Page 128 of Unscripted with Mila

“I’m sure Halton and Fee are thrilled to have all their kids together. Bethy was over yesterday, visiting Jordan and me.” We called Halton’s youngest Bethy, so as not to confuse her with Ronan’s wife, Beth.

Reid grinned, relaxing back in his chair. “Entertaining you with her archaeology dig stories? She has the best ones.”

“They’re certain the team is onto a huge discovery,” I replied. “Who knew home-loving little Bethy would be such an adventure seeker?”

“She always loved digging in the dirt.”

I laughed. “Darius seems nice and he can hold his own with this crew, so that is saying a lot. Another surprise wedding,” I added, looking over at the couple. Darius was a fellow archaeologist, and they had met on her last trip to Egypt. Now, they were inseparable. He was charming and funny, and it was easy to see how much he adored Bethy. Halton saw it as well and was pleased his daughter had found someone so loving.

“We seem to have a lot of those. But when you know, you know. Did she show you the pictures of them getting married by the ruins? Those were spectacular.”

“They were. Halton and Fee are planning a visit. Now that Elise has taken over the practice full time, they have lots of free time.”

“Did you see the article on her and the firm in the paper? Top ten family lawyers in the city. Her husband, Jeff, too. The firm is doing well.”

“Halton and Fee are very proud. And Craig and Joseph’s furniture company is booming. They’ve had to hire more people.”

“Joseph says his partner Duncan has an exciting new line he is designing. I can hardly wait to see it. Becca loves his stuff.” Reid crossed his ankles. “Halton has some talented kids.”

I hummed in agreement.

“Craig’s wife, Alannah, told me they’re getting a couple more foster kids,” Reid continued, sounding pleased. “They already have three, and they figure one or two more will fit in just fine.” He shook his head. “Those kids are damn lucky to have them.”

I knew he was thinking of his own painful childhood. I reached over and squeezed his hand, but he shook his head. “I wouldn’t change it, Sandy. I have this.” He swept his arm out. “I wouldn’t trade this family for the world.” He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to my cheek. “Especially you.” He smiled. “But I’m grateful for families like theirs who take in kids and show them what a family is really like.”

We shared a smile, my heart full of love for this man. The boy I first met was still there—the one desperate to belong somewhere and afraid to hope for it. Except now, he’d found his place and tried to make sure others did too. He volunteered both his time and money to make sure to help the most vulnerable of kids. I was incredibly proud of him.

Aiden and Maddox came over. “All right. You stole enough time.”

Reid laughed good-naturedly. I smiled at them, shaking my head. “You all see me every day. Every. Day.”

Reid leaned down and brushed another kiss to my cheek. “Today’s a special day. And it’s never enough, Sandy. Never enough.”

He strolled back to his wife, Becca, who was watching him with a soft smile. She knew how close we were.

Aiden and Maddox sat beside Jordan and me, sliding a tray with coffee and several pieces of cake on it between us.

“All that cake?”

“Well, you know, I couldn’t decide.” Aiden winked. “Jordan loves them all.”

Jordan scoffed, but I saw the delight in his eyes.

“I’m glad we catered this, but it wouldn’t be the same without our Beth’s cakes,” I murmured.

“I know,” Aiden hummed in agreement. “They are the best.”

Sammy stood, heading for the table, her husband, Luke, following.

“I can never get used to Luke without his cowboy hat,” Maddox mused.

Aiden chuckled. “I know.”

I smiled, watching Van with their kids. They adored him and Liv and enjoyed coming to visit. Sammy and Luke had adopted siblings, Allison and Jacob, but they were loved as much as all the grandkids were. They were simply family. It made no difference to this diverse group. We all loved it when they came for a visit, especially Van and Liv.

Heather and Reed sat on the floor, Heather between Reed’s long legs. Their son, Tyler, was eating cake and entertaining his younger cousin, Rosie, Mila and Nicholas’s daughter. Mila was nestled against Nick, curled up in the corner of the sofa, happy and content.

“I hear Nick is up for another Oscar for the last film he produced and directed,” Jordan said, then took a sip of his coffee. “Of course, he was too modest to tell us himself. It was brilliant. The story and how he handled bringing it to the screen.”