Idon’t think I’d stopped smiling for the past month.Well, it was more than a month now, actually, and I felt like the sparkling lights that exploded into the inky blackness above our heads.All glittery and busting with excitement.
This was the best Fourth of July celebration inyears.Maybe ever.And I wanted to savor every single moment.
I’d forgotten the giddiness that deep loved limned around the world.Or maybe I’d never experienced anything so deep and abiding before.
Another firework shot into the sky, and we all oohed over the sparkling lights as they exploded out of the inky blackness.I sat in a camp chair sandwiched between Aya and Kate, the two of them chatting animatedly about her latest clean water project in the Caribbean.
“You know I’m glad to help with the social media aspect,” Kate said.
I smiled because connecting, helping, supporting each other was the most natural response between these kids.They were so busy, but they made time for each other—and for Steve and me.
Considering their hectic schedules, I felt even luckier than my kids were willing to drop everything to answer the phone when I called…which wasn’t that often.I hated to bother them, but as Cater told me recently, I wasn’t a bother.And I’d shown the kids how to put family first.I wasn’t sure my boy could have offered up a nicer compliment.
Tonight was the perfect example of the family-first creed the kids set down out our wedding.Cam had cleared his schedule this week to be home with his family.Regan, who’d been touring in South America, had created this space in her schedule to return to their home a couple of days before while Aya and Nash, who was recording a new album, made their way back to Austin yesterday.I loved having all my chicks under my wings, and I soaked up every moment of their chaos.
Carter and Cam broke into laughter, and I took a sip of my iced tea, my smile widening as another firework burst and sprinkled its way across the sky.
We did something right by these kids, and they were teaching their kids to put their loved ones first.What more could a matriarch ask for, really?
Nash and Rye stood by the outdoor bar Cam had installed last year, sipping a drink and nibbling on some chips—they were the root vegetable kind and Steve had air-fried them himself.No bagged crap for our loved ones.
No doubt those two were talking music.I turned my head from the beautiful display of the Fourth of July fireworks to take in my blessings.
The kids were in the Big House, asleep—all except for Ike, who had moved over to stand next to his father.He expounded on some topic in adorable fashion.His thick glasses caught the light of the next firework.
“You did good with that boy,” I said to Kate, nodding my head in Ike’s direction.
She chuckled.“I’m pretty sure he’s raising himself.I’m just along for the ride.”
“He’s a good egg,” I said.
Her smile widened.“The best.”
Jenna crossed the lawn from the house where she’d check of Cash, flinching a little at the booms from the light show.She was so much more settled now, but her anxiety still flared more than she’d like—more than I or Cam would, too.
“Levi must have woken up because he and Cash are all snuggled together,” Jenna said as she rejoined our group.
Jenna pulled out her phone, and we rose to crowd around, much more interested in photos of our babies than the intricate designs lighting up the sky.After appropriate oohing and ahhing over the sweetness of the two little boys tucked in together, arms slung around each other, we returned to our seats.Jenna remained standing, fidgeting.
“What’s wrong, Jen?”Kate asked.She rose once more and wrapped a friendly arm around Jenna’s narrow shoulders.
Jenna shuffled her feet before she blurted, “I’m pregnant.”
Her shoulders heaved, and she struggled to contain her panic.She dropped her phone to the ground and paced, quick and jittery, back and forth, back and forth.Any second now, Cam would notice.It was impossible for Cam not to notice Jenna’s distress.When Kate and Aya simply stood by, eyes wide, uncertainty written all over their expressions, I stepped forward and embraced her.
“I got you, Jenna.I got you,” I said.“There now.Take that breath.”
She did, struggling to suck in enough air.Her chin trembled and tears formed in her eyes.“I haven’t told Cam yet.I just took the test.Up at the house.I don’t know…I don’t know how he’s going to react.”
I had a pretty good idea—with fear for his wife.But we’d cross that bridge in a few minutes.
“How doyoufeel about the pregnancy?”I asked, my tone gentle.I rubbed small circles on her shoulder with my free hand.
Jenna gripped my fingers so tightly, the tips turned white.“I’m excited, but I’m scared.I’mso scaredand…and I’m afraid to hope.”
Gently, I extricated my fingers and tucked the pretty wisps of hair behind her ears.“That’s all understandable.It’s murky right now, that’s what you mean.”
“Y-yeah.”She exhaled.“I want this baby.”Her expression morphed into one of fierce love, determination, and hope.“I love this peanut already.”
