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“Okay,” he shouts back. Subtle, Archie, subtle.
“We are all having dinner together,” Eva informs the boys.
“A barbecue?” Hamish’s eyes light up.
Eva nods.
“Yes!” Hamish and Archie punch the air.
“I need a poo first.” Hamish toes his boots off and runs out of the kitchen.
Eva pinches her nose. “Remember to wash your hands.” She lets out an exasperated sigh. “I need another vacation. Knox…” She spins around on the balls of her feet. “No more babies.”
“Whatever you say, Sunshine.” He winks at her.
I think my dad has other plans.
Violet appears by my side and we both hop onto the white leather chairs around the kitchen island. I drag her seat closer to me, making the metal legs squeals along the marble floor as I do.
She shivers. “That noise is like nails running down a chalkboard.”
I lean in and kiss her cheek. “You’re not shivering because you’re still cold then?”
“Nope. I put three layers on today. How Eva can wear a short-sleeved dress on a day like today is beyond me.” She lays her hand on my thigh.
“It’s supposed to be the hottest day of the year today.” Hunter chuckles.
“What?” Violet exclaims. “That’s insane. I might join Zac and Caz when they go into hibernation for the winter.”
“Or we can hibernate together in front of our coal fire all winter.” I wiggle my eyebrows.
“Sounds like heaven,” she says dreamily.
Movement around the kitchen island makes me turn my head.
All the adults are now standing around the kitchen island, and we all have a glass of champagne bubbling and fizzing away.
“What are we celebrating?” I sweep my gaze over my family and friends.
My dad says, “Family.” He picks up his glass. “We are celebrating having each other. For always having each other’s backs. For taking care of one another come rain or shine. Today we are celebrating the fact that family is not defined by the blood that runs through our veins. Family is made up of the people standing here today around this kitchen island. Family are the people who stand by you, lift you up, and support you through whatever life throws at you. And that includes the time your American girlfriend flew over five thousand miles to be with you and moved herself into your house without you knowing. Family are there for you for times like that.”
Everyone chuckles.
My dad raises his glass higher. “To family.”
I struggle to swallow the bubbly liquid as emotion catches my throat.
The people I needed most in the world and who accept me as I am were in front of me all along.
I cough, trying to hold it together.
Violet lays her soft hand on my forearm. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine.” I throw my head back and eye the ceiling to stop any tears from forming. I can feel everyone looking at me.
I haven’t cried since I was a little boy, but I’ve been so emotional lately, breaking down a few times in less than a month.
“Can I make a toast?” Violet asks.
