Page 57 of Summer Nights

"You do that all on your own," I said as he slapped my arm.

Ivy gasped softly at my words.

Shep winked at her. "You'll get used to it. We give each other shit."

"Language," Mom chided.

Shep hugged Ivy, whispering something to her that made her laugh. I wanted to know what he said, but then Brady and Hazel were in front of me, offering their congratulations.

Everyone was genuinely happy for me.

"Where's Dalton?" I asked.

"Oakley wanted him to put the nursery together," Mom said, and I could tell by the looks of disgust on everyone's face, it wasn't news to them.

"At her house?" I asked.

"Yes," Mom said tersely. "You know Dalton, he wants to take care of her. Doesn't want her overexerting herself."

I looked over at Ivy. "I'd do the same for Ivy."

Mom's face softened. "There's nothing wrong with what he's doing. I just don't like her attitude. She knew it was family dinner night, but she refused to come over."

"She loves to mess with him," Shep said, and no one disagreed with him.

"Now, who's ready for dinner?" Mom said.

We all jumped into action grabbing the plates, side dishes, and the main dish, taco casserole.

We always ate on the deck. There was a large table with enough seats for all of us. When the babies got bigger, she'd need a bigger one, or maybe even a kiddie table. It was hard to believe that everything was changing. We were getting older and settling down, some of us getting engaged, and more of us having kids.

"I sure hope Marshall and Hayden can get leave soon to see us. So many things are happening around here. They’re missing out," Mom said.

"Maybe he can come when Dalton's baby is born," I said, knowing his baby was due a few months before ours. I hoped that our babies would grow up together, knowing the love of my large family and the devotion of Ivy's siblings.

We ate, talked, and laughed. No one asked questions about our plans, which I was grateful for. They must have sensed it was a sensitive situation.

When we were finished, I leaned back in the chair, enjoying just being with my family. Ivy had been quiet throughout the meal, but she'd eaten two servings. I could tell Mom was happy that she'd enjoyed her food. She loved to cook for us.

"Why don't a few of you start a bonfire? It's the perfect evening for one," Mom said as she got up, and we all jumped to our feet, gathering dishes.

Brady intercepted me. "Help me with the fire."

"Sure," I said handing the dishes to Dad. We headed outside, grabbing wood, then followed the narrow path to the beach.

Brady set the logs on the fire pit. It was a quiet night. A few families and couples were walking on the beach, but no one had set up camp on our private strip. "So you and Ivy?"

"We're co-parenting."

Brady squatted with the fire starter in his hand, attempting to get the fire burning. "How did you get together?"

"We've always been attracted to each other. But it was supposed to be casual."

"It wasn't planned." It wasn't a question.

"No. And she was a little taken aback by it."

He raised a brow. "But she's okay with it now?"

---