something about it...it feels empty. Like it's waiting for more."

"More what?" Kayce asked, though I could tell from his grin that he already had an idea of where I was going.

"More people," I admitted, laughing softly. "This whole house is so big, Kayce. It echoes. I feel like we're just two little people rattling around in a giant box. I think I want more kids just to fill the empty spaces."

His smile widened, and he rested his chin on top of my head. "More kids, huh?"

"Not right now," I clarified quickly, even as the thought made my heart flutter. "I mean, let's get through this one first. But later, maybe...yeah. I think so.""Later," he repeated, his voice soft. "I like the sound of that."I turned back around, leaning into him again. "Do you ever think about that? What it'd be like with more kids running around here?"

"All the time," he said easily, without hesitation. "Tate's growing up so fast. I'd like to see him as a big brother. And this place—it's a family house. It was built for it."

I smiled, imagining it. The sound of little feet thundering down the halls, the walls filled with laughter, the kitchen constantly alive with the chaos of family. "It'd be nice," I said softly.

"It'll happen," Kayce said, his voice steady and sure. "When the time's right."

We fell into a comfortable silence after that, the warmth of the water lulling us into a shared sense of peace. Every so often, one of us would shift, causing the bubbles to ripple and splash."Jess," Kayce said after a while, his voice quiet. "I know this house feels big now, but...you fill it up just fine. Even if it was just you, it'd never feel empty."

I turned my head to look at him again, my heart swelling at his words. "You're just saying that because I'm the one keeping the bath warm."

"Maybe," he teased, grinning. Then he leaned down and kissed the top of my head, his lips lingering for a moment. "But it's the truth."I smiled, leaning back into him and letting my eyes close. For all the chaos that surrounded us lately, this moment was perfect. Just the two of us, tangled together in the quiet, filling the empty spaces with love.

The peaceful quiet of the bubble bath was shattered by a firm knock at the bathroom door. Kayce groaned, his head tipping back against the edge of the tub as he closed his eyes in exasperation. I couldn't help but laugh softly at his reaction, though I was just as annoyed to have our moment interrupted.