“You guys are sooo lucky,” Ryder said. “A treehouse!”
Tracey added, “Just make sure it’s not too high.”
The three men all responded at once, answering over each other so that Viv didn’t hear what any of them said.
Viv picked up the plate of deviled eggs and called over her shoulder as she walked for the back patio. “Hey, everyone! Apps are out back!”
The gaggle of people followed her through the back door. The moment she put the deviled eggs on the picnic table, they surrounded her.
“What’s up?” Ryder asked, giving her a side hug.
“Vivi!” Emma squealed, clutching at her legs.
“Dat’s baby.” Mateo pointed at Brynn, who had been transferred to Tracey’s arms.
“Hey, everyone,” Viv said. “Dinner’s almost ready. I just need to—”
“Oh, no you’re not,” Cruz interrupted. “You just had a baby. Sit down, and we’ll take care of the rest.”
Viv hesitated, but then shrugged. It wasn’t like she couldn’t use the break. Brynn was a decent sleeper, but she always woke up at least once a night needing to be fed.
“That’s right,” Ryder chimed in. “This sounds like a job for us men.”
He clapped Cruz and Markus on the shoulders, and the three of them went inside. Mateo and Emma had already scurried over to the sandbox Markus had set up for their visits, so Viv, Tracey, and Veronica took it easy at the picnic table.
“So.” Tracey bounced Brynn. “Are you ready to discuss wedding venues? Not to rush you or anything.”
“It’s fine.” Viv propped her chin in her hand and smiled. “I’ve been looking at them already, actually. It’s been my go-to when I can’t sleep after Brynn gets me up.”
Truth be told, she wasn’t used to not being busy. Even with a newborn to care for, she missed being out of the house. Thankfully, Bea had told her to come back to work a few days a week whenever she was ready, and Tracey was more than eager to watch Brynn during the shifts.
“Dinner is served!”
Ryder emerged from the house, carrying a serving bowl full of steaming shrimp. On his heels, Cruz and Markus carried all of the sides.
The kids came running at the prospect of the chicken tenders Viv always made for them, and everyone found seats at the picnic table.
“Nuh-uh,” Markus said when Ryder tried to sit next to Viv. “That spot’s mine.”
Ryder rolled his eyes. “Okay, man. It wasn’t like I was trying to steal her or anything.”
Markus looped his arm around Viv’s waist. “I would never give anyone the chance.”
“Markus.” Tracey cleared her throat. “Before we get started, would you like to make an announcement?”
Viv looked at him in confusion. “What announcement?”
His gaze slid across the table, taking in everyone before stopping on Viv. “I’ve decided on my next career. I’ll go into intellectual property law.”
Viv’s jaw dropped. “Really?”
He nodded. “Yep.”
“Congratulations.” She shook her head and laughed. “What made you decide on that?”
“I feel that I need to give back, and intellectual rights is something that interests me.” He gave her a cocky grin. “It seems as good as anything else. What do you think? Will you mind me being that sucked into school?”
“That’s great! Of course not.” She balled the bottom of his T-shirt in her hands and gave him a kiss. “When are you applying?”
“I already did. Last minute.” He pecked the edge of her lips. “And I got in. So I suppose, really, that’s the news.”
“What?” she shrieked.
“Woohoo!” Veronica clapped. “Congratulations!”
Everyone started applauding, even the little kids. Brynn, cozied in her grandma’s arms, wrinkled her nose and blinked.
“This deserves celebrating,” Viv decided. “We need champagne.”
“I’ll get it.” Ryder jumped up.
A minute later, he returned with champagne flutes and a bottle from the wine cooler. Viv quietly applauded herself for always keeping a bottle of semi-decent champagne on hand for impromptu occasions such as this.
After popping the bottle, Ryder poured all of the adults a drink, except for Viv. She got sparkling juice in her glass since she was still breastfeeding.
Viv was the first to raise her flute. “To my wonderful soon-to-be husband. You surprise and amaze me every day, and I have a very good feeling that will never stop.”
“My turn.” Markus raised his glass.
“Hey,” she teased. “We’re supposed to be toasting you.”
“To my beautiful, smart, charming, brave, and supportive Viv.” His eyes softened as he looked at her. “You are the greatest partner and mother anyone could ever ask for. Our path started out… rocky.”
“Yeah, it did,” Ryder inserted.
Markus continued to gaze steadily at her. “Some would look at that and see a bad omen, but it gives me faith. After what we’ve been through, I know that we can face anything. Nothing will be as hard as the start was.”
Tears pooled in Viv’s eyes. As she blinked them back, Markus took her hand in his.
“Plus, there’s another good thing about our beginning being so crazy.” He smiled in that lopsided way she loved so much. “Life or death situations really shake you and wake you up. I knew from early on that you were the woman for me. Since then, there’s never been a doubt in my mind.”
“Same here.” She squeezed his hand.
“Cheers.” Markus tapped his champagne glass against hers.
“Cheers,” everyone sang out amid a chorus of glass pinging glass.
“I eat!” Mateo cried.
The table burst into laughter.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Mateo.” Viv wiped away the last tear. “I’m hungry too. Let’s dig in.”
They passed plates, poured drinks, and celebrated not only all the good things in their lives, but the good things that were coming. As the sun set and the fairy lights strung around the backyard came on, Viv’s heart swelled to the size of the moon.
All her life, she had felt there was always somewhere else to be. She’d been constantly running, working on getting to that next better place. Sitting surrounded by family, she realized that she was finally there. The best she’d ever have was happening right now—and it didn’t show any signs of ever stopping.
The End