“I thought the kids broke the frame from jumping on the bed,” Bart says, confused.
“I don’t thinkjumpingis the word I’d use.” Noah winks at Hess.
“This is inappropriate talk for Sunday dinner, especially in front of the K-I-D-S,” Anita lowers her voice as she spells out the word.
“Mom,” Ashley laughs, “they know how to spell.”
“Yeah, Grandma,” a few of them chime in.
I set my cornbread down and let the noise settle then smile sweetly. “You really want to know the reason I stayed married to Hess? It was Bart’s steaks.”
“Finally, some appreciation.” Hess’s dad puffs up with pride like a turkey.
“Bart’sover-seasonedsteaks,” Anita mutters.
“Over-seasoned! Did you hear the girl? My use of garlic salt single-handedly saved Hess’s future.”
“So, are you two planning to have another wedding ceremony?” Ashley asks as she takes her seat. “Maybe a reception this time? Something we can all actually come to?”
I glance at Hess next to me, and without even thinking, we both shake our heads. “No, one ceremony was good enough for us. We don’t need to do it again.”
“Shame,” his mom says, piling green beans onto Hess’s plate like he’s still a boy. “I don’t even have a wedding picture of you two.”
“Oh, we have a few pictures,” Hess says with a grin. “My best man, Sam, took them.”
Anita looks like she might cry. “One of your brothers should’ve been your best man.”
“No wedding sounds good to me,” his dad adds. “I don’t like wearing a suit.”
“You only have a blue one, and blue makes you look washed out,” she says.
Bart sits up taller. “I thought you couldn’t wash suits.”
“Not wash,” Anita fires back like she’s annoyed. “Washed out.Like pale.”
He shrugs his shoulders as if he doesn’t care and takes another bite of potatoes.
I soak it all in—the noise, the teasing, the warmth.
This isn’t the kind of family I was born into. But sitting here, passing dishes and jokes around the table, I realize it’s the kind of family I always wanted.
The kind of family I want to have.
Hess squeezes my hand under the table, his thumb brushing lightly across my knuckles, and I don’t even try to hide the smile that spreads across my face.
Because in the middle of all this beautiful chaos, I know I don’t just belong here.
I’ve found another safe place to call home.
We’reall crowded around Juliet’s kitchen table, voices blending together as we sing the birthday song to Emma. The candles glow bright against the chocolate frosting, her face lit up in warm flickers.
Juliet leans in, clapping enthusiastically. “Make a wish!”
Emma’s gaze flicks—just for a heartbeat—toward Vinny. She closes her eyes, sucks in a breath, and blows them all out in one smooth go. Everyone cheers, and Juliet immediately starts cutting slices of cake while Vinny opens the carton of ice cream, spooning scoops like he works at Ben and Jerry’s.
The front door bangs open. Blair breezes in like a chaotic mess. “I’m so sorry I’m late! Work was insane. Did I miss the candles?” She wraps Emma in a quick hug. “Happy birthday!”
She pulls back, and Emma gasps. “Blair, what happened to your lip?”
