Chapter 80 Worth Celebrating

Chapter 80 Worth Celebrating
Hayden's POV

Florida feels different when you're not just visiting.

It feels different when you wake up in a house that belongs to you. When the sunlight comes through windows you've chosen and the sound of your daughter's laughter fills the rooms.

I stand by the kitchen window, coffee in hand, watching Lexi through the glass.

She's running across the backyard like she has somewhere important to be.

She doesn't.

At least, I don't think she does.

But that doesn't stop her from running anyway.

Her little feet move as fast as they can across the grass, her curls bouncing wildly behind her while Victoria sits on the patio, watching her with that familiar smile on her face.

There was a time when I thought happiness was supposed to be something big, extraordinary. But standing here, I know happiness can be ordinary days like this. 

Watching my girls and hearing them laugh.

"She's going to wear herself out," Victoria says when she notices me watching them.

I step outside, leaning against the doorframe.

"She gets that from you."

Before she can respond, Lexi suddenly changes direction and comes running toward me.

"Daddy!"

I barely have time to put my coffee down before she's wrapping her little arms around my legs.

And just like that, everything else disappears.

I bend down and lift her into my arms, earning a squeal of laughter as I spin her around.

……….

The office still has that newness to it.

The walls are clean. The furniture is exactly where we want it. And the name on the door is still something I find myself looking at twice whenever I walk in.

Collins & Thompson Chambers 

Noah and I had spent a full year planning this.

Talking about what we wanted to build. The kind of lawyers we wanted to be. The kind of firm we wanted to create.

And now, somehow, we were here.

I look over at Noah, who's sitting behind his desk with a file open in front of him.

"You know," he continues, "I still think my name should've come first."

"Thompson and Collins?"

"Exactly."

"It sounds terrible."

He places a hand over his chest. "That hurts."

"You'll survive."

He smiles, and I can't help smiling back.

Opening this firm together had been a risk.

There were easier options. Safer options, but somewhere along the way, we had both realized that we wanted to build a legacy for our children.

Noah walks over to the window, looking out at the city below.

"Do you ever think about how far we've come?"

I look at him.

"What brought that on?"

He shrugs. "I don't know. One day we didn't get along, and the next we're opening a law firm."

I let out a quiet laugh.

"When you put it like that, it does sound ridiculous."

"Right?"

For a moment, we stand there in silence.

"I'm proud of you, man, I'm actually learning a lot from you in the fatherhood department.” says finally.

I look at him.

"Don't get emotional on me."

He rolls his eyes. "I take it back."

"Too late."

He laughs, shaking his head.

Victoria's POV

My work gives me a sense of purpose that is entirely my own.

Working with children isn't always easy. Some days, I come home emotionally exhausted, carrying stories and experiences that stay with me long after I leave the office.

But it matters.

Helping a child feel heard.

Helping them understand emotions they didn't yet have the words for.

Being someone they could trust.

It reminds me that healing doesn’t always happen in one big moment.

Sometimes, it happens slowly.

"You're thinking too hard again."

I look up to find Liam standing in the doorway of the kitchen.

I narrow my eyes. "Do you ever knock?"

"No."

"Clearly."

He walks over and takes a seat across from me, completely unbothered by my irritation.

It's been amazing having Liam as part of our lives again after living in different countries for so long.

"So," he says, reaching for one of the snacks on the counter.

"What have you heard from Mo?"

It's been hard being away from her, these past two months feel longer with her in New York.

"Not much recently," I admit. "We still talk, but she's hiding something from me. Why?”

He shrugs, but I know Liam well enough to recognize when something is bothering him.

"I don't know. I was just thinking about her."

I study him.

"Thinking about her, or worrying about her?"

His eyes meet mine.

"Maybe both."

I reach across the table and place my hand over his.

"Then call her."

He lets out a quiet laugh. "It's not always that simple with her."

"No," I say softly. "It isn't."

"But we'll figure it out," I tell him, "But Liam, you can't wait forever.”

Liam looks down at our hands before nodding slowly.

"I know."

………..

By the time dinner begins, the house is louder than it has been all week with everyone gathered around in my backyard.

I stand beside Hayden, watching everyone chatting amongst themselves, and something inside me feels warm.

Someone rings the bell and I look at Hayden.

“Did you invite someone from work?”

Hade shakes his head and follows me to the front door.

“Surprise!” 

“W-what? Why didn't you tell me you're coming? I could've driven you from the airport.”

“That wouldn't be a surprise now, would it?” Mo says as I wrap my arms around hers.

She talks my ear off as we walk to the backyard where everyone is now getting settled around the table.

“Auntie Mo!” Lexi comes running and Mo lifts her up.

“Hey Ladybug,”

“Not Ladybug, it's Peanut.” Lexi says with a laugh.

I walk towards the table to fix a place for Mo while Aiden and Lexi keep asking Mo what she brought for them.

“Did you know she was coming?” Liam whispers.

“No.”

Liam nods at that and I watch as he walks towards Mo. 

“Did she finally tell you she broke up with Jamie?” 

“What?” It comes out louder than I intended and Hailey gives me a look.

“What do you mean they broke up? When?” I ask Hailey.

“Not sure about the details. I thought you knew.” Hailey says walking away to avoid more questions.

I resist the urge to ask Mo about what I just heard and focus on dinner. Layla and Scarlett keep completing my cooking, with Mum bragging that I learned from the best.

“To family,” Hayden says, raising his glass.

"To family," we repeat.

I look around the table.

At the people who had been there through different chapters of our lives. I'm not thinking about the past, or worried about the future. I'm just celebrating life.

Because after everything we've lost and everything we've survived, I've learned one thing.

Life doesn't wait for you to be ready.

So you love, forgive and grow.

And when you're lucky enough to find happiness, you don't question whether you deserve it.

You simply let yourself have it.

And tonight, as I look around at our family, I know one thing for sure.

We're still here.

And that, more than anything, is worth celebrating.