Wren threw open the front door of the Nomikos house and looked me up and down appreciatively, her eyebrows starting to wiggle as we made eye contact "I've never seen you in a bikini"

"Thank me later" Veda greeted as she pushed past Wren and entered the house "enjoy" she called back. The casual way in which she left us at the door amazed me, it was as if she had been here many times already, and was a part of the family.

Josephine greeted her as she entered the house, and pulled her away to see the party excitedly.

I raised an eyebrow as Wren finally took her eyes from my body and looked back to me "babe... you've seen me naked... this surely isn't better than that"

Wren smiled, and her hands landed on my hips before snaking around my waist as she drew me into her body "I've always appreciated the wrapping of gifts... it gets you all excited for the present inside"

"Oh I see" I tease "well you don't get to unwrap this gift ... it's not your birthday"

Wrens grip of my waist tightened "Oh Ms Dawson...didn't you hear your sister... she handed this gift to me personally"

"Ms Nomikos, aren't we meant to be going slow" I remind her, leaning in and brushing my lips over hers. The kiss was gentle and delicate, and absolutely delicious.

Wren cupped my cheek, and with my eyes still closed I smiled and broke the kiss. "Mmm" I reacted, licking my bottom lip.

"I miss you" she whispered, bringing my lips back to hers, but this time kissing me deeply, her left hand on my hip and the right caressing my jaw.

"I think Olympia is about to drown Camilla" Bash's concerned and raspy voice breaks through our little embrace and has us part.

"Sorry?" Wren asks "what did you just say"

"Olympia is about to drown Camilla" he repeats.

"Noooo" Wren panics, as she takes off back through the front door running.

"Hi Millie" Bash greets me, with a completely different and happy tone. He takes my hand, and I smile down at him.

"Hey Bastion. Did you say that to get rid of her" I ask him, Knowing his dimples didn't just pop for nothing.

"I just wanted to show you my new game, and Wren doesn't share you" he explains.

"Come on then" I say, tugging his hand "lead the way before she realises you duped her"

Bastion lead me up to the game room and had me take a seat as he loaded up his new Mario Kart game. He was so excited to show me, his large brown eyes were sparkling. Nobody loved visitors quite like Bastion did. A new person, and a captive audience to drag into his competitive races. Everyone had a character, and Bash picked them out for you personally. I had always been Princess Daisy.

"So, you played Camilla yet" I ask curiously.

He hands me the second controller and shakes his head as we pick out our characters cars. Bastion was always Mario, with the little red race car and the flying squirrel parachute.

"Why not" I ask. "I thought everyone got a character"

He picks out our race and we wait at the starting line for the countdown "She told me she doesn't play kids games" he reveals.

I frown and mull that over as we begin the race. Bastion is on the edge of his seat as he speeds off in first place, and I must admit I try not to whoop his butt so easily on here, despite the fact I can. I loved watching his excited little face when he sped over the line ahead of me and threw his fist in the air triumphantly.

"Gotcha again Millie" he says with a little laugh, as a shell knocks me on my head.

"Did Cam come up and play" I ask.

Bastion nods "he played one game with me and Olympia before he had to go"

"Well that's good" I reply "I would try Veda out... I bet she would be good at this"

He nods, and throws another shell back at me. Laughing. "Veda already played me with JoJo on Sunday. She's a little mean about winning... but she was really good at it"

I roll my eyes. Little MJ strikes again. She was brutally honest, but she was a good kid.

The door pushed open and Henrietta padded in, she had grown a heck of a lot since I last saw her and now resembled a shaggy Black and Tan bear. Wren was right behind her, looking for Bash. "You little devil" she accused "Olympia and Daisy are sipping sodas on the patio, and Cam and Camilla are laying out by the pool. Zero dramas Bastion Nomikos... now give me back my girlfriend" she said coming across the room and taking my arm. I dropped the controller accidentally, and my Princess in her yellow dress, sped off of the side of rainbow road.

Bastion raced across the finish line and cheered "she's all yours" he said looking up with a grin "we've already finished the race"

"Rematch" I asked him quickly, as he stood up and walked away with a winners swag.

That was totally unfair. I would have won it.

He wrinkled up his nose as he considered it "nope" he said with a wink, and he left with Henrietta.

I tugged Wren down on top of me on the seat "you ruined my chances of finally winning rainbow road... I had it in the bag"

"Kiss me" she asked, ignoring my outburst, and she leant in and captured my lips. She took my hand and placed it palm down on her chest, slowly inching it down her body until it was between her legs. Her lips smiled against mine "follow this rainbow road" she teased with a little laugh.

I removed my hand and instead brought her to my lips again, kissing her eagerly and ending her laughter.

"Wren" Came Teddy's voice from outside the door. She rapped her knuckles against it with a knock. Our embrace was broken apart once more "no girls on the first floor" she reminded her as she peeked her head inside.

Wren stood up from my lap "we weren't doing anything...inappropriate" she argued "and I am an adult Mom"

Teddy gave me a little wave "Hey Millie"

I stood too "Morning Teddy, sorry I didn't come straight out back. Bastion got to me first. You know I can't say no to him"

Her own dimples deepened "Oh I know first hand. My son is insistent and cute"

"I think it's a family trait" I return, looking to Wren. I couldn't say no to her either.

"Come on then... let's get this party started" Teddy suggested "the veggie burgers are on the grill. Josephine came up with the entire menu today for Veda, and I must admit... my Momma will be a little shocked when she arrives to find no Lamb, and zero meat options"

Wren made a face "this could be the day that Yia Yia finally learns that Josephine is a little different than the rest"

"Vegan" Teddy whispers under her breath "My Momma might just walk into the deepest part of the pool and stay there"

"Would it be that bad" I ask naively.

Wren and Teddy both turn to me with raised brows, they looked so alike in that moment "oh yes Millie" Teddy assured me "oh yes"

"Then don't tell her they aren't meat burgers"
I suggest "A lot of these veggie ones taste just like meat. I've had them before, an ex of mine was Vegan, and I've not known the difference. They don't all taste like cardboard anymore"

Wren looked to Teddy like it was an epiphany "that's not a bad idea Mom"

Teddy nodded and gave me a high five I wasn't expecting. Her hand hit mine with such force, it made me step backward. "This is why I approve of my daughter dating a teacher. We needed another intellectual among us... we have plenty of brawn in this family, but we slightly lack in brains" and she laughed "don't tell Harper I said that" she asked sheepishly, as she exited the room. "Come down behind me" she called from the stairs "don't make me come back to find you both in an uncompromising position"

Wren turned back to me and raised an eyebrow "an ex was vegan" she asked "don't think I missed that little nugget. Ruth I'm guessing"

I smiled, but it was brief, because out of the window behind her, I spied a familiar face coming down the driveway.

"At least my ex isn't currently walking towards your house" I observe.

Wrens eyes flash panic, and she looks behind herself "Ava" she whispers.

"I didn't realise she was invited to the party" I comment.

Wren turns back to me and takes my hand "she wasn't. I didn't invite her. I promise" she explains nervously, like I wouldn't believe her.

I smile and shake my head a little "Babe, it's fine. I was teasing. You know Ava doesn't bother me. It's okay. I know you are on a team
Together"

"I need to tell you something" she begins, but the door bell chimes.

Harper calls up the stairs. "Ava is here Wren"

I nudge her "Come on, let's get down to this party" and I tug her hand and lead her back down the stairs.

Ava is stood in the large parlour, with a smile on her face as she spoke with Harper. The smile slips from her face sideways, as she spots us on the stairs, like the tip of a melting ice burg sliding into the ocean. Her eyes gravitate to our clasped hands. You would have to be blind not to see the confusion on her face. I guess she last heard we were separated.

Harper comes over, the first time I had seen her today, and she pulls me into a hug on the bottom step. Wrens hand slipped away.

"Millie" Harper Greeted, releasing me "Come out back. I have to show you how the party came together. Veda has not stopped smiling"

"If she's happy, I'm happy" I return. I followed after Harper. "And Thank you so much, for hosting it for her"

"Be right behind you" Wren called.

I looked back over my shoulder to see her and Ava already in a back and forth of hushed words.

What was that about?!

***
The party outside was incredible. Harper and Teddy had not spared a dime when it came to balloons, food, drinks, banners and pool floats. There was a large Photo Booth too, with Props, that the kids were in and out of. The bottom of the pictures were printed with 'Veda's 15th Birthday'

The vegan food was absolutely delicious, and I was correct, there was no way Maria would be able to tell some of it wasn't meat, other than the fact there were zero corpses on a spit.

The music was loud, and the bass was banging. People were laughing and smiling, and the vibe was a happy one. I took time to thank everyone that brought a gift, since this originally wasn't a party for Veda. Most people didn't even know her. It was a mix of Nomikos Family and friends, but there were a few friends of Harper and Teddy that I didn't recognise. Perhaps from the WNBA scene. Veda was in the pool with Josephine.

I noted another familiar form floating around in a pink donut, and the grin on my face was a little devilish. I stripped off my t shirt and shorts, and left them on a sun lounger as I took a little run and jumped in beside her. The scream as her donut flipped made me laugh, and up from the water came a blonde bob and wide green eyes. Once she spotted me, she sighed and growled, as her hand swiped at me "Dawson" she accused "i didn't want to get my hair wet"

Josephine and Veda swam over laughing "Kate that was hilarious" Veda giggled. "You flew in the air"

"I got that on video" Olympia called from the side. Her legs were hanging over the pool, and her white iPhone was in her hand, still poised on us. It must have been Daisy sat beside her, she was adorable, in a natural way. You know those girls who just came out the womb cute and kept the look right through teen hood when the rest of us were covered in pimples, and had limbs that got long and lanky. That's Daisy. Adorable plump little cheeks, when the rest of her was so small, and big blue eyes. She had her long blonde hair up in a lop sided bun that she had clearly just thrown it up in. Some people could do that and still look adorable, but when I attempted it I looked like a street rat. Daisy looked quite a bit shorter than Olympia I observed. Olympias feet were in the water, it was up to her ankles, and yet Daisy's toes were only just touching it. Mind you, Olympia was destined to be a little taller than Teddy, which would absolutely suit her chosen career one day.

"Send me it" I asked, amused at the thought of Kates face as she realised she was mid air.

Kate reached for me, wrapping her arms around my neck from behind and using me as a water taxi "take me back to the stairs" she demanded.

"Of course Ma'am" I gave in. I kept one hand on the side so Kate didn't drown me on my back, and I looked at the party around us. Wren hadn't reappeared yet. I tried not to focus on that, because I didn't want to be the possessive girlfriend, not again.

"Who is that tall dark and handsome" Kate asked me.

I looked, to where she was currently drinking someone in. He was for sure a member of the NBA. He had to be with that height.

"I recognise him from somewhere" I muse.

Josephine swam up beside us with Vedas arms around her neck, the same way I had Kate. "That's Kai Barker. He's retired from the NBA. Works with Mom sometimes"

"He single" Veda asked.

"Yes" Josephine confirms.

"Good" Veda returns "because Kate is mentally climbing him right now, and if I'm not mistaken, he's staring right at your titties Kate"

"Language" I repeat for the hundredth time already. I should really get a swear jar, and make myself a millionaire.

Kate let go of my neck and held onto the side of the pool, arms spread out behind her, looking away from him to us. She looked herself over, a cute black all in one, with a sharp V between her large and perfectly rounded bosoms. No wonder Kai was ogling my Katherine.

"He's looking at Millie surely" she asks.

We all look back to him, he was most certainly not looking at me. He was looking at the back of Kates blonde bob and probably willing her to turn back around.

"Let me" Olympia suggests as she swims past us all and climbs out of the pool.

"She's not actually going to ask him" Kate gasps, as she lets go of the pool side and swims between me and Veda to hide.

Olympia wraps a towel around her little bikini clad body and approaches Kai and Teddy. They share some words back and forth, and Teddy and Kai look over to the pool. He smiles and nods, his teeth are bright white. He is such a large guy, with broad muscly shoulders and a strong chest, that, just like his biceps, stretched out the fabric of the tight white T shirt. I couldn't imagine how he and little Kate could possibly have any kind of physical relationship without him hurting her.

I guess we were about to find out though, how much one woman can take, because Kai was now walking over here, with a smug looking Olympia beside him. Teddy introduced them as they arrived pool side. "Kai this is Millie, my daughters girlfriend, and this" she said gesturing to Kate "is Kate. Her best friend. Kate runs and owns a successful bakery in Eugene with her family"

Veda and I part, allowing Kate to be revealed between us fully. She smiles up shyly "and this is Kai. Kai and I work together a lot on game commentary jobs. He's former NBA, and the best friend of an old ex. We go back a long time. All round nice guy though. I will leave you guys to chat" she says with a wink behind him.

We all slowly moved away from Kate and left her and Kai chatting. He had a deep and smooth voice, that seemed to make Kate more shy than usual. She eventually got out of the pool, and once wrapped in a towel, they went to the adult only bar across the grass.

I stayed in the pool for half an hour with Wrens siblings, and Veda, her cousins and then Aunts. We played a game of water volleyball. Cameron eventually got in, he was good at this. He and... Camilla. I hadn't noticed her earlier, they had been absent when we came out to the party.

Camilla was a brunette, with perfectly straight hair that was glossy, and irritatingly still, as the breeze whipped up and made the rest of us look unkempt, she remained perfectly so. She had this look on her face. I couldn't quite read it, but her lips were thin and pursed, like she wasn't quite comfortable. Cameron constantly looked to her lovingly, taking her petite waist and pulling her to him for a kiss. Making sure she felt involved I guess and comfortable. She smiled at him genuinely, and clearly he made her happy. Perhaps she was just shy and unsure with so many people she didn't know around her. He was so focused on Camilla that I wasn't sure he noticed how much he began to drift away from the game and the group, hyper focusing on his girlfriend. I guess we were all a little like that with new love.

Well, my girl wasn't. I was just about to get out and go find her, when she appeared in the yard in her bikini top and shorts. Her parents spotted her and took her aside. I studied them, there seemed to be something being discussed that made Wren look a little unlike herself, perhaps even worried.

I got out of the pool and excused myself from my team. I threw my towel around myself and dried out my hair a little with one hand. Wren appeared beside me and tried to smile "I can't believe I just missed seeing you in the pool"

"Where were you" I asked. I didn't want it to sound accusatory, but I also felt a little out of the loop.

"Ava wanted to arrange going back to college. Cam and I came back with her at the end of term. She wanted to know if we were driving back down together"

"And that took, forty minutes" I asked. Oops, that sounded a little sour. "Sorry, I just mean. You were gone for ages. Why didn't you bring her out to the party"

"She wasn't invited. I didn't particularly want her here" she revealed honestly.

"Why" I ask curiously. I sat down on my lounger and wrapped the towel around my shoulders.

Wren sat on the opposite one and reached out to caress my hand "Because we aren't going to be friends. It's not something that I can see working out"

"She still likes you" I ask.

Wren nods "she does, and it's not fair. For her or me. She won't be able to move on and I will always feel like I can't be myself with you if she is around, to spare her feelings. I honestly don't think Ex's can be friends"

I was relieved, because I knew that myself with Ruth. It had been impossible to be friends after, despite how we tried. We called ourselves friends, but I hadn't seen her for over a year. Unless I bumped into her by chance, I doubt I would ever seek her out ever again. I wished her well though.

"Agreed" I smile "now... Ms Nomikos" I say teasingly "let's get you wet" I suggest.

Her eyebrows wiggle "Please"