Abby made it home from college, as well as Rachel’s son, Alex, and Kimberly’s son, Peter. Jay brought all three of them from the airport at the same time.
Ryan ran to his mother, excited to see her so soon. He stayed with Liam and Viola while Abby was attending college, though she traveled home at least twice a month to visit him. It had taken some convincing, but Viola finally convinced Abby that she needed to focus on college to build a life for her and Ryan. And that she wouldn't have to worry about Ryan having a stable environment while she prepared for their future.
Alex had been quiet most of the time he was home, though he did seem to spend some time with Peter and Walsh. Walsh practically begged Alex to show him how to play bass. The bass was a talent Alex picked up in college, though his real passion was writing. Once Alex realized I too was a literature freak, we had some very lengthy, heated, and great conversations over books and authors.
The house was completely full for the party and the following week, not that it was ever quiet with Aidan, my four children, and the constant slew of friends they brought around. Most of the college crew stayed in New York for a week before returning to their colleges. Before they all left, Kimberly and I noticed that Abby and Peter seemed to take a liking to each other, and that Peter made sure to include Ryan. I wouldn’t be surprised if the next family gathering didn’t bring Abby home with Peter close behind her.
With the party behind us, I sat in my office at the foundation head office. Glancing up from a stack of documents, my eyes caught on the family photo we'd taken the day of the party. Almost instinctually, my fingers grazed the glass just above the faces of my children. There were all so grown up and their own person.
It was hard to believe Walsh and Livy had just turned fifteen. They both still shared the unspoken ability to communicate they had developed as babies. Fights, thankfully, never lasted between the two of them. Walsh often caved in for his sister before it could get too far.
Walsh was now obsessed with music, basically taught himself to play the piano by the age of seven and from there ventured into guitar, drums, saxophone, violin, and even the tuba. Not only was he one of the best musicians at his private school, he was so passionate that he developed a music club that met at our house weekly. I could already see this club turning into a band. We didn’t know for sure what kind of musician Walsh would become, but we knew whatever he did in life would revolve around music. Though, if he were to take the rock star path, I would believe it was to impress a certain girl who adored rock music - Adeline.
Not that he would admit it to Aidan or me, but Walsh developed his first crush and it was on Phoebe and Oscar’s daughter. It wasn’t hard to see why. She was a very bright and eloquent girl. She had Oscar’s height and bright blue eyes, while she inherited Phoebe’s thin frame and black hair. Adel was already on her way to being big in modeling, Phoebe having used her in fashion shows since she was a baby and being featured in multiple magazines. Adel enjoyed modeling, but her hobby was music. She played the piano and guitar, two things that immediately put her on the very high pedestal Walsh had created for her.
Jimmy grew up very close with both Walsh and Livy. He was very much like his father and Walsh was very much like Aidan so, needless to say, Elora and I have had to break up multiple fights between the boys. We also realized that there was an ongoing competition over Adeline's attention. It seemed, Jimmy too, had developed a crush.
Livy was fashion obsessed. It was like Phoebe had found a way to mix her genetic fashion code into her. Livy is very unique in her fashion choices and started designing clothes when she was six years old. Though the first designs were for her Barbie’s, the ones that followed were what caught Phoebe’s attention. So much so, that now, Livy spent two days a week at Phoebe’s design studio as her protégé. I enjoyed that Livy had this amazing opportunity but often felt as if I didn't connected to my daughter the way Phoebe could.
Livy wasn't too much into guys. "I am far too career focused to deal with the Neanderthals I go to school with." She had once said when Viola asked her about having any boyfriends. We both laughed. Aidan smiled proudly when I told him about it, clearly happy to not have to deal with a boy crazy teenager. However, that did not mean that boys didn't notice Livy and Aidan was the first to notice the way Ryan followed Livy around.