The delicious aroma of food wafts from the kitchen, and I feel my mouth water.
Children dart about between the tables, their laughter and joyful shrieks creating a backdrop of cheerful noise. Their energy is contagious, and I can’t help but smile at their antics.
Hunter and Nash are standing near the kitchen, deep in conversation with Mac. As we walk over to them, they all turn to greet us with wide smiles.
“Happy second birthday, Mouse,” Mac greets me, already holding out a plate with a shrimp burger and fries to me.
“Thanks, Mac,” I respond, accepting the generously filled plate. The others take plates from Mac, too, each expressing their gratitude.
We find a table among the lively crowd, settling in comfortably, with North and Saylor in front of me and Hunter and Nash by my sides.
“How was your day, pretty girl?” Nash asks, leaning in to kiss my cheek.
“Good, but I missed you,” I reply, turning to share a quick kiss with him.
“What about me?” Hunter grumbles from my other side, his hand gently squeezing my knee.
“Oh, I missed you too.” I smile, leaning in as he kisses my lips and playfully nips at my bottom one.
“Get a room. There are children here,” Tally teases from behind me.
“Yes, and half of them are yours,” I tease back, standing to hug her. “Thank you for hosting this.” I’m careful not to put too much pressure on her small baby bump.
“Hey, only two of them are mine. Plus, one of them belongs to you guys,” she laughs.
I glance over to where Lio is playing with his grandfather, handling a model car. Over the years, his toys have become more intricate, and I adore assembling them with him and Saylor. Lio’s new dream is to become a mechanic, a fact I enjoy rubbing in North’s face whenever I can.
Tim approaches us, holding two little hands. “Hey, Jesse,” I greet the mirror image of Tally, with his raven-black hair and piercing light blue eyes.
“Hey, Sloany.” He grins back.
His younger brother, a blond three-year-old with tear-filled blue eyes, looks up at me, pouting. “Hey, mini-me.” I smile, lifting him to my side. “What’s up, buddy?” His bottom lip quivers adorably.
“I told him he couldn’t play with Lio’s big boy toy,” Tim explains, and I chuckle softly.
“What if we buy you your own little car soon?” I whisper to my boy conspiratorially, and his eyes light up.
“I told you not to spoil him, Sloan,” Tally chides with a glare.
“Your fault for naming him after me. I will spoil every kid who pops out of you rotten,” I reply with a shrug. “But this time, try for a girl. I want to buy some pink stuff,” I say, nodding at her belly.
“I don’t think Tim’s swimmers can produce anything but boys, but I’ll keep you updated,” she quips, and we laugh.
“And after that one, stay off her, little Timmy,” I joke, pointing at Tim, who grins back mischievously.
“No promises. There are still rooms to fill in our big house,” he retorts.
“Babe,” Tally exclaims, her eyes widening in mock horror, making me laugh.
Tim takes Sloan from my arms and reaches for Jesse’s hand again, leading them away, “Let’s go see if we can color with Nan.”
I watch them leave before embracing Tally again and whisper, “I love you, girl.”
Tally has been more than just a good friend in the past few years. She’s been a constant source of support, always there to listen and lift my spirits. When Saylor was in the hospital, and I would visit him every day, she would call me during my drives, keeping me company and boosting my morale, especially on those difficult drives home when Saylor struggled so much at first.
I told her everything about him and how he was there all the time, but instead of being mad and judging, she understood that I needed someone,needed him, just for myself for a while. Tally was also there when I set up the shop, helping with color choices and bringing us sandwiches and cakes when we were worn out from all the hard work.
She’s my rock in the waves, the one I can hold onto when things get rough, and I will never be able to thank her enough for all she did for me.
