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Ali points over to where their twin boys are running round with plastic swords, chasing Jack and Ria’s younger girls out on our lawn.

We moved to the lake when Mia was six months old. Gabriella was missing the girls, and we agreed city life was no longer for us now that we had a young family.

“Have you met your boys?” Ali snaps.

“They are just spirited.” Harry shrugs.

There’s a crash, and one of the girls begins crying. Jack wastes no time in marching over and Harry face palms himself.

“Yeah, you best go see which one of the Lawson girls your spirited boys impaled with a plastic sword?” Ali says, pointing over to where Jack is now holding a crying child.

Ali turns back to face us. “Yeah, maybe I take back what I said.”

“No way. A man with a baby is sexy as hell. I’m ready for him to impregnate me again.” Gabriella winks in my direction and the sound of metal clattering against fine china startles us all.

“Gabriella, please, you have guests,” her mother chides, clutching her pearl necklace.

“Sorry, Mom,” Gabriella says, rolling her eyes. It took some months, but Gabriella repaired her broken relationship with her parents, and they have become doting grandparents.

Her mother places her plate on the table and holds out her arms. “Now Bradley, hand me that baby. Her papa wants to tell her all about his recent golf score.”

I hand Mia to her grandmother. “Perfect, she was due a nap,” I tease, and Catherine looks at me deadpan as Gabriella flicks me with the back of her hand.

“Play nice,” Gabriella whisper shouts, and I give my best toothy smile as Catherine wanders off with Mia in tow. My relationship with Gabriella’s father is a little strained, but I keep the peace for her and Mia’s sake. I’ll never understand a man who prioritized his reputation and career over his daughter’s wellbeing, and now I have a daughter of my own, that realization is even more unfathomable to me. But Gabriella wants him, them, in her life and I’ll support whatever she wants.

Our guests chatter amongst themselves and I smile as I watch my nephew play a game of cards with Lexi. My mom and sister sit out on the deck sharing a bottle of wine and a warm feeling spreads through my chest when I watch Gabriella’s mom sit down beside my mom and holds out an empty glass for her to fill.

Three years ago, I never thought we’d be here. In a place where we would not only have both our families but also our friends all under one roof.

Gabriella begins clearing dishes, and I step up behind her, placing my hands on her hips, grazing my teeth over the shell of her ear. Her body shudders in that way I know she’s longing for me just as much as I am her.

“Follow me,” I whisper.

She gives the room a quick scan, seeing that our guests are occupied, then takes my open hand. I drag her through our open plan kitchen, scoop her up and throw her over my shoulder, taking the back staircase that leads up to our bedroom. I close the door, then toss her onto the bed. She bounces, the light pink dress she’s wearing rides up and I tear off my shirt before I’m over her, peppering kisses down her neck.

“What are you doing?” Her words are a breathless whisper.

“Making a baby,” I say between kisses.

“Oh, my god.” She giggles. “You can’t be serious right now.”

“Oh, I’m serious. No time like the present.” I moan against her silk skin, sinking my teeth in, just enough to leave my mark, pulling a moan from her.

“Ssssh, Mia cara, you don’t want your mom hearing.” She clamps a hand over her mouth as I take a moment to look into her eyes. “One whole year,” I say proudly.

“The best year,” she says, and I nod in agreement.

I was half a man before Gabriella spun into my world, showing me there was more to life than routine and control. She was a force too strong even for me to fight and I am thankful it was the one battle I lost. She’s given me a second chance at a life I didn’t think I deserved, a home that’s full of love, a beautiful daughter who’s the best parts of both of us, and with all that, she’s given me a life full of color.

Epilogue

Gabriella

Two years later

The breeze from the lake whips in my hair as I raise my arms and stretch, inhaling deeply as I look out at the view from our porch. It’s my favorite spot to do my morning Pilates, something that has really helped me in the post-partum phase and transitioning from one to two kids.

Two in two years was demanding on me both physically and mentally, but Brad was there for me, every step as we muddled our way through. Mia is almost three and Scott, who we named in Scotty’s memory, is almost two. I know how special he was to not just Brad, but all the guys, and so having his name live on in some way meant a lot to all of us.