3 Five Years Later

EVA

It’s a perfect Sunday morning, the kind where the sun is warm but not too hot, and there’s a light breeze stirring the trees. We’re gathered at Greer and Roman’s house for our usual Sunday brunch, and the yard is filled with laughter and squeals as the kids run around, chasing one another. The sound of their joy is like music in the background, making this moment feel even more perfect.

I stand on the back porch, sipping on my iced tea and watching them. Roxy is right in the middle of it all, her dark curls bouncing as she runs around the yard with Monroe. The two little girls are inseparable, and every time I see them together, my heart swells with a mixture of pride and pure happiness. Monroe’s blonde hair is always perfectly styled, thanks to Posey, and Roxy’s curls are wild and free, a bit like her personality. They’re so different, yet so in sync with one another, giggling as they run after Dev Jr., who’s pretending to be some sort of dragon, roaring dramatically as they chase him.

The other boys—Nate, Cash, Grant, Aiden, and Preston—are all involved in some sort of game that involves a lot of shouting and running. Nate’s right in the thick of it, his cheeks flushed with excitement as he darts past with a stick in his hand like it’s a sword. I can’t help but smile, watching him play so fearlessly. He’s really come into his own as an older brother to Roxy, and seeing him happy like this, surrounded by family, makes my heart feel light.

“Looks like they’ve started their own little kingdom out there,” Benedict says, walking up beside me, wrapping an arm around my waist as he gazes out at the yard. I lean into him, savoring the feel of his warmth, the solid reassurance of his presence. He always smells like fresh air and something comforting, like home.

“Roxy’s the queen,” I joke, watching as she and Monroe twirl around, their little hands clasped together in some make-believe dance. “Monroe’s her second in command. Those two are unstoppable.”

“They’re going to be trouble when they get older,” Greer says, joining us with a playful grin, a cup of coffee in hand. “Just like us when we were younger, right?” She smiles at her husband, Roman

“Maybe,” he laughs. “But a little more well-behaved, I hope.”

Greer shakes her head, chuckling. “Oh, they’ll be worse. Mark my words.”

Ledger’s voice calls out from behind us. “Greer’s right. We’re in for it.”

We all turn to see Ledger coming out from the kitchen, holding a plate of something that smells heavenly. “Brunch is ready, everyone.”

“Thank God,” Devereaux mutters, stepping onto the porch with Chloe, who’s balancing little Preston on her hip. “I thought I was going to pass out from hunger.”

Chloe gives him a light smack on the arm, rolling her eyes. “You ate before we came here.”

“That was a snack,” Devereaux counters with a smirk, causing all of us to laugh.

Posey follows behind, carrying trays of food out to the long table set up on the porch. Posey’s glowing, her blonde hair pulled into a loose braid, and Ledger looks as proud as ever, his hand resting on her lower back. Aiden and Monroe must’ve inherited their charm, because those twins are already heart-stealers, even at their young age.

We all gather around the table as the food is laid out—fresh fruit, waffles, bacon, eggs, and Greer’s famous cinnamon rolls that have become a staple at these Sunday brunches. But none of us are in a rush. We know the kids are safe, playing in the yard, happy in their own little world. So we settle in, plates full, glasses clinking as we chat and laugh together.

“This is the life,” Roman says, leaning back in his chair, his plate already half-empty. “Watching the kids play, good food, good company... I couldn’t ask for more.”

“You’re telling me,” Devereaux adds with a satisfied grin, feeding Preston a piece of waffle while Dev Jr. comes over to sneak a bite off his father’s plate. Chloe nudges him, playfully scolding him about his manners, but there’s a softness in her tone that speaks of pure contentment.

“I never thought I’d say this, but I think we all did pretty well,” Ledger says, his arm draped around Posey’s shoulders. “Family, kids... it’s more than I could’ve asked for.”

Posey leans into him, smiling softly. “I never thought I’d be this happy. Watching Aiden and Monroe grow up with all of this... it’s the dream, really.”

I look around the table, and a warm glow spreads through me. This, right here, is everything. There were times when I didn’t know if I’d ever get to have this—this big, messy, beautiful family. But here we are, all of us, living a life filled with love, laughter, and more joy than I ever thought possible.

“Roxy’s going to be the boss of all of them, just watch,” Benedict teases, cutting into his waffle as he nods toward our daughter, who’s now directing Monroe and Cash in some sort of royal decree.

I smile, feeling the truth of his words. “She already is.”

The kids’ laughter rings out across the yard, mixing with the warm breeze and the smell of freshly cooked brunch. It’s a scene that feels almost too perfect, but it’s real. We built this life, together, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.

As brunch goes on, the conversation flows easily, filled with stories of sleepless nights, first steps, and little victories as parents. We share advice, laugh about the chaos of raising kids, and reminisce about how far we’ve come. All of us—Greer, Roman, Devereaux, Chloe, Ledger, Posey, and Benedict—have found something special. Not just in our partners, but in this community we’ve built. This family.

And as I look out at the yard, at all the children playing together in the sunshine, I can’t help but think that this—this is what happiness truly looks like.