“Hi,” they say in unison, smiling widely at us.
“Meg, this is Josie and Maddie. They’re Brynna’s daughters.”
Everyone looks up from what they’re doing and waves and I just stand here and look about the back yard in awe.
It looks like some sort of beautiful people convention.
Seriously.
“Come help me grill, son! Grab a beer.” Will’s dad is manning the grill, wearing a Chillin’ and Grillin’ apron and wielding a long metal spatula. Most of the guys are near the grill, either standing with Steven, or sitting at a nearby table.
What is it with men and grilling?
The women are scattered on the covered patio, in small groups chatting and laughing, holding babies, sipping drinks.
Holy shit, I didn’t know that family gatherings like this existed.
“Sure, dad, let me just introduce Meg around.” He grins down at me and links his fingers with mine reassuringly.
“I don’t think I should be here,” I whisper up to him. He scowls and leans down to kiss my dimple.
“You definitely should be here,” he whispers in my ear. He straightens and leads me to the patio. “You know most everyone. My ugly brothers are over there,” he points to his brothers, including Luke and Nate, who all grin and wave. Fuck, they’re all hot.
“You know my mom and dad, and the girls,” again with more smiles and waving. “And that’s Luke’s mom and dad, Neil and Lucy. That couple wandering through the trees is Stacy’s parents, and Brynna’s parents are sitting with my mom. And that big guy that looks like Nate with my dad at the grill is Nate’s dad, Rich.”
I’m completely overwhelmed.
“Hi everyone,” I smile and wave at the group as a whole, and they all smile and wave back. They are a sea of green and blue, clearly dressed to support Will and his team.
Except Nate, who’s just wearing a black t-shirt and faded blue jeans, his hair down, tattooed arm wrapped around Jules’ waist, and he’s whispering in her ear, making her laugh.
“I think Meg could use a drink,” Caleb steps forward and hands me a beer. He has kind blue eyes and an effing killer body.
Of course, he’s a SEAL.
“Yes, Meg could,” I agree and take the beer from him. “Thanks.”
“Come sit with us,” Natalie calls, her daughter Olivia on her shoulder. She is sitting with Brynna, Samantha and Stacy in plush outdoor couches at the far end of the patio.
“I’ll be over there,” I wink at Will and turn to go, but he holds onto my hand and pulls me against him, swinging our linked hands behind my back and kisses me, long and slow, in front of all of these people.
“Get a fucking room!” Caleb calls out.
“Watch your damn mouth!” Will’s mom, Gail, yells at him, making us all laugh.
“What was that for?” I ask him.
“Because I can.” He winks and walks over to his dad. “That’s no way to grill a steak, old man.”
“Here,” Brynna scoots over on the couch making room for me, and hands me the newest Montgomery, Liam. “He’s wearing your outfit, you hold him.”
I glance up at Stacy, who is lounging comfortably next to Natalie. “Do you mind?”
“Of course not. Babies are passed around this family all day. Get used to it.” She grins at her son lovingly as I take him from Brynna and cradle him in my arms. He has a Seattle footfall beanie on his little head, matching the adorable onesie that looks like a jersey with the number eight on the front, tucked into the tiniest blue jeans I’d ever seen, and all wrapped up in a blue and green blanket. “That is the most adorable baby outfit, Meg. Thank you.”
“Oh you’re welcome. I couldn’t resist it. But the girls are absolutely precious.” Sophie, Isaac and Stacy’s older daughter, and Olivia are in matching green and blue tulle tu-tus and green and blue hair bows almost as big as their heads.
“Stacy made the tu-tus,” Natalie grins and pats her daughter’s back.
“There’s not much you can do when you’re a thousand months pregnant,” Stacy remarks with a frown. “I was bored out of my mind.
“That must have been a challenge with a one year old,” I pull Liam up onto my chest, and he nestles down under my chin, sighs, and goes right back to sleep.
“It was, but Isaac was great. He was able to work mostly from home, and I had my mom and Brynna, and Nat and Jules, so I was never alone for long.”
Luke joins us, kisses his daughter’s cheek and then his wife’s lips. “Want me to take her?”
“Sure,” Nat hands the sleepy, dark haired baby to Luke and grins as he murmurs to the baby and walks back over with the guys.
“He’s hot with a baby,” Brynna remarks with a sigh.
“He’s just hot,” Stacy replies. “Sorry, Nat.”
“Puke,” Samantha remarks and makes a gagging noise. “That’s my brother, girls. And why does he always get to hold the baby? He hogs her.”
“Because she comes from my loins,” Luke calls back, having heard Sam.