Before Luke could protest, car doors slammed in the driveway. His head snapped up automatically, hoping—but it was just Rachel and her husband arriving with more decorations. Prettysoon, it would look like a party store exploded in the backyard. Rachel handed him a bag of streamers and thumbtacks.
“Subtle,” Drew muttered, but his grin matched Megan’s. “They’ll be here soon. Noah texted they were picking up ice on their way.”
Luke’s phone buzzed in his pocket.
Just left the store. Eli’s practically vibrating with excitement.
Despite his siblings’ teasing, Luke smiled at the message. He could picture it perfectly—Eli bouncing in his booster seat, probably clutching Livy’s present and talking a mile a minute while Noah nodded along, pretending to follow every tangent.
“Earth to Luke.” Rachel waved a hand in front of his face. “The streamers go on the posts, not in your hair.”
Luke startled, realizing he’d been standing still, crepe paper trailing from his fingers. Heat crept up his neck as his sisters exchanged knowing looks.
“Lucas?” His mother’s voice carried from the patio. “Can you help your father with the tables?”
He tossed the streamer roll to his brother-in-law. Grateful for the escape, Luke joined his dad near the garage. Jim Garrett worked steadily despite his arthritis, arranging folding tables so they were perfectly aligned.
“Let me get that, Dad. You’re going to be feeling it all weekend if you keep it up.” He expected his dad to protest. The fact none came confirmed his warning had come too late, not thathe’d admit it. His parents pushed themselves to make sure their grandkids had the best of everything.
“Your sisters giving you grief?” Jim asked mildly, directing Luke where to set up the next table.
“When aren’t they?” Luke made sure it was aligned with the tables around it and got to work setting up folding chairs. “But I guess I deserve it this time.”
“Because you’re happy?” Jim’s smile was gentle. “Son, that’s all we’ve ever wanted for you. Whether it’s with Noah and Eli or someone else—though I have to say, those two fit pretty well with this crazy family from what I’ve heard. Livy never stops talking about her best friend Eli.”
Luke’s throat felt tight. At every turn, it felt as though there was more pressure to not screw things up with Noah. The collateral damage wouldn’t be pretty if he did. “Dad?—”
But more cars were arriving, filling the street with minivans and SUVs. Luke recognized most of them from T-ball—the Godfreys, the Pattersons, even the Crowleys with their shiny new Range Rover. Soon, the backyard hummed with children’s voices and adult conversation, the comfortable chaos of small-town gatherings.
“Uncle Luke!” Livy’s voice carried across the yard. “Can you help us set up the games? Mom says we can’t start until everyone’s here, but we can practice, right?”
Luke let himself be dragged toward the activity stations they’d planned. He was halfway through explaining the rules of Pin the Cape on Captain America—Eli’s suggestion, naturally—when familiar footsteps approached.
Noah stood under the arch, looking unfairly attractive in casual clothes, Eli practically vibrating beside him. Their eyes met across the yard, and something warm unfurled in Luke’s chest.
“Mr. Luke!” Eli broke free, launching himself forward. Then, seeming to remember his manners, he corrected course. “Happy birthday, Livy!”
Luke caught Noah’s soft laugh, the way his eyes crinkled at the corners as he watched his son navigate social niceties. Around them, the party swirled with activity, but Luke found himself anchored to this moment.
“Lucas?” His mother appeared at his elbow, her smile knowing. “Aren’t you going to introduce us properly?”
“Mom…” He groaned. He debated pointing out she’d known Noah for nearly two decades. When she pursed her lips, he sighed. Fine. They’d do this her way. “You remember Noah. And that’s his son, Eli.”
“It’s great to see you again, Noah.” She pulled him into a warm hug. “Livy has nothing but good things to say about your son.”
“It’s good to see you too.”
And just like that, Luke realized he’d been standing there staring like a lovesick teenager. Heat crept up his neck as he made introductions, watching his mother pull Noah into conversation while Eli joined the growing group of kids.
“They fit,” his father said quietly, appearing beside him. “In case you were wondering.”
Luke watched Noah laugh at something his mother said, how he’d relaxed into the family gathering like he belonged there. Across the yard, Eli was already deep in consultation with Livyabout optimal party game strategy, their heads bent together in concentration.
“Yeah,” Luke admitted, the word barely a whisper. “They really do.”
Luke passed another plate loaded with hot dogs and hamburgers to a waiting child, losing count of how many times he’d directed tiny hands toward napkins or reminded excited kids to walk, not run, with their food. Somewhere between refilling the cooler and making sure Tommy Crowley didn’t monopolize the bounce house, he realized he’d fallen into a natural rhythm with Noah—one taking plates while the other added condiments, seamlessly handling the chaos of feeding twenty sugar-hyped first graders. Megan looked more relaxed than usual, able to enjoy her daughter’s birthday rather than being the one running around to keep everything in order.
“You’re good at this,” Cathy Garrett said, appearing beside him with more paper plates. His mother’s knowing smile made him wonder how long she’d been watching. “Both of you.”
