Sunny and seventy degrees with no humidity, the weather was perfect for a barbecue, and Drake was stoked for everyone in the family to meet Natalie at his parents’ house. He’d only been away from her for a day, but it had felt like a lifetime. She’d been quiet ever since he’d picked her up, an unusual thing for her. Or at least he thought it was unusual. He couldn’t be sure, considering they’d known each other for less than a week.
With the depth of his feelings for her, how could that even be possible?
He glanced across his pickup. She wore denim shorts and a soft pink top that should clash with the reddish hints in her hair but looked great. Not that he spent a lot of time looking at her clothing when her legs were the big attraction.
She turned and caught him watching. A soft smile formed on her face.
“You okay?” he asked. “You’ve been pretty quiet.”
“I was thinking about the Gentry children.” She frowned and recounted what happened at work the prior day.
“Not knowing has got to be hard.”
“I understand why Melinda did it. I’m way too attached to the children to be impartial. But she could tell me where they are. It’s as if she’s afraid I’ll kidnap them again.”
Drake squeezed out his frustration on the gear shift. “I wish I could’ve kept my promise to find them a forever home.”
She rested her hand over his. “I know your heart was in the right place, but I also knew you couldn’t really do anything so I didn’t get my hopes up.”
“Still, I’m sorry.”
“No, I’m sorry.” She took a long breath. “We’re headed to your family’s barbeque, and I don’t want to ruin the day. From this moment forward, I’m going to think positively about the children and be happy.”
He smiled at her. “I love how you can find the positive. I hope the longer I’m with you, the more that rubs off on me.”
Her smile widened, and she took hold of his hand. Her skin was soft and warm, and he wished they were heading somewhere private so he could hold her instead of into his family’s big and blustery gathering. He couldn’t seem to get enough of touching her and knowing she was right by his side.
How did he go from the footloose and fancy-free guy to this in the span of a few days?
He didn’t know, and he didn’t care. He was happy, and for the first time in his life, he felt a deep and abiding contentment that he’d been searching for and didn’t know it.
He let go of her hand to turn onto his parents’ street. Seeing the formal two-story house, he hoped the Gentry kids had been placed in a home like this with parents like his. He’d come to appreciate his parents and his siblings more, and he also hoped when the newness of all these feelings wore off that he wouldn’t lose that appreciation.
He pulled up to the beige house with black trim with five windows on the second story and four on the main floor and nestled in tall evergreen and maple trees. An addition had been built on the left side after Clay was born to up the number of bedrooms.
He parked behind other family vehicles.
Natalie removed her hand to unbuckle her seatbelt. “I knew there would be a lot of people here, but look at all of these cars.”
“Nervous?” he asked.
“Yes and no. I know the majority of people, but we haven’t been together since you and I became a thing.”
“They’re all good with it so don’t worry.” He slid out and hurried around to open her door. He circled his arm around her back and started up the brick walkway. He didn’t bother knocking but ushered Natalie in and stepped in behind her. His mom’s sixth sense was on alert, and she was in the hallway to greet them.
“Natalie.” His mom scooped her into a warm hug. “I’m so glad you came and that you’re going to be part of our family.”
“Now, Mom, you’re getting a little ahead of yourself there,” Drake said. “We’re not talking about the future yet.”
His mom released Natalie and hugged him. “I know. But I also know the look of contentment and love in your eyes, and you will be. Trust me.”
“You’re going to scare Natalie away,” he whispered.
His mom stepped back and waved his warning away. “If the full force of all your brothers didn’t cause her to run, nothing will.”
Natalie laughed. “She’s probably right.”
“I saw Reed’s vehicle out front,” Drake said, changing the subject before his mother said anything else. “So no baby yet, then.”
His mother frowned. “Now don’t go spoiling my day by bringing that up. And don’t bug your sister. She’s just as disappointed that she’s gone beyond her due date.”
“Elvis is a stubborn little guy, just like his mama.” Drake laughed.
“Takes one to know one.” His mother turned to Natalie. “Everyone’s on the deck. I’m just finishing up the potato salad, and the burgers are almost done. Have Drake introduce you to the people you don’t know, and we’ll eat soon.”
“Can I help?” Natalie asked.
“Thank you, but no. After the crazy week you’ve had, I want you to just sit back and enjoy yourself. Besides, I have my own little army to help tote things.” She looked up at Drake. “Isn’t that right, son?”
“Absolutely.” He gave his mother a smile and an extra hug.
She pulled back, her concerned gaze digging deep. “Two hugs in a matter of minutes. Is something wrong?”
“Nope. I just appreciate you is all.”
She swatted a hand at him. “Go on now. I don’t need fussing over.”
“But you do more often than we give it.”
She waved her hand again, seeming embarrassed. “Now go on out and introduce Natalie so I can get that potato salad ready.”
He took Natalie’s hand and headed down the hall and through the kitchen to two large French doors standing open. His siblings and significant others, plus Brendan’s nearly five-year-old step-daughter Karlie sat in plush chairs on the deck.
Drake glanced at Natalie. “You ready to meet everyone?”
She smiled up at him, and his heart somersaulted. God had blessed them with such glorious weather to gather, and this was just the beginning of an amazing life together with this woman at his side and the family spread out before him, welcoming and supporting her. He couldn’t imagine being more blessed.
Natalie relaxed in the cushy chair, her thoughts full of so many things as the family members joked around her. The Byrd house was just the kind Natalie had longed for when she was a kid. She’d seen similar houses on TV, and she’d wanted forever parents to go with the house, parents who would love her and Gina to the moon and back. She knew her dreams could come true. Good families like she wanted to be a part of were real, and she’d believed it could happen. Until her dad had taken off. Then she realized that idyllic life would never come true for her. She would always live the life of cheap apartments and a sullen mom, and she had to make the best of it.
But today, it felt as if God had flung doors open wide, not only offering her a spectacular man but the forever parents to go with him. And these amazing brothers and sisters and their significant others. Even little Karlie, who couldn’t be any more precocious and adorable.
And yet, the Gentry children were clinging to Natalie’s thoughts and heart, and she had to work hard not to let it get her down. If only she knew where they were. What they were doing. If they were okay. Adjusting.
“Lunch is ready.” Peggy carried a giant bowl of potato salad to the table.
“Help me up, Reed,” Sierra said. “If this baby doesn’t want to be born yet, I might as well feed him.”
Reed gently tugged her out of the chair, and she pressed a hand to her back as she lumbered to the table. Natalie couldn’t imagine being pregnant. She hadn’t even talked to Drake about potential children. Sure, they’d only started dating, but being together in close confines almost twenty-four hours a day was like going on a hundred dates, and it felt as if they’d known each other for a long time.
“You look so serious.” He leaned close. “What’re you thinking about?”
“Children,” she whispered back. “Now that you’re ready to get into a serious relationship, I wondered if you’d thought about that.”
“I want at least three. Maybe more, depending on how the first three go.”
“Oh.” She sat back in surprise.
“Is that a deal breaker?”
“No. I mean, I’ve honestly never thought in terms of numbers of kids, just knew that if I ever married, I would want the chance to raise kids the opposite of how I was raised.”
He took her hand. “You’re going to be an amazing mother.”
“And you’ll be a great dad. Though I might have to rein in your love of adventure so you don’t put the children in too many risky situations.” She grinned at him.
He laughed. “That would be good.”
“Come on, Natalie,” his mother said. “Since you’re our newest member of the family, you’re up next.”
Drake didn’t object to his mother’s comment, just got up without letting go of Natalie’s hand and brought her to her feet with him. A long folding table butted up to the house was filled with burger fixings, fresh fruit, baked beans in a Crock-Pot, and a giant bowl of potato salad. And at the end of the table were all the ingredients to make s’mores. A fire pit surrounded by colorful Adirondack chairs sat in the yard.
“Nana, can I eat too?” Karlie tugged on Peggy’s hand. “I’m really hungry.”
“Karlie,” her mother, Jenna, warned. “Wait your turn.”
“Aw.” Her lower lip slid out.
“It happens to be your turn next.” Peggy smiled at the little girl, who wore a sundress and white sandals. “Let’s get in line behind Natalie, and I’ll help you fix your plate.”
“Do you like Natalie?” Karlie asked.
“Karlie!” Jenna leaned forward as if preparing to get out of her chair to come after the little tike.
“What? I just wanna know cause I like her. She said really nice stuff about my dress.”
“It is a pretty dress, and I do like Natalie. A lot.” Peggy grabbed a plate. “She loves children, so I know she will become a good friend to you.”
Karlie cast Natalie a questioning look. “Is she gonna marry Unca Drake?”
Jenna gasped. “Sweetheart, just get your food and forget all the questions.”
“Do you like potato salad?” Peggy asked the child.
“It’s yucky.”
Jenna looked like she might say something, but Brendan took her hand, and she held her tongue.
“Okay, how about baked beans?”
“Yummy.”
As Natalie filled her own plate, she listened to Karlie weigh in on the different foods. Natalie reached the end of the table, where Russ stood wearing a black apron that said Grill Sergeant in big white letters.
“We’ve got cheddar cheese, jalapeno, or Swiss.” He held his large stainless steel spatula at the ready. “Or you can have a plain burger, though I only recommend that for people with dairy issues.”
“Jalapeno, please.” She held out her plate.
“Yep,” he said looking at Drake. “She’s a keeper.”
Natalie felt ridiculously proud of her decision to have the spicy burger. “I’m a big fan of hot things.”
“Odd that you chose Drake then,” Erik said and laughed at his own joke.
The others laughed with him, including Drake, telling her that he was secure in his looks where Hand-Me-Dunn might’ve come out for her. But come to think of it, Hand-Me-Dunn hadn’t made an appearance at all today, not even when Natalie had stepped onto the deck and could’ve felt just a little bit inferior as she remembered her family’s rusty charcoal grill on the tiny apartment patio slab and the ancient lawn chairs they’d never been able to replace. That was, when they had a patio. She’d endured times when they’d lived in their car. In fact, Natalie could only remember them grilling food once, and they sure wouldn’t have had any company.
Drake got a Swiss cheeseburger, and she followed him to a long table, where they sat across from Sierra and Reed. Jenna, Brendan, and Karlie soon joined them. Another table and folding chairs had been set up at one end to accommodate all fourteen people in the group.
“Sit on my lap, little bit,” Brendan said to Karlie. “So we can save a chair for the big people.”
She cast him the most stunning smile, her expression filled with adoration, as she climbed up on his lap. She looked at Natalie. “This is my daddy.”
“I know,” Natalie said. “And it looks like he’s a great dad.”
Karlie gave a serious nod. “He doesn’t make fun of me.”
Jenna frowned but didn’t explain.
Drake leaned close to Natalie. “She has juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and her father used to make her feel bad about being sick.”
Shocked, Natalie looked at the precious child. Natalie knew parents could be cruel. She’d seen it over and over. She just didn’t expect to see it here. She offered a prayer for the child’s health and one of thanks that she now had a father who cared for her.
She dug into her burger. “Oh, wow. This is really good.”
“Shh, Dad might hear you, and his head will get even bigger.” Aiden set down his plate and pulled out a chair for his wife, Harper.
“I can hear all of you,” Russ said. “And I know my burgers are the best. Peg tells me every time I make them.”
“Did you ever stop to think she does that so you’ll keep making them and she gets a break from cooking?” Clay asked from his place in line behind his fiancée, Toni.
“But I…” Russ clutched his hand to his chest and mocked an offended look. “Say it isn’t so, Peg.”
She gave him a big kiss on the cheek. “It isn’t so, honey. Your burgers could win awards.”
“Agreed.” Harper held hers up. “Best ever.”
“And you’ve had burgers from all over the world, right?” Aiden asked.
She nodded. “I’ve even had one in Hamburg. Yours is still better.”
Russ puffed out his chest and smiled while Peggy put her arm around him and looked at the table. Clay and Toni sat, leaving a place next to them for Erik, who was grabbing a burger, Pong at his side. The end chairs remained open for Peggy and Russ.
Natalie’s heart overflowed with happiness. This was her dream come true. The family she’d always wanted.
Please, she prayed. Don’t let this slip away from me. And please, please, please let the Gentry children be placed with an amazing family like this one. A forever family.
Sierra suddenly pushed her chair back, her eyes wide. “My water just broke.”
Reed jumped to his feet, his chair tipping over behind him. “We should leave now.”
Sierra nodded and stood.
Peggy rushed over and gave Sierra a hug. “Go. Go. If you’re like me, you won’t have a very long labor at all. We’ll clean up here and get to the hospital as soon as we can.”
Sierra smiled at her mom. “I can’t believe it’s finally time.” The smile faded as she clutched her belly and moaned. “Oh, yeah. It’s time.”
“Let’s go.” Sounding panicked, Reed took her arm and led her to the door to a chorus of best wishes.
The guys resumed eating, and Peggy shook her head. “I knew nothing much could stop you from eating, but now I’ve seen it all.”
“Hey,” Drake said, “we’re going to be at the hospital for hours. We need to fortify.”
“He’s right,” Peggy said. “Everyone eat up before we go.”
Natalie started eating again, but as she pictured the upcoming scene at the hospital, she suddenly felt awkward. Did she go with the family? She barely knew Sierra, and this was such a personal time.
As if Drake read her mind, he bumped her shoulder and lowered his voice so only she could hear. “Will you come with me to the hospital? I know we’re all new to you, but I’d like you there.”
“Of course,” she said.
He rested his hand over hers for a moment and looked into her eyes as if he knew she needed reassurance.
“Can I watch the baby come out?” Karlie asked.
Laughter burst from the others, and she looked crestfallen.
“Sorry, honey.” Jenna ran a hand over Karlie’s hair. “We’ll go in to see the baby as soon as Sierra says it’s okay, but he’ll be born and wrapped in a blanket by then.”
“Okay.” And just like that—like a child could do—she moved on and scooped up a bite of baked beans. “I like Nana’s beans.”
“Thank you, sweetie.” Peggy stood by the table holding her plate as if she might have to dump it and run.
As if taking a cue from her, everyone put their attention to eating, and they were all soon cleaning up. The guys knew exactly what to do. Jenna, Harper, and Toni seemed to be well versed too. Even Pong seemed to know what to do and laid down under the table and out of the way.
“Hey, Natalie,” Russ said. “Mind getting me a container to put the leftover burgers in?”
“Glad to.” By the time she made it to the kitchen, Drake had gotten out a big glass container with a red plastic cover and held it out to her. Their hands touched, and she smiled at him. He fired her a sweltering look, and she suddenly wished this newfound family was already on their way to the hospital so she could have a few minutes alone with Drake.
“Don’t let Mom catch you slacking off.” Clay winked at her.
She rushed out with the container and held it out as Russ plopped the burgers in. “I never have this many left. Guys just didn’t eat their usual quota. Maybe I should bring them to the hospital. I know they’re all gonna be hungry in an hour or so.”
Natalie wasn’t sure what to say to that.
“Yeah, you’re right. Not a good idea.” He took the cover from her hand and snapped it on the container. “Let’s get out of here.”
She turned to find the tables bare and everyone inside. She and Russ crowded into the space with them.
“Okay, too many cooks in the kitchen,” Peggy announced. “Dad and I’ll go ahead while you all finish here.”
Russ removed his apron, and Peggy grabbed her purse from a built-in desk on the far wall.
“Mom’s right,” Drake announced. “Too many cooks. Natalie and I’ll head out too.”
No one argued, so she took Drake’s hand and followed his parents from the house. They set off for the hospital, where Natalie knew she would find out what it was like to truly be a member of this amazing family.
In the waiting room five hours later, Drake watched his mom give Reed a hug, then the expectant father all but fled toward the hall. Malone had joined them and caught up to him. She was dressed in high fashion, as usual. She wore a leather jacket and crisp white blouse with designer jeans and knee-high leather boots. She didn’t say a word but grabbed her brother up in a hug. He sighed, gave her a tense smile, and rushed away.
Each time Reed updated them on Sierra’s progress—everything was going according to her birth plan, and Elvis would be born soon—Drake could feel the guy’s anxiety. Drake had never seen Reed so amped and terrified.
In this situation, Drake would likely feel the same way. Maybe worse.
“Please, Peg.” His dad stood. “Tell me I wasn’t such a basket case when our boys were born.”
“Not by the time we had Drake and Erik, but before that? Yeah, you were.” She chuckled.
His dad planted his hands on his waist. “Not possible.”
“Mom doesn’t lie,” Drake said.
“No, but she does exaggerate.”
She circled an arm around her husband’s waist. “This isn’t one of those times, dear.”
He shook his head.
The others shared a knowing look. Sure, they hadn’t seen their dad at the time, but as Drake had said, their mom would never lie, so they knew it was true.
“Okay, back to charades,” his mom announced. “Who’s up?”
“Me. Prepare to be dazzled by my acting skills.” Malone grinned and grabbed a card from the game box.
They laughed and resumed the game, and Drake participated, but he held tightly to Natalie’s hand as they played and just sat back to admire his amazing family with a strong belief and reliance on God. And now he had a girlfriend too. She fit in like she’d been here for years. Sure, she seemed a bit tentative at times, which was why he held tightly to her hand. Or maybe he did it to convince himself that they were really going to pursue a relationship together.
Many rounds later, Reed barreled into the waiting room. “Eight pounds, thirteen ounces. Big healthy boy.”
“That’s a Byrd for you.” Their mom grinned. “Big and strapping from birth.”
“I’m a dad,” Reed said, looking baffled. “For real. A dad.”
“Congrats, big brother.” Malone hugged him as congratulations were shouted all around.
“Okay, so I’ll come back and tell you when you can see him.” He bolted away.
Drake hugged Natalie, but he wasn’t sure why. Maybe it was because it was such a special moment, and he figured that was a good way to express his joy.
“This is so exciting,” Natalie whispered and pulled back, her face glowing. “I see the tough side of babies coming into this world with challenges the child doesn’t even know he will face. But here, with this big loving family, it’s just the opposite. Thank you for letting me be a part of the special day.”
“I’m the one who’s blessed to have you here.” He sat back and snaked his arm around her shoulders. feeling so contented that he figured his face held the same big dopey look that Reed’s had before he bolted.
The family talked about the birth and speculated on the baby’s coloring. Would he have dark hair like Reed or be blond like Sierra? After growing a little more comfortable with kids, Drake was looking forward to meeting the little guy.
Reed came back, the same big smile brimming on his face, glowing from ear to ear. “You can come in now. I begged for permission to let you all in at the same time, but get rowdy and you’ll be bounced.”
Their mom and dad went first, and then the guys filled in behind in birth order. They were so accustomed to the lineup that, even if they didn’t like it, it felt normal.
When Drake laid eyes on Sierra smiling down on the baby wrapped in a blue blanket, their parents’ faces enamored and eyes glistening, tears stung his eyes too. He’d never felt so emotional before. So overwhelmed. Birth was an amazing thing. So amazing, and he’d never really understood that.
Natalie’s hand slipped into his, and she grinned up at him, her eyes brimming too.
Drake squeezed her hand, swallowed, and tried his hardest for a level voice as he looked back at his sister. “Do we have a name?”
“You would be the one to ask.” Sierra wrinkled her nose at him. “And we do. Meet Asher John Rice. John after Reed and Malone’s dad.”
“Thank you. That’s so special,” Malone said, not even trying to hide the tears rolling down her cheeks.
“My pleasure.” Sierra gave Malone’s hand a squeeze. “And we chose Asher because we like it and, hey, why not start with an A? Just in case.”
Drake groaned along with his brothers.
“Oh, sweetheart.” Her mother kissed Sierra’s cheek. “That’s a lovely name. Sounds like a judge or lawyer.”
“Now, Mom,” Sierra warned. “It’s a little too soon to decide on his career.”
“Besides,” Reed said. “No son of mine is going to be a lawyer.”
“Hey, now.” Malone socked Reed in the arm. “What’s wrong with lawyers?”
“What’s not?” Drake asked.
The others exploded in laughter, and Malone grinned.
Karlie looked confused. “Can I see the baby?”
Brendan lifted her up and took her to the head of the bed. Jenna joined them, and Brendan put his arm around his wife, the warmth of contentment on her face.
Karlie patted Asher’s head. “I like Asher.” She swiveled to look at her mother. “Can we get a baby just like him?”
Jenna’s peace evaporated, and she gaped at her daughter.
Brendan didn’t freak out at all. “We’ll for sure get a baby someday, but right now, I don’t want to share my attention with anyone but you and your mom.”
“Aw,” Peggy said. “That’s my son.”
Drake had to agree that Brendan had a stellar way of answering Karlie’s question.
Karlie smiled at Brendan. “I don’t want to share you either. You’re the bestest.”
Sierra yawned.
“Okay, everyone,” Peggy announced. “Sierra and Asher need their rest. Let’s head back to the house for s’mores.”
“S’mores, yay!” Karlie clapped her hands.
Everyone took their turn to wish Sierra and Reed well then exited the room. His mother’s phone rang, and she took the call while the others strolled toward the exit.
They were nearly at the elevators when she caught up to them. “Your dad and I’ll meet you all back at the house. We have a stop to make.”
“Now?” Drake asked, baffled by his mother’s behavior. She would never leave the family on Sunday. Especially on such a big day.
“It’s a surprise.” She gave him a secretive grin. “One I know you’ll enjoy.”