Everyone claps as Dad raises a glass to toast. In pairs, we all clink glasses with them.
The entire day, I feel like I’m walking on a cloud, surrounded by both my old family and my new one. When it’s time for Libby’s afternoon nap, Alex just sits on the bench under one of the enormous trees in my parents’ garden, and Libby sleeps happily on his chest.
I smile, shimmying close to my husband.
“She sure likes sleeping here,” he says.
“Takes after her momma. My girl sure picked a great napping spot.”
I kiss the top of Libby’s head before brushing my lips against Alex’s, soaking in all the love and warmth of this moment. I’m going to make him a happy, happy man for the rest of our days, using the same simple rules our clan lives by: laugh hard, love harder, and always look after each other.