“Lila, I think I love you,” I whispered.
Her eyes filled with tears. “I think I love you too.”
We kissed again, longer this time, until voices drifted down from the bonfire.
“We should really get back,” Lila said reluctantly. “It’s late. We should get the kids home.”
“The sooner I get you home, the better.”
We walked back hand in hand, and, when we reached the fire, several heads turned. Esme and Grady were with the kids now, sitting side by side on a log.
Mia grinned. “And where have you two been?”
I felt Lila grow warm next to me. “Just walking,” she said.
Robbie turned to look at us. “I counted at least two kissing sessions. You were doing more than walking.”
The kids laughed. Even Margot smiled, her eyes bright in the firelight.
“Okay, Sherlock,” Lila said, blushing. “Time for you to work on your marshmallow technique.”
We settled onto a log, Lila tucked against my side. Seraphina and Delphine joined us, then Alex and Gillian. Tyler started playing again—something soft and melodic. The stars were out now, thick and bright above the ocean.
This was it. This was what I’d been missing all those years in Paris. Not just love, but belonging. Community. Family.
Margot looked over at us, her smile soft. Then she turned back to Mia and Bella, whispering something that made them giggle.
I closed my eyes, letting the moment sink in—the crackle of the fire, the sound of the ocean, children’s laughter, Lila’s warmth against me.
Perfect.
About an hour later, the fire had burned down to embers, and the younger kids were getting sleepy. Madison was curled up against Robbie, eyes drooping. Margot yawned, leaning into Mia’s shoulder.
“Time to head back up,” Seraphina said, standing. “I think we’ve got some tired children.”
The group gathered blankets and thermoses, heading up the beach path toward the house. I lifted Margot into my arms. She was too tired to protest, just resting her head on my shoulder.
“I had fun, Papa,” she murmured.
“I’m so glad, mon cœur.”
The adults walked together, kids trailing ahead. Mama linked arms with Gillian, the two of them chatting about the upcoming school year. Alex and Grady carried the coolers. Lila walked beside me, her hand on Margot’s back.
Then I saw her. Kenzie stood on the patio, phone in hand, filming. Not the party. Not the decorations. She was filming us. All of us. Walking up from the beach. The kids running ahead. Margot in my arms. Lila at my side. Our private family moment.
I stopped abruptly. “What are you doing?”
Kenzie lowered her phone, that bright smile fixed in place. “Just getting some behind-the-scenes content. The network loves this kind of thing. You know, real family moments.”
“This isn’t content,” I said, my voice hard. “This is a private party.”
“But you’re part of the show now. And the fans want to see?—“
“I never consented to being filmed here,” I said. “And neither did any of these children.”
Seraphina stepped forward. “Kenzie, I’m going to ask you once to delete that footage and leave my property.”
“I’m just doing my job.” Kenzie widened her eyes as if completely innocent. “There’s no need to go ape on me.”
