Bradley freezes mid-laugh as the tray gets placed on the table in front of him.
“Who the hell put fifty on my cake?”
Sebastian grins beside me, already wrapping an arm around my waist again. “Isn’t that how old you are?”
Bradley mouths something across the table.Fuck you.
Laughter breaks out. Harrison hoots. “You’re only upset ‘cause it’s believable!”
Michael shrugs. “It’s the knees, man. They scream fifty.”
My brother just sighs, pretending to be wounded as Amelia hands him the knife. “Let’s just sing and get it over with before you all throw me into retirement.”
We do. Another round of ‘Happy Birthday’, this one louder, rowdier. Cake slices are passed out while drinks clink, and kids dart through the crowd. I glance around as it all presses into me—the fullness, the noise, the love. Zoe leans into Michael with Hazel on her hip, her laughter soft into his shoulder. Isla twirls Callie by both hands while Xavier bounces Gracie on his shoulders.
Imogen makes her way over and squeezes my shoulders from behind. “Great job with everything, Mumma.”
I turn and smile, my chest aching in the best way. It still feels surreal… watching this life we’ve all built. These people I’ve loved forever, now with families of their own. And somehow, still mine. Stephanie appears at my side with Sandra, both beaming with soft pride.
“Incredible afternoon, sweetheart,” Stephanie says, cupping my elbow like she always does.
Sandra winks. “The cakes were great! You’ve outdone yourself.”
As they both peel away, Sandra is already in search of her kids before something explodes or gets eaten. I barely have a second to breathe before Bradley wraps me up in a strong, brotherly hug.
“Happy birthday,” I mumble against his chest.
He squeezes tighter. “I’m damn proud of you.”
I blink up at him. “Even with the 5-0 cake?”
He chuckles. “Especially because of it.” Then, quieter, “Don’t tell him I told you this, but you’ve always been Dad’s favourite.”
My throat tightens. “Bradley…”
“Saw him crying earlier.” He shrugs. “When it comes to you, he’s a damn sap.”
I bump his shoulder. “Takes one to know one.”
Xavier joins us, arms open wide. “Alright, where’smyhug?”
I laugh, hugging him too. Somehow, these big, scary, overprotective men I grew up with—who once swore no guy would ever be good enough for me—have turned into the softest ones in the room. They leave me be just as Sebastian comes up beside me, sliding his palm against mine like he always does. We stand there for a long moment, watching our little world dance and shout and bounce all around us.
“Daddy!” Lillian’s curls bounce as she runs up to us, her pink cupcake slightly squashed in one hand. “Guess what?”
Sebastian bends down to her level, grinning. “What, baby?”
“I made a wish. But I can’t tell you, or it won’t come true,” she says, beaming so wide her cheeks practically puff.
Sebastian feigns a gasp. “Not even a hint?”
“Nope. But it’s abigone.”
“Well,” I say, brushing icing from the corner of her mouth, “if anyone deserves a big wish, it’s you, birthday girl.”
She beams before skipping off again, just as Teddy saunters over. “Can I have another slice of cake, or is that against your party rules?”
“Didn’t you already have two?” I raise a brow.
