"Was that the door?" Reese and I glance over our shoulders. We're in the garden watching our children run around the tables, screaming and laughing. Parents watching over them with joyful smiles.

It's our son Hayden's fifth birthday and he's invited all his friends over for a birthday party. Balloons decorate the house and dozens of gifts lay on the porch. Hayden is chatting with Celeste -- Jared and Sasha's daughter -- at the end of the table.

It feels like only yesterday I gave birth to my second son. A perfect baby boy who looked the double of his father. Reese wanted to name him Hayden, he said he knew from the moment he saw his boy in his arms that it was the perfect name.

Here we are after all these years. My beautiful family.

"Did you invite anyone else?" Reese asks and I shake my head. I glance around the garden, checking if we've missed anyone.

My brother Theo is here with Sky and their children Leah and Xavier. Theo's mother Veronica is sitting next to my mother talking about the good old days. I never imagined they'd be the best of friends after everything that took place in the past, but now it looks like all is forgotten.

It makes my heart burst with warmth seeing our family come together.

Reese's dad Richard, called us this morning and sent a birthing gift to Hayden in the mail. He's moved house and found a new woman in his life. She's lovely, kind and caring. Reese says he's turning softer in his old age and being with this new woman, thankfully their relationship is rebuilding. Ever since the wedding, his dad has been a part of Reese's life more. I can see it makes Reese pleased to know his dad cares and respects him.

Masen is sitting on the swings in the corner, focused on Lucinda -- Maddox's youngest daughter -- who is dancing for him. I see his eyes sparkle as he gazes at the fair-haired girl.

Who is missing then? "No, not that I'm aware of?"

We peek at the sliding glass doors and a small gasp leaves my lips when I notice two people I never expected to see walking into our garden.

A smile greets my lips as I rush over to hug the woman with bubble gum pink hair. "Oh my goodness, hi!" I giggle, my heart jumping with joy.

"Surprise!" Roxy holds up a birthday gift bag and JJ steps beside his wife. "I had no idea you were coming over!"

"Hey, guys! You made it!" Reese laughs and I stare at my husband in shock and disbelief. He winks at me, smirking like the devil he is. I can't believe what I'm hearing. He planned this!

"Sorry we're late, traffic was terrible," JJ gives Reese a bro hug and that's when I see two other people stroll up behind Rox and JJ. "Matt!" I grin from ear to ear, I can't believe I'm seeing everyone after so long. I haven't seen these guys since our wedding.

"Hey, guys!" he approaches us while my eyes zoom in on the bottle blonde hanging off Matt's arm and recognition hits me. Oh my God.

Her hair is shorter, a neat pixie cut that reaches past her ears. She looks taller and more sophisticated, wearing a black Prada dress. "Hey, Marnie... hey Reese." her voice is soft, timid. She gives me a sheepish smile and I return one of my own. "Hey, Harley,"

Reese stands straighter next to me, he looks just as shocked to see Harley as I am. "Hey... Wait. I'm confused. Are you guys together?"

Matt smirks and kisses the side of Harley's cheek. "Yeah, a couple of months now. We reunited about six months ago. She was modelling one of my photo shoots and well... it started from there. There's always been something about this girl that I adored. I was too young and stupid to see it in high school." he snickers while Harley smiles affectionately at him.

They look so happy together. I'm glad Matt found someone and even Harley seems content in their relationship. "I hope you guys don't mind me being here." Her eyes meet mine and I see the nervousness in her expression. She must have thought I'd be unhappy with her coming here.

I shake my head, my hand reaches out for hers. She finally takes my hand. "Not at all. The more the merrier. You guys are just in time for cake."

Harley smiles and I see so many emotions pass her eyes. Forgiveness. Acceptance. Relief. Happiness.

She must see the same in mine.

Matt and Harley take a seat near my mother in one corner. JJ and Reese talk music and Rox stays standing next to me, that's when my eyes meet a small girl holding onto the back of Roxy's legs.

She wears a pale blue dress with ribbons on her long wavy hair. "Did you hear that Eleanor? There is cake!"

Her eyes a deep shade of sky blue peek up at her mother and a shy smile greets her lips. "Mom!" Hayden tugs my shirt and I look down, he's holding a soccer ball in his arm and his eyes connect with the little girl next to Roxy.

Hayden forgets what he wants to ask me and steps in front of the girl, his eyes fixed on her like she's the only person here. "Hi! I'm Hayden. What's your name?"

The girl with the copper-coloured hair blushes and looks up at her mother again. Roxy nods her head and the girl gazes at Hayden. "Ellie." she whispers sweetly.

Hayden's eyes lock onto the book Eleanor's holding to her chest. "What book are you reading?"

Ellie's smile widens. "The Little Mermaid. It's my favourite."

His eyes light up in fascination and interest. He's always been such a curious and bright boy, always wanting to learn things and meet new people. "Really? I've never read that one."

Her head tilts to one side and her brows furrow slightly. "You can borrow my copy if you want." She hands the shiny teal-coloured book out to him. Something tells me that she doesn't want to hand her favourite book over and yet she's offering it to my son.

My brows raise when Hayden asks if she can read the book to him. Ellie looks confused and slightly awkward. She keeps glancing at her mother and back down at the boy she's just met.

"It's okay sweetie. Why don't you read the book to Hayden, yeah?" her mother whispers.

I can see her eyes sparkling and her red mouth twitching with a tiny smile while my son looks totally besotted with her. So cute.

"Umm... sure." a lock of hair falls into her eyes and Hayden smiles. He smiled at her.

That's a rare sight.

He holds out his hand and takes her small one, leading her away from us. "Come see my treehouse my dad built." Ellie grins when her mother gives her approval.

"What is that?" Ellie points at the ball Hayden is holding and his eyes widen in shock. "It's a soccer ball. You never played?" she shakes her head, eyes gleaming.

The pair walk towards the treehouse talking animatedly. We watch them, grinning like Cheshire cats.

"That was the sweetest thing I've ever witnessed," Rox says, placing a palm to her chest. I giggle uncontrollably, our sweet babies drifting away towards the treehouse. "Yeah," with my hands on my hips, I laugh.

"Guess the cake will have to wait."

♥