Maddox laughed, the fireworks reflecting on the lenses of his glasses. Dee smiled up at him and he lowered his face to hers to kiss her, showing his love for her freely. He had come so far from the man who refused to admit love could even be a possibility for him.
Richard VanRyan was next to him—Maddox’s closest confidant and friend to all at BAM. He was such an integral part of our lives, I couldn’t imagine an event without him. Loyal and steadfast, he belonged to our group. His wife, Katy, was nestled in his embrace, the rock in his world. They were an amazing couple.
Reid stood close to me, as he always did at any event. His words still echoed in my head, making me smile. Becca sat in a chair, not wanting to miss the fireworks but too tired to stand. He was behind her, his hands on her shoulders, keeping her close. The boy who had made my heart ache for his loneliness had grown into a caring, wonderful husband. He smiled when I caught his eye, silently asking if I was okay. He had been a little worried I would be upset over his toast, but there was no way I could be anything but deeply touched. He wore his heart on his sleeve, and I was proud to be one of those that he loved.
Van stood to the side, Mila on his shoulders, carefully held in place with one of his large hands. Sammy and Liv were tucked beside him. Reed stood in front of him, Van’s other hand resting on his shoulder. Reed would get excited and point something out to Van, who would smile and ruffle his hair or squeeze his shoulder. Van was the gentle giant who loved hard, especially when it came to his family.
Halton was a late addition to our blended family but loved. Aloof and cool when I had first met him, he had changed and found himself, thanks to Fee and the love she brought out in him. He wasn’t with us on the beach, but I knew he was on the deck at his house, sitting with Fee, and no doubt surrounded by his children. The loner, no longer alone, and complete only when with his family.
How far they had all come.
All my boys were settled, happy. They were the tapestry of my life, woven in bright, beautiful colors that lit my world. Because of them, I had a life I loved. Because of their dream, I’d had something to live for after I lost Max. Because of BAM, I found Jordan and discovered a new life. Not better, but different—just the way Jordan had said. They were all my family—loved through the heart or brought into my life through marriage, they were mine. All of them.
As if sensing my growing emotion, Jordan tucked me tight to his side, pressing a kiss to my head.
“This has been one of the best days ever, my darling. Thank you.”
He was right. I was surrounded by love.
And all of this happened because three lonely young men met in college and became friends. Together, they formed their own family and built an empire.
I would never forget meeting them that fateful day as they argued over household chores in their backyard. Their lack of knowledge about how to do anything was obvious, and it brought out my maternal instincts. I had stepped in to give them a hand and soon found myself immersed in their world.
They added a depth to my life I had been missing, and somehow, I gave them what they needed. I became the love they could accept, until they were able to love themselves enough to find the person they were meant to share their life with. And because of their love, I was strong enough to do the same when it was my time to find love again.
They were the sons I never had, the businessmen I was honored to be associated with, and they had all become the men I knew they would be one day.
But they were, and always would be, boys to me.
The BAM boys.
My boys.