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The things I’d bought were all outdoor friendly, which was something I’d made sure of for extra usage. Upon seeing them for the first time, Payton had started to campaign for more outdoor movie nights in the summer.

Apparently they’d done blankets on the lawn and projected a movie on the side of the house at some point when I wasn’t here.

“These are so cool!” Payton said, using a long beanbag like a horse, which only caught Aria’s attention, and she immediately wanted to join him.

Nick was organizing the drinks table with Judson carrying stuff for him, and Luke was manning the actual popcorn machine like they had in movie theaters while chatting to Mike.

I didn’t need to ask what we’d be watching. The movie had been Home Alone for a very long time. Payton and Shiloh were old enough to watch it, and the little ones were already drooping so they might not make it too far.

I went to use the bathroom and then made my way to grab Dr. Pepper for myself. Since there were glasses and ice, I filled a tall glass with ice, then poured the can in and added a straw. I didn’t like Dr. Pepper without ice. Something about the sweetness was too much for me without, so I rarely indulged, because it was just easier to pop open a can of Coke.

I turned to look at the family getting ready, enjoying what I saw. There was such a feeling of just… love and coziness in the space.

Gemma wandered over to get her drink while Nick went back into the kitchen, Judson tagging along. She snorted at the back of her brother, then came to hug me from the side.

“Hey, future husband,” she teased, but it was gentle, because we both knew something about the joke had triggered Bodhi.

“Hey, wifey.” I kissed the top of her head. “What can I get you?”

“I think there’s root beer, right?” She peered around me, and I got her a can and a bendy straw.

“Here you go. Anything else?”

“I’m gonna go get popcorn. Thank you!”

I took a sip of my pop and as I turned, my gaze caught Keegan standing to the side, smiling at his phone. He tapped the screen for a moment and then put his phone into his pocket before grabbing one of the triplets from Demi who was carrying two. The third was… somewhere.

Judson walked out of the kitchen in the back, and soon after Nick came out after him, looking a little confused as he came to put a box of small potato chip bags on the table. I didn’t ask what was troubling him, because he seemed a little distracted and his gaze flitted to Judson. Besides, it was really none of my business; I just hoped they were getting along.

My next stop was popcorn, and I waited behind Fern and Ora, who were seriously cute together. They were holding hands, and I was so happy for Fern to have found her person. I couldn’t help but to seek out Russ and Samuel, who were sitting at a table on the sidelines, looking like indulgent grandpas observing a family event.

They’d turned their chairs around, their shoulders not quite touching, but their shoes—Russ’ boots and Samuel’s loafers—were definitely pressed together.

“Your order’s been taken care of.”

It took me a second to realize the women had moved on to find a seat and Luke was talking to me.

“What?”

He nodded toward one of the bigger beanbags and Bodhi who had made a camp there with a large tub of popcorn. He was talking to Shiloh who was curled up on the next chair, likely waiting for Payton. Crew and Mal were on the next chair over, cuddling with their own drinks and popcorn.

I swallowed hard. Okay, then. I gave Luke a little smile and went to the seating area with an odd sort of… not dread exactly, but something bubbling up inside me. As I got to Bodhi, Shiloh flashed me a smile and then did a little shimmy as if to try and sink deeper into the chair.

Bodhi looked at me, and I couldn’t recognize the expression on his face.

“Come, sit. I got us popcorn,” he said simply, so I gave my drink to him so I could safely sit down, then took it back once I was comfortable.

“Thanks.”

“I still think you’re freaking weird!” Hawk exclaimed from somewhere to the side.

There was an old couch that acted as the back row, and then blankets and the beanbags. Lots of pillows everywhere. It was cozy and lovely, and my chest tightened at being able to attend the event.

“Boys,” Mike’s voice sounded over the room.

Even Bodhi next to me tensed momentarily, even if Mike had been telling off Hawk and Judson. Because I knew what the conversation was about. It happened every year.

“For what it’s worth,” I said out loud, turning my head to see the two of them glaring at each other while Carter looked fond and slightly exasperated on Hawk’s other side. “I think Polar Express is only half as uncanny valley-ish and nowhere near as scary and unsettling as most people think.”