I slipped my hand in hers and took a deep breath.Here goes nothing.
* * *
“Sorry we’re late,”Liv said as she and Jax entered the dining room where the rest of us sat at a large oak table. Chloe was wide-eyed and resting atop Liv’s hip while Jonathan zoomed in with two toy cars in his hands. “We went ahead and fed the kids first because they’re still working on getting comfortable with more foods. Then, the little one here had a messy diaper right before we walked out the door. She’s been a grump today.” She kissed the top of her head. “The cutest grump.”
“We’ve missed y’all.” Ella rose from her seat to hug Liv and Jax and to ruffle Chloe’s hair.
“We’ve missed you guys too,” Jax said, hoisting a large pink diaper bag off his shoulder and placing it on the floor.
“I hate that Antoni couldn’t make it,” Liv said, “but he texted and said he sends his love. He’s meeting Nate’s family this weekend.”
“You guys look great.” Katie beamed.
“Parenthood suits you,” I agreed, and I meant it. It filled me with pride to finally see Jax have his happy ending. Jax didn’t have much in the way of a family before the band, and I knew how much it meant for him to find Liv and start a family of his own. Ella returned to her seat next to me, and I couldn’t help but wonder if we’d get our own happy ending.
“Look at that baby,” Brandi cooed from beside Luca. “My ovaries are exploding. Lucas, I want one of those.”
Luca pretended he didn’t hear her.
Liv was startled as she noticed Brandi for the first time. “Oh, um, hi. I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Liv, and this is my husband Jax.”
“I’m Brandi.” She waved.
“With an i,” the rest of us said, joining her.
Brandi giggled. “That’s right.”
“She’s Luca’s… guest,” I explained.
Jax shot Luca an annoyed glare. “I see Luca hasn’t changed a bit. Still does whatever he wants.”
“And whoever,” Luca fired back. If Brandi heard him, she didn’t let on.
“How you doing, Mama Cupcake?” Dallas asked Liv as he stood, leaning in to kiss her cheek. Chloe eyed him curiously.
Liv sucked in a deep breath. “Good. We’re finally getting into a routine, I think. This is Chloe, and that little ball of energy is Jonathan.”
“Hi!” Jonathan yelled, continuing to run around.
“I’m going to go heat up your food,” Dallas said, disappearing into the kitchen.
Derek ambled over to Liv and gave her a one-armed embrace. He hid behind Liv’s shoulder, playing peek-a-boo with Chloe. Within a couple of moments, she was giggling and waving.
“Wow, I didn’t know Uncle Derek was a baby whisperer,” Liv said. “She hasn’t smiled all day.”
“Why don’t you let me hold her while you two eat?” Derek asked, reaching out his hands to Chloe. “Want to come hang out with Uncle Derek?”
Chloe smiled shyly at him before looking up at Liv for her approval. “You can go sit with him if you want.” Finally, she leaned into his hands, allowing him to extract her from Liv’s grasp.
I chuckled. “You might need Uncle Derek to babysit so you guys can have a date night.”
Dallas returned with two plates of lasagna. “Nobody is babysitting without Uncle Dallas.”
“And Auntie Katie,” Katie chimed in.
“I’ll hang out with them when they’re teenagers,” Luca said from beside me. “Teach them how to sneak out without getting caught.”
I elbowed him. “Luca.” As everyone settled back in their seats, I let my eyes wander to take in each of the faces around me. My gaze settled on Ella, and I thought about how blessed I was. For this second chance to have a family, for Ella, for everyone gathered at that table. Even Luca. Maybe not Brandi, though I was sure she was a nice girl.
