“Valentine’s Day.”
“Oh, okay,” Giada said.
“Aren’t they going to a restaurant?”
“Sometimes they do, but sometimes it’s easier to celebrate at home with all the kids, too,” Ronan said.
“I want meat at the restaurant,” Matteo said.
“And that’s where we’re going,” Ronan said, but before they could turn, Brandt was coming toward them at a jog, waving for them to wait.
“Hey!” he called out.
Ronan rolled down the window. “Hey!” he called back.
“Y’all going to eat?”
“I need meat,” Matteo called out from the back seat.
Brandt laughed. “I hear you, little man. Y’all right on time or you got a minute?”
“We’re a little early. What’s up?”
“We’re going to take a big family picture on Havoc’s steps. Come get in it,” Brandt said.
“Y’all want to go take a picture?” Ronan asked.
“Sure, if you’d like to,” Giada said.
“Okay,” both boys said.
“Y’all pull up to Emmalyn’s Suburban. She’s parked it sideways and blocked the whole damn street so the kids can run,” Brandt said.
Ronan laughed, and slowly pulled up until he was right at the Suburban, then turned off the ignition. “Alright, let’s go take a family photo.” He got out, then got Leo out from behind him, as Giada got out and helped Matteo out. Ronan and Giada walked up holding hands as Leo and Matteo ran at breakneck speed toward the other kids playing in front of Havoc’s house as the adults sat around and meandered around the bonfire trying to agree on where they’d take the photo.
“I thought we decided we’d take it on my steps,” Havoc said.
“My house is nicer,” Emmalyn said.
“It ain’t about the house, ya mean old Bear. It’s about having room for everybody to fit and be seen,” Havoc snapped.
“I am not mean, Wolf,” Emmalyn said.
“Yeah, you are,” Havoc said, giving her some side eye.
“There you are,” Hellen said, noticing Ronan and Giada, then getting up from her chair and walking over to hug them. “You guys look great. Where you going?”
“Steakhouse,” Ronan said.
“Guys, don’t get dirty!” Giada called out as they shrieked happily and joined the impromptu game of chase that broke out when they arrived.
“Don’t expect clean kids when you’re ready to leave,” Brandt said.
Giada laughed. “Oh, I know. Mine could get dirty in the bathtub.”
“Hey! Don’t bite anybody!” Hellen yelled when she saw one of her twins grab Ruger when he ran past her.
“Who’s biting?” Lucien asked, standing up and looking toward the kids.
