“What’s a meteo shower, Mommy?”
“A meteor shower, and it’s lots of falling stars, pumpkin,” I smile. Mia’s eyes grow wide.“Can we see them, Mommy? Please?”
“Oh wow, I’d love that! I could get some great shots!” Penny beams.
“We can all go out on the porch for dessert and hot chocolate,” Josh adds.“Mia would love that.”
“We can even turn the outside fireplace on for s’mores,” Lily says.
“I love that you do all these things together as a family,” I tell her.
Lily’s smile grows.“Thank you, Summer.”
“Have you ever been snow scootering, Summer?” Dex asks.
“Uh, no.”
“We go every year on New Year’s Day. Ethan always comes in last. This year, you’ll see me win,” Dex smirks.
Ethan throws a napkin at him.“I may lose the Hawthorne Snow Dash, but I beat you at pool every single time.”
“You play pool, Summer?”
“I do,” I say, downplaying it. I’m actually really good.
“You only beat me because you cheat you bas…” Dex glances at Mia, then smirks.“-tion!” He throws a piece of bread at Ethan, who catches it like a baseball and grins.
“Dex, knock it off, or the swearing jar comes back,” Lily warns, smacking him lightly with a folded napkin.
“Pffft, swearing jar?” Dex groans.“You mean the jar of doom?”
“Exactly,” Grace says, nodding sagely. Cas and Ethan snicker, Josh laughs, and Lily sighs fondly.
“Mommy, what is a‘bas-tion’?” Mia asks innocently.
I groan, covering my face.“It’s a bad word, pumpkin,” I explain.
“Are you going to take away Dex’s toys now?” she asks.
“Don’t worry. My toys are all hidden at home. No one’s taking them.” Dex grins.
Cas, Ethan, Jude, and Grace groan dramatically as Lily wields her wooden spoon at Dex’s arm.
“Aww, sorry, Mama.” Dex pouts theatrically.
“I think I’ll put the swearing jar back,” Josh laughs, and the siblings all groan again.
Mia giggles, and for a moment, I let myself relax completely in the warmth of this crazy, loving family.
.
Ethan
After dinner the whole family is on the porch to watch the meteor shower.
Mia is sitting between me and Summer on the porch, three heavy blankets covering us while Cas and Penny are out on the field, Penny went to get her entire gear to get some shots. Dex went to the bar and Grace is sitting on the chairs by the lake with Caleb who came over to watch with her. Mom and dad are sitting on the steps in front of us. “Mommy did you see!” Mia is enthralled by the sight. Summer too. I study the way her gaze drifts up to the sky. It’s like she’s searching for something she’s lost a long time ago.
“What about some hot chocolate now to warm up?” Josh stands up and helps Lily stand up too.
