“Our house is perfect because all the kids can play outside while we eat. And Coco’s waited five long years for this day, and I’ll be damned if this baby gives me any trouble today.” Coco had signed the papers to officially adopt Valentino today. She had wanted to do this for a long time, and Tino, who was now ten years old, had made the request to her and Roman. She was already his mama in every possible way and had been for many years, but making it official on paper meant something to all of them. And with their other addition to the family, little Amelie, who was only eighteen months old, they felt like it was the right time.
So everyone was coming over to celebrate. The girls and I had been busy over the years. Addy, Gigi, and I all got married just a few months apart, so the five of us had all tied the knot in a short period of time. Just like when we were young, we seemed to continue doing everything together.
We all got married, we’d all been pregnant at one time or another with one another, and we were raising our kids together just like we always dreamed. Coco still lived in Houston with her family, but they’d bought a place here in town and they spent a lot of time out here with the kids on the weekends. Maura and Crew were still in Dallas, and their growing family kept them very busy. They had three little girls, Grace, who was just a little older than my boys, Lily, who was two years old, and baby Mila, who was only six months old. They spent a lot of time here in Willow Springs as both of their families lived here, but the ad agency was in Dallas, and they had no plans to move back here full time just yet.
“Jett and I are going to teach Hudson and Dylan a few football tricks today,” Ty said as he popped his thumb in his mouth and sucked off the extra icing.
“They’re three years old. They are way too young for football!”
“Baby. He’s already got Jace throwing a stuffed football and the little dude is only a year old,” he said, raising a brow at me.
Addy and Jett’s little girl Quinn was two and a half years old and Jace had just had his first birthday a few weeks ago. Our kids played together often because they lived just up the street, and Gigi and Gray had moved back a year ago and bought a house not even a mile away from us.
“Well, you know River can throw a ball. He broke their kitchen window last week,” I said over my laughter at Gigi’s little boy. He was a rough-and-tumble kid just like his daddy, and his little sister Paisley looked just like her mama, with her blonde hair and dark blue eyes. She was eighteen months now, and I loved that all of our kids were so close.
“He’s such a badass. I’ve got to get the boys tossing that ball around too.” He leaned against the counter and watched me place the little toothpicks with the letter “T” on them in each cupcake. This day was special to all of us because Tino had been the first child in our group. Coco may not have carried him in her belly, but he was all hers, and we all loved that little boy something fierce.
“I love that the boys are so into music. I caught Hudson strumming on your guitar again yesterday. And Dylan, well, he was eating a crayon, but I’m guessing that means he’ll be artistic.”
Ty barked out a laugh. “And little Jaxon?”
“Maybe he’ll be quiet and calm,” I teased as Dylan came flying around the corner with a bucket on his head and slammed into the kitchen wall.
“I don’t think we make calm babies, Ive.”
“We make perfect babies.” I moved across the room and pulled the bucket off of my little boy and kissed his forehead.
“Ow, Mama. That hurt.”
“Well, why’d you put a bucket on your head, silly?” I pushed back up to stand and rubbed my lower back. I swear this little boy was ready to come out any day.
“Hudson told me to,” he insisted.
“I did not.” Hudson came around the corner laughing, and Sebastian chased after him.
“Those look yummy,” Sebastian said.
“Have one, sweetie. Just don’t let the little monsters see you eat it.” I ruffled his hair as the doorbell rang.
Roman walked in first, carrying little Amelie in his arms. She wore skinny jeans and little black booties just like her mama. She had two little princess buns on her head and dark eyes like her daddy. I opened my arms and she squealed and reached for me.
“Where’s my girl?” I asked as I scooped her up. Ty was there immediately to take her from my arms because he was as overprotective as ever lately.
“The doctor said no lifting, baby,” he said as he sat her on his hip and he and Roman started talking about some sporting event.
When Coco stepped through the door, she smiled at me. Most people wouldn’t notice that her eyes were puffy, but I knew her. She’d been crying. She liked to act stoic as all get-out, but the girl was all heart. This day meant the world to her, and she had her arm around Tino.
“Congratulations,” I said, wrapping my arms around him. I swear the boy was already as tall as me.
“Thanks, Aunt Ivy. Where’s Sebastian?”
“He’s in the kitchen sneaking cupcakes.” I winked and he ran off.
“Hey,” Coco said, and a tear ran down her cheek.
I pulled her in for a hug. “I’m so happy for you.”
“I can’t believe he’s officially mine. After all these years.”
I hugged her tight and she pulled away when the door flew open and swiped her tears away so no one would know how the emotions of the day were taking over.
But we all knew.
My girls and I… our bond was thicker than blood. It was a connection that most wouldn’t understand. We’d been through so much together, and now our kids were growing up with one another too.
“Hey, hey, hey,” Gray said as he bounced his little girl in his arms. Seeing him with little Paisley always made me laugh. This big tough guy was all mush for his little girl, just like he was for Gigi. “Congrats, Co. Where are the guys?”
We each kissed little Paisley on the cheek before we directed him to the kitchen as Gigi and River walked through the door.
“Mama, I’m going to go find Hudson and Dylan,” he shouted, and I stepped in front of him before he could run off.
“No, sir. Not without a hug.”
“Well, it’s hard to hug you, Aunt Ivy. You’ve got that big thing in your tummy.”
Coco, Gigi, and I burst out in laughter.
I kissed his cheek and Coco did the same before he took off down the hall, running to find the other kids.
“How do you feel?” Gigi asked.
“I feel really good.”
She turned to hug Coco and congratulated her, and I was fairly sure they both shed a few tears as they held the hug a little longer than usual.