Chaos about covers it, what a weekend with the Nomikos looked like. We arrived on the Friday night, Cannon beach Oregon, to a rental for all of us. It was a ten bedroom property beside the beach with views to die for. There was one little gate, between you, and stepping your toes into the sand.

"This is incredible" Allie whispers as we take our luggage from the rental car.

Teddy helps me to lift the cases down. Harper carry's Wren, asleep, to the front door where Callie waited to see us in. I look around to Allie who is admiring the silhouette of the house in darkness "Allie it's dark...you can't see anything yet" I reply with a small twitch of my lips in amusement.

"I meant the yard...look at all the beautiful spring blooms" she says pointing down beside the white picket fence.

I follow her gaze and nod "very pretty"" I observe  "but not as pretty as ours"

Allie worked our yard every season, making it the envy of the street, always a sea of colour from our front door down to the Mailbox. I shut the trunk as Teddy grabs the last piece of luggage and sets it down, and we roll the cases up the pathway toward Callie.

"adelfí" Teddy greets Callie, dropping a case beside her feet. She pulls her in for a hug and leans down to her belly with a wave "eliá"

"I found out a few days ago this little olive is a little boy" Calliope confesses excitedly.

Teddy and I both squeal as Allie comes to join us "Callie a boy?" She asks.

Callie nods "yes we have a little Apollo on the way"

We all fuss over her and start to talk to the smallest bump you've ever seen.

Callie deserved the world, she was the best of the best, a loyal friend, sister, daughter and the kind of person you wanted in your corner. She had put herself last, constantly, in life, never taking the time to figure out what it was she would like to do with hers. Now that she was four months pregnant with Apollo, she never looked more content, and she had love in her life, something we had all wanted for her. I wanted to bask in this Calliope, because she was radiant, and her time had come.

"I'm just relieved it's a boy because the Nomikos girls to come, they terrify me" Teddy adds playfully.

Callie wraps her arms around her shoulder "you literally just fated yourself to daughters...plural... and you know what two Nomikos sisters can be like, let alone more, Theodora. I fear your fate is sealed my little menace" she teases.

Teddy looks a little scared at the thought. "Can I take it back and ask the gods for three sons after Wren"

"No" Callie whispers teasingly.

Allie shakes her head "I will take whatever we can get because if we get more little Wrens... male, female, non binary... literally any little soul that wants to join us. This Gaga will be tripping over herself to get her hands on them"

"And me" I add.

Allie looks to me, her hand reaching up to caress my cheek, pausing momentarily to tease the ends of my newly cut hair. For the first time in my life I had chopped my hair above my shoulders. "I'm still getting used to this" she says reaching back for it and threading the golden brown strands between her fingers.

"Me too" Callie observes running her hands through it on the opposite side "I've never seen Willa with shorter hair"

Teddy observes them amused, and laughs "you two look high on psychedelics, stroking her like that" she teases.

Callie let's my hair go and nudges Teddy as she pushes her through the front door ahead of her. 

Allie curls around me, blocking my entry to the front door "I think it looks... quite sexy actually" she whispers.

I raise an eyebrow as she wraps her arms around me and leans her chin against my chest, eyeing me lovingly from below "oh really" I ask amused.

She runs her finger down the side of my neck, where my hair ends, below my ears "your neck is constantly on display now, and I'm not sure why, but it makes me want to kiss it every time you walk by" she confesses as her eyes wonder, from the nape of it upward "Necks are underrated on women. There's nothing like a bare neck" she says to herself.

"Mama" Harper begins, appearing in the doorway "it's like midnight and you guys are letting all the cold ocean air in whilst you canoodle on the doorstep... come in" she reprimands.

Allie laughs as she turns away from me and let's me go from her embrace "Hey... I gave birth to you remember which means I parent you, not the other way round" she counters playfully.

Harper cocks an eyebrow "says the woman behaving like a teenager on a doorstep beyond curfew" And she disappears indoors.

Allie shakes her head and looks to me "I clearly parented her a little too well" she says reaching for my hand "let's go to bed... Before she comes back and grounds us" she says pulling me through the door as I drag our luggage behind me.

***

Harper disappears to tell her Mama to come in, a cold breeze was coming down the hall way from the front door, finding our room which was first on the left of a corridor of white doors. It slipped under it like an ominous fog to the base of Wrens crib. I look down at Wren in the travel crib, it was getting a little snug, as her legs grew longer, she was sixteen months and now she was walking she was already losing some of her baby chub.

I couldn't bear it, our baby was becoming a little lady, a very determined and stubborn one, with a smile that lit up a room and a cheeky chuckle to match. They say children end up with a mix of their parents personalities. I wondered what the hell Wren would take from me and Harper, I hoped more from her Mama because even I could admit, as a Nomikos I could be a little overly confident, sometimes too cheeky and most definitely as a teenager I broke every rule my momma had for me. I had wanted to be independent from the moment I came out of the womb, and scarily Wren appeared to be of similar ilk. I had no idea at this moment in time, that O, our second born would be much, much, closer to the Nomikos blue print, and in-fact she would tear it up and create a wilder one. Olympia would one day make us all look quite tame, luckily the gods took pity on us by the time we got to baby number three, and Harpers genes would out, thankfully.

Harper appears in the doorway and shuts it quietly behind herself before slipping onto my lap and looking down at Wren. "She's lovely when she's like this" she remarks.

I smile "you mean when she's not screaming like a banshee on a plane, for another animal cracker that we just didn't have"

"Yes... that was... not her best moment" Harper admits "nor mine. I feel bad I didn't have much patience with her"

"Harper" I say pulling her against me lovingly "You worked all day today and then got a flight with a baby, a baby who was cranky with a molar coming in, give yourself a break. You did just fine and I didn't mind walking her up and down. I had steps to get in" I say kissing her cheek.

She leans into me, resting her head against mine.

"You are the best mama I know" I whisper.

Her lips turn and she smiles against mine "I love you" she whispers back, pecking me softly "you are like my own personal motivational therapist"

"You should pay me more" I suggest playfully.

She lets out a sigh "if I wasn't beyond exhausted I would pay you with my body... but I can just about crawl over these sheets to place my head on that pillow" she says gesturing across the bed.

"I am quite happy to snuggle you to sleep" I confess and I kiss her cheek and tap her butt "up you get"

She stands as I bend down and unzip our case, finding the jammies on top and handing her hers with the toiletry bag. "Go use the bathroom first I can go after you"

She softly brushes her hand down my forearm as she passes me. "Be right back" she promises as she disappears.

I open our door and peek out into the hall. I can hear a low hum of a TV and follow it down the hallway to a foyer with another two hallways coming off of it. One way leads to the kitchen, and the opposite looks to be a large family room, with a huge, u shaped couch, that could easily house twenty or so adults. There is a giant TV on the wall above a stone built fireplace, it was very cape cod in decor, lots of white and light blues with nautical themes. There was a wooden built sailing boat on the mantle and a lighthouse ornament centre of the window sill. The TV isn't on but there is a light flickering, from another, in the room adjacent.

I walk in quietly, and I find Luke, quite engrossed in a soccer match. "Hi" I greet, and he turns and smiles.

Luke is in his early forties, he has aged well, as men tend to do, his light brown hair is cut short, shaved to the sides and he has a nice well maintained brown beard with a little grey coming through it in places, not enough to age him, just enough to make him appear more mature. For some women, I knew that was actually an attractive feature, a man with a little grey hair, if they suited it at-least, and Luke did, he was a silver fox. "My god Teddy you grew up" he says affectionately standing up

Luke looked casual, he had his green flannel shirt rolled up on his forearms, the sleeves falling back down his arms as he walked over to pull me into a hug. He stood above me, at six feet or so, his pale blue eyes crease up at the sides as he releases me, deep creases that tell me Luke loved to smile, and he offered his generously.

I remembered Luke. I may have only been eleven or so when they split up and went separate ways, but I did remember I liked him. He took me to Basketball games, with Calliope, and he always, always made her laugh until she cried. I loved to see it. Calliope never laughed like that again, not with anyone else she dated, Luke to her was the one that got away. The nights after, I can still remember the cries from her room, the sobbing into her pillow that she didn't think anyone else heard, but I did. I knew too well she blamed herself, Callie and Luke had split because he had to return to Wisconsin when his daddy died, they had a dairy farm he had to help his brothers with. Luke of course asked Calliope to go with him, but it was so far from the family and the restaurant here in Oregon. Callie didn't think she could leave, she helped momma and Babba a lot with it back then, they couldn't afford to pay anyone else outside of the family in her place. She did always plan to go and be with him, as soon as she could, but time moves quickly and Callie lost her grip on it. Luke met someone, and Callie being Callie never did tell him she was waiting for him. Luke married and settled down, one day returning to Oregon where he had attended his college years with Cal. He started a new, they were a few hours south from Callie at least, because I bet if she had known he was near and had to witness what she had missed out on it would have damn near killed her back then. So now that Luke was back here with us, back with Callie and having a baby together, I wasn't terrified of how fast this had all gone. Callie and Luke always fit, and I had heard from Demi and Thea that he was just as wonderful, and if they thought it, than it must be true, because Dem and Thea were the firing squad. You had to pass them, to get to any of us. If Luke didn't get annihilated on his first Sunday dinner, four months ago, he must be a keeper.

"Luke ..." I sigh "You look great" I gesture to his neatly trimmed chin "the beard suits you"

He smoothes his hand over it jovially, sticking out his chin "Cal likes it, so that's something" he begins "and Demi says I'm more of a six and a half with it"

I fight the urge to roll my eyes "I can only apologise for Demi"

He laughs "Teddy I spent three years around Demitra. I met her when she was seventeen, and she is half as savage as she was then" he says with a deep chuckle.

I shake my head "I can't imagine that's true Luke but if you say so" I add taking the seat beside the one he had been sat in "what are we watching" I ask.

He smiles, appreciative of the company and sits down, his long legs spreading out in front of him. "Soccer... my team are playing from home" he says looking back to the screen, and becoming engrossed within seconds.

I turn back to him, and he looks sideways to me as I cock an eyebrow "what" he asks nervously.

I narrow my eyes slightly "I feel like I should be giving you a lecture on impregnating my sister... in less than a month"

He frowns "ah... yes. Thea already gave me a long lecture, and Demi sent me a pack of condoms in the mail, with a note saying, don't you know about these, five"

"She's not still calling you five is she" I ask shaking my head "so rude"

I throw out some fast Greek.

Luke widens his eyes at me, not understanding a word "No I've gone from being five, to becoming, six point five. Tony says 'Luke' each time Demi says it, and it's like a form of conditioning at this point ,because she's finally upgraded me to Luke full time. I mean it's taken five months... I consider that a win"

"That's actually pretty fast work for Demitra... she's the brick wall that surrounds us. If you become an, actual someone, with a name to Demi, then you have the key to the city" I say playfully.

"Then I consider myself blessed, and within city limits" he says pleased, looking back to the screen.

"I'm happy you're back Luke..." I offer.

He looks to me affectionately "thanks Teddy" he returns "truly I am"

I stand and lean down and kiss his cheek "look after her though or I will hunt you down and bury you somewhere so remote, they won't ever find you" I say teasingly.

He widen his eyes "that's exactly what Thea said... only she was a lot more intense"

"She's got a few years on me, that's a lot more female rage..." And I wave and laugh and turn to walk out.

"Wait... Teddy" Luke calls.

I turn around as he gestures me over, placing one finger to his lips, he leans sideways and rifles inside his pocket taking out a little red box and showing it to me.

My mouth drops open, and I move quickly back to his side, sinking down into the chair "is that" I ask.

He nods "I'm going to ask Cal to marry me..." he says softly.

I shake my head as tears form behind my eyes "Luke" I say emotionally"When" I ask.

He opens up the box to show me. I inspect the ring with a gasp, a beautiful gold band with a large clear cut stone, something I knew Callie would love. "Tomorrow night on the beach. I've planned a dinner for everyone out there, lots of white, lots of turquoise, the colours she loves, and candles, and of course the entire family which I know she will appreciate. Teddy, Calliope is the one for me, she always has been and she always will be and now Apollo is on the way. I want to be her husband and for her to know it's forever this time, no doubts in my mind"

I hand the ring back and try and hold back the wave of emotion that pours from my eyes, giving me away entirely, relief, happiness, joy, excitement, but mostly that Callie was about to have her dreams made a reality. My big sister was getting her forever.

"I'm so sorry" I beg through sobs "I don't mean to cry" I say flapping my hands in front of my eyes as if that would dry them as they fell away "I'm just so happy"

Luke has a tear roll down his cheek too, that he wipes away with his large hand. "Do you approve" he asks.

I nod repeatedly "yes yes of course" I return, and he smiles his charming wide smile and puts the box back in his pocket "did you tell Momma" I ask wiping my tears with my arm.

"Yes I asked her permission first, she hugged me so tightly I thought I might die, whilst talking so fast in Greek I couldn't make out what she was saying, but she was thrilled"

"I expect knowing her, she thanked god for you, for saving her eldest from being a spinster. She's been worried about Calliopes eggs, scrambling, for far far too long... but looks like she didn't have to worry about that... they are quite juicy for forty" I say winking and I stand up as he does and I hug him again "can't wait for tomorrow... adelfós"

***
When I make it back to the room, Harper is quite asleep. I smile and walk over, bending to kiss her forehead, before grabbing my t shirt and shorts and heading to the bathroom to freshen up. Once I've slipped into my pyjamas and brushed my teeth, I return to the bedroom and close the door, slipping in behind Harper and resting my hand around her waist, before snuggling down on the pillow. I can't help smiling as I close my eyes. This would be a trip to remember. I lift my fingers up and caress the platinum band at my neck. All of the Nomikos siblings were about to be married, and nobody even knew it. God willing, they wouldn't figure it out, because a marriage with no wedding ceremony would be considered the greatest sin to the Nomikos, a sacrilege. If they never knew, and then attended our future wedding, thinking it was the first, I would be quite content.  I had forgotten though, how freaking observant they were. I was about to get it...and get it good.

***

"Well if it isn't the youngest ..." Demitra observes as I walk into the kitchen with Wren on my hip. Wrens bear Walter is dangling from her tight grip. Her strawberry blonde hair is all disheveled from a restless sleep in the travel crib, and the yellow jammies with bunnies on that she's wearing, are riding halfway up one leg, as she did a little yawn.

"Kalimera" I greet, as I use my spare hand to flick the coffee pot on.

Demi rounds the counter and kisses my cheeks and then Wrens. "s'agapó" she says affectionately.

"kego s' agapo adelfí" I return with a kiss to her cheek

"Alexi" I acknowledge bending down as he collided with my thigh, his little arms tightly wound around me. "anipsiós" I say softly smiling at his cheeky grin and his large Green eyes "what do you have there" I ask pointing at the dinosaur figurine in his hands.

"Brachiosaurus" he replies animatedly, as he roars at Wren and I.

Wren let's out a laugh that makes Demi and I look to each other and smile "Wrennie this is a Brachio" Alexi says handing it to her, she drops Walter and takes it to inspect.

Demi bends down beside me and runs her hand lovingly down the back of Wrens hair "Her hair is getting long" she admires.

I nod as I place Wren down, feet first, she stands beside Alexi whilst he shows her another dinosaur he had in his jammies pocket. Her little expression remains amused, as she enjoys his attentions on her, and the gifting of new toys for her to look over.

"She is getting far too grown up Dem" I return and I walk back over to the coffee machine and pour out a cup, letting the aromas waft under my nose.

The sigh is loud as I slump against the counter and fold one arm across my chest.

"long night" Demi asks imitating my position opposite me.

"Yes, Wren didn't sleep too good in the travel crib, and Harper was so exhausted she didn't even hear her. So I was up every hour resettling her"

Demi smiles as she lifts her hot water and honey to her lips "I honestly still have to pinch myself that you are a Mom Theodora... a mom" she says shaking her head "I just love it for you, and you are so natural at it... who knew" she quips.

I gulp down my first hit of coffee.

"And how is little peanut" I say reaching over and poking her bare belly gently. It was a slightly more obvious bump already, on Demis small frame, second pregnancy's always showing much quicker the second time round.

"He or she is doing good... we are keeping it a surprise" she says rubbing the bare flesh of her belly that had poked out from beneath her bed clothes. "Tony thinks it's another boy"

I back back up to the counter, my eyes on Wren and Alexi again, who sit together on the tiled floor playing, Alexi being quite patient for a three year old ,as Wren slams his dinosaur into the floor repeatedly.

"What do you think... boy or girl" I ask.

She rolls her eyes up in thought "most definitely a girl" she says looking back to me with eyebrows raised.

"How do you know" I ask.

She sips her drink, holding it in her throat briefly, letting the honey do it's thing before she swallowed it down "because this time I'm absolutely raging Teddy... RAGING" she returns dramatically.

I grimace "Oh god are you" I ask and I literally want to hide, because I remembered teenage Demi, and she was not pleasant.

"Yes and I swear it's a daughter, it can only be a little Nomikos girl on the way, if I'm like this. She is already taking over my entire body... and every time I look in the mirror, I feel less and less beautiful, like she's sucking it out of me for herself. Isn't that what they say? Girls steal their mothers beauty, and boys make you more beautiful"

I shake my head "I have no idea, but you still look very beautiful Demitra... a tad dramatic but very pretty"

Thea appears in my peripheral, sauntering over with Matthias on her hip as I take a bottle and fill it with milk "is Demitra claiming Clio is sucking the very life force from her" she quips.

Demi throws a cloth at her from the kitchen counter that ends up covering Matthias head. He reaches up and pulls it down, his big brown eyes observing us all, his curly dark locks that sprung out around his little chubby face making him quite the cutie. He wasn't far off a year old, and very much like Harry, with the curly dark hair and brown eyes.

"Yes" I answer.

Thea walks between us and picks up another bottle, adding milk and placing it beside Wrens, in the boiling pan of water.

"Look at us" she observes as she places Matthias down beside Alexi and Wren "having a mothers meeting in the kitchen, whilst we heat our babies bottles. My my how things have changed" she says standing back up and pouring a coffee.

"So" I ask.

Thea looks to me "are you still in the barren lands with Harry or can we expect another bun in the oven" I ask teasingly.

She shakes her head as she sips her coffee. "Once, in the pantry when I came home from yoga ... apparently I looked hot. I needed the man handling though, I was starting to feel way too at home in my pyjamas and sweats"

"That's it" Demi asks "once..." and she places down her cup and hands Alexi a granola bar as he comes and tugs on her top.

Wren toddles over after him and I reach down and pick her up, grabbing the milk and checking the temp quickly on my wrist, the white liquid drips down my arm and I hand it to her "there you go" I offer affectionately "gála" I offer and she takes it and throws it straight into her mouth.

"Yes, once Demitra" Thea returns picking up Matthias and sitting at the table beside us. She lies Matthias back, as she offers him his bottle. "Not all of us are horn devils like you" she returns.

"Tony and I are well matched...that's all. We both like it and want it...although I must admit I'm going off of it now I'm getting bigger"

I sit down beside Thea, with Wren on my lap, and Demitra points my way "what about you" she asks "things still..,rampant" she asks as her and Thea laugh out loud.

"What are we discussing" Momma asks as she comes in from outside.

We look to each other coyly "nothing" I return.

She looks at us suspiciously "hmm I don't believe you, but I probably don't want to know"

"You don't" Thea teases. "Because boy, I can only try not to imagine what's happening over there" she says, gesturing to me.

Momma looks to her curiously "Thea" she says matter of factly "no" she says as if she knows she is teasing me. "Leave your neóteri adelfí be"

"Willa and Luke are running along the beach together. Where do people get their morning drive" momma asks sitting down among us.

Thea shakes her head "I'm still having flashbacks to running with Theodora in Greece... it was just... brutal... and the running up that hill" she says letting out a whoosh of theatrical air "I don't see how people enjoy it" she adds.

I shake my head at her disbelievingly "Thea you are ... I swear... I think you got concussion when you threw us both off of the side of the road that day, because you've forgotten an entire version of this tale. I quite literally lugged you back up that hill on my back..."

"Potato... patato" she says with a dismissive wave of her hand.

"More like liar liar pants on fire" I return, and she glares at me.

"Well I witnessed the state of you both when you came back up ...and Thea... quit with the fairy tales, we all know you can't run for shit.
Teddy had you on her back when she reached the top of the damned hill"

"Hah" I shout "exactly... there were witnesses"

Thea picks Matthias up and pats his back a little as he burps, and reaches for cutlery on the table with his chubby hands.

Wrens bottle slips from her lips and I look down at her, she looks up at me with a beaming smile, she had liked my loud and victorious shout.

"Hah" she repeats back to me.

I take the empty bottle as she sits up, and momma reaches for her "engoní" she says taking her "oh you are so grown up" she says looking at her lovingly.

Wren takes one of my Mommas dark curls and tugs it slightly.

"Yia Yia" I remind Wren.

"Yia Yia" Momma repeats.

Wren attempts to say it but instead says "lala" which is 'Willa' in Wren speak.

"So" Demi whispers as she leans forward "we all know do we" she asks waving her hand around us and winking theatrically.

We all look to her, eyebrows raised "know what" Thea asks.

I lean forward "Luke" i ask.

Demi smiles widely, as we all nod and lean forward like witches around a cauldron.

Momma places Wren down to toddle over to Alexi, and his dinosaurs beside us, and I keep an eye on her.

"Ay ay ay" Momma replies "you all know this too" she asks and we all nod "I thought this was going to be a surprise" she asks.

Demi frowns and rolls her eyes "it's not as if we told Calliope. Momma...I didn't cc her into a group chat"

"There was a group chat" momma curses and she starts speaking quickly in Greek. "You girls never include me in these group chats..."

"Momma there is no group chat" i state "I literally only found out last night... how long have you known" I ask Demi.

"A few weeks... he needed my help with the ring" she replies.

I shake my head "I am beyond stunned that you didn't spill that little gem. I'm guessing you didn't tell Thea, because otherwise we would all know by now"

"That hurts" Thea retorts as she places Matthias down, and he crawls away at speed.

Demitra shakes her head "I can keep a secret" she says as if it's fact, which is was not "and Thea only found out last night too"

"Okay so we all know" Momma asks.

I shake my head "I haven't told Harper yet, she's still asleep. I'm pretty sure Luke will have told Willa whilst they are running..."

"A Nomikos wedding" Momma squeals happily "honestly girls these are the moments I live for... seeing my beautiful babies get married... make babies... ay ay ay" she says and she leans forward and squeezes all of our cheeks affectionately.

I shrink down almost automatically into my chair, and wrinkle my nose at the thought. If Momma found out I was married.... Dear god I was dead. Demitra notes my body language, and furrows her brow as her eyes narrow at me.

I pop out of my chair and pick Wren up, quickly making my exit before she could look anymore into it.

"Shorty like a melody in my head" I sing to Wren, her favourite. I whirl her around as we dance out of the room. Her laughter echoes through the large room, as we dance as far away from Demitra as possible. Once Demitra smelt the whiff of blood, she was like a shark, and I didn't fancy being mauled by my, raging, and hormonal sister, not on my mommas birthday weekend.

***

When I wake up it feels like I've been asleep for a decade, my entire body is so relaxed. I stretch and yawn. I feel a little disorientated as I look around the room before remembering where we were. I peek over the side of Wrens cot and then glide my hand over the sheets Teddy had vacated. "What time is it" I ask myself and I reach over for my phone "eleven" I almost choke.

I stand up quickly and stumble about looking for clothes. The house was far too quiet for the Nomikos, worryingly so. I quickly grab a pair of denim cut off overalls and a red and white striped t shirt and I throw them on. I run my fingers through my straight auburn hair, trying to tease it into a state of order, as I walk out into the hallway.

I pass Tony and smile "morning" I greet.

He smiles back "morning sleepy head" he observes "they are all outside on the beach" he adds, before carrying on up the hall in his dark shades and black snap back.

Tony is not Greek, but he could pass, with his gelled back dark hair, Mediterranean skin tone, and big brown eyes. He was very handsome, and he and Demitra, they made an attractive twosome.

I was mortified as I walked through the empty house at how late I was getting up. I hadn't even heard Teddy and Wren leave the room, or get dressed. Clearly I needed it, my work life, mama life, and love life, took a lot of energy recently.

I grab a bottle of water from the kitchen side and a banana, slipping on my sliders as I step out onto the decking at the back of the house. I spot our motley crew, the sound of them reaching my ears before I spotted them.

I smile as I take in the scene before me. Teddy and Harry both have Wren and Alexi in their arms as they play a very fun game of frisbee. The kids are laughing in their arms, as they lift them to catch it. Wrens giggles make me laugh. Teddy has put her in her little pink snapback, her hair in a little pony tail sticking out the back of it. She is wearing a white t shirt, her roll up jeans, and the cutest little pair of white and pink chucks that you have ever seen. I didn't even bother to buy Wren her shoes now. Teddy had an entire shelf filled with sneakers and adorable footwear for her already, beside hers, in my wardrobe. My footwear looked quite pitiful beneath them.

Teddy looks gorgeous, her hair pulled up out of the way, shades on, a pair of short blue denim shorts and a cropped white t shirt that rippled at the base, as the ocean wind hit her. It drew my eyes to her revealed flesh there, god she looked good.

Mama was sat in the sand playing with Matthias, and Willa was beside her, with Mary and Erica, Demi, Thea and Maria, enjoying the sun loungers. They were sunning themselves beside a picnic blanket, and watching Teddy and Harry's game of frisbee with the kids.

"You coming" Callie asks coming up beside me with Luke.

I turn and wrap my arms around her "Hi Cal" I acknowledge affectionately "how's the babe" I ask.

She looks to me with a teasing smile as we part "this one" she says pointing to Luke beside her "or this one" she saying stroking her belly.

"Hi Luke, it's so nice to finally meet you" I say  taking his hand and shaking it "you are so tall" I observe.

He smiles, a most kind and charming smile "nice to meet you too Harper... I've heard only good things" he offers.

I nod "and me about you too" I return.

Callie takes my arm "both babes are well" she replies "it's a boy" she announces, and I can't help the squeal "Apollo" she adds.

I swoon over the name choice "oh I love that" as we walk down across the sand to the deafening sounds of the family.

Teddy turns as she spots us and she points to me. Wren follows her pointing "Mama" she calls loudly.

I sigh as they both wave, my family, the loves of my life. They were a sight I would never tire of, our little girl in Teddy's arms and the look of complete love that is on Teddy face... enough to make your heart swell on sight of it.

My wife.

***
We had spent the day on the beach, a blissful time playing with the kids, building sand castles, catching up with everyone and enjoying being in the melting pot of Jameson/Nomikos. The blended family, that we were all a part of.

As dinner got closer and we all retired to the house, it was clear Teddy was chomping at the bit to tell me something. As soon as we got behind our closed bedroom door, she practically collapsed onto the bed and let it all out like a continuous stream of verbal diarrhoea.

"Luke is proposing to Callie tonight and it's all happening on the beach as we sit down to dinner, so we need to make sure we dress appropriately for the photos. Oh my god, I've kept that in all day and night and it's killed me. By the way, you know what your overalls do to me, so thanks for wearing them all day. I'm absolutely frazzled" she says finally taking a breath.

Wren walks around the bed, carrying a random pair of shoes, and creating a pile of them.  

I shake my head and jump down on top of Teddy, my auburn hair spilling over her "Luke's proposing" I ask.

Teddy nods enthusiastically "tonight" she repeats.

I lean down and kiss her lips, her hands circle my back and pull me down closer as the kiss deepens.

I gently pull back "The last Nomikos to tie the knot" I tease against her lips.

Teddy holds her hand over my mouth "Don't even whisper it" she says quietly "Demitra has been looking at me suspiciously all day, like she knows I am hiding something... and she has the hearing of a bat"

"Sorry" I whisper back, kissing her again.

I feel the tug of Wrens fingers against my leg, wanting to be lifted up "mama" she says frustratedly.

I sit up and pull her up as she crawls over Teddy and collapses on her " Threes a crowd Wren" I say jovially "honestly ... she's my wife ... not just your mommy" I state.

Teddy glares at me, for mentioning the forbidden word.

"Oops" I apologise, and I pretend to zip my lips "it's back in the vault I swear"

She shakes her head as she runs her hands down the back of Wrens head, lovingly, on her waist "don't even joke Harper... it would be a blood bath"

***
Teddy and I both wear white. I have a white, floaty linen dress on, and she is wearing white fitted trousers with a white vest, and against her skin tone, she looks positively radiant, like she could easily be at a wedding, herself, her dark curls sitting naturally below her shoulders.

Wren is in a pale lilac dress with gladiator sandals on, that matched mine. The knock at the door makes me jump.

"It's time" Mama says excitedly peeking round our door. She reaches out and takes Wren.

Teddy and I follow behind, her hand taking mine, "you look beautiful" she whispers as she kisses my cheek.

I squeeze her hand "you look like this could be our wedding, and you are about to meet me at the end of an aisle"

She laughs "one day" she says with a wink as we step outside, almost gasping at the beauty up ahead. There are tiki torches lit around the large oval table, which is set beautifully for us, all with luxurious place settings and flowers a plenty, the serviettes are turquoise, the table cloth is crisp white and it's so... very... Callie. She would love this.

Alexi is being chased back to the table by Tony, and Demitra and Thea are at the table getting the last things in place, as we all arrive and take our seats.

***
Momma comes out last, she looks beautiful, her black dress is pretty, a beautiful white lace shawl over her shoulders, her dark curls are bouncing as she walks and she arrives at the table with the most glorious smile "they are coming" she squeals.

We all look to the house apprehensively, as Calliope and Luke step out.

"She looks heavenly" Harper acknowledges as Callie looks to Luke confused, and they converse.

He makes her laugh with whatever he says in explanation.

Calliope is wearing a turquoise dress, her glossy dark curls  bounce around, her bump is more evident in the tightness of the material against her stomach. Luke looks handsome in a a white linen shirt, and tan chinos, a pair of slip on shoes to match.

"They could literally just get married now" Mary whispers and my sisters and momma shake their heads and do the sign of the cross.

"No no no, we need a church, and months to organise it... we don't do quick Mary" Maria announces. "We do big and we do bold and we do Greek... we have a whole family to invite and ..." but before she can finish Calliope and Luke appear beside us.

"You all look so gorgeous down here,  is someone getting married" Callie asks.

We all raise our eyebrows, as Luke takes her hand, and she looks to him a little surprised "come with me honey" he says guiding her around to the side of the table that is nearest to the ocean. There are candles lit in the sand, petals guiding their way, and as Callie sees them it's like she suddenly realises and her hand whips up and she covers her mouth. Luke drops down, his knee sinking into the sand as we all look on, tears in our eyes at Callie stood with the backdrop of the Ocean.

My Momma places a picture of our father down in the empty spot beside her, and that sends the tears in my eyes straight down my cheeks.

Harper notices my tears and wipes them away as she wraps her arm around me and leans in, our eyes all firmly on Calliope.

Luke looks up to her so lovingly, and it's almost as if it's slow motion as the red box is raised up in his fingers and he flicks it open in his large palm "Calliope Nomikos... would you do me the great honour... of becoming my wife" he asks.

She drops down, her knees sinking into the sand in front of him and nods "yes" she answers eagerly as he leans forward and captures her lips, his hands softly cupping her cheeks.

The quiet around the table vanishes the instant she says "yes" and instead, becomes a chorus of excitement, and congratulations. My momma is up first, bringing Callie and Luke into a deadly hug that took their breath away with lots of kissing of cheeks.

My sisters and I all grab them at once, a group hug nobody wanted to end "love you Cal" I whisper.

She hugs us a little tighter "I'm amazed Thea didn't give this away... or any of you for that matter" she says as we part. She looks at us all disbelieving, that we had managed to keep a secret.

"I'm surprised at Demitra, she knew a lot longer" I reveal.

Demi nods "two fucking weeks I've kept that inside. I am beyond gassy now, literally the secret has torn me up inside. I'm not built to keep them" she confesses dramatically.

We laugh "oh we know" I add teasingly.

Demitra returns her gaze to me, a flicker of something in her eyes "you though Teddy... you're pretty good at secrets aren't you" she accuses.

Thea and Callie look to me "what is she talking about" Callie asks.

I shake my head and feign innocence "no idea as usual" I reply quickly "anyway... congrats Cal... I can't wait for the wedding"

***
The evening is loud, fun filled and with a lot of love thrown about, it is wonderful to see Mary and Erica again. Mary is on her second glass of wine, as she leans in beside me and gazes down "Teddy" she asks a little drunkenly.

I look back from laughing with Willa about something "yeah" I ask casually.

"Is that new" she asks, running her hand under my neck and pulling lightly at the chain. She lifts it up delicately in her hands, and looks to it, her blue eyes taking it in as my eyes widen, realising what she's observed. I snatch it back and put it back under my vest.

I look opposite me to Demitra whose glare is now a little more intense and I lean down to Mary and whisper "please don't mention the ring...not to anybody"

She looks at me, becoming wide eyed, as if it registers suddenly, and she takes my hand and smiles, leaning back in and whispering back "welcome to the family... I won't say a word"

She kisses my cheek and pretends to zip her lips, but I can't help but see Demitra opposite still observing us, so much so I'm getting goosebumps because it's going to take one little push and she's going to go off.

I could feel the energy shift as the rest of the table busily chatted and laughed.

Harper was the other side of me, with Wren asleep on her lap, in a deep discussion with Erica about work and her kids at school.

I avoid eye contact trying not to get sucked into Demis narrowing eyes, and the way she was unpicking my secret, one stitch of thought at a time.

"Harper" Demi calls across the table.

Harper looks up, stopping mid sentence in her conversation with Erica. "Could you pass me the bread" Demi asks smiling.

I look to her unsure of where this was going, because she had a basket of damn bread beside her, not that Harper noticed. She leant across the table, hand outstretched toward Demi, the necklace falling from behind her dress with the way she had to lean in, the ring flying down the dainty chain.

I know then, Demis reasoning, and I shake my head, she figured it out.

Demis eyes widen and her hand goes flying over her mouth "no" she states angrily and she stands, hands firmly placed down on the table.

"Theodora" she accuses, shocked. Her nostrils flare as she points to the necklace on my neck.

"It's not what you think" I beg holding it hidden in my hand.

"It better not be" she adds sternly and then she narrows her eyes at me as everyone turns to look between us.

"What's wrong" Harper asks.

Willa stands up "What is occurring"she adds.

Demi is focused solely on me. "Tell me Theodora ... what is it that you think, I think it is" she asks eyebrow cocked.

Thea backs up her chair and walks over to Demi's side, opposite me "what is it" she asks, and Demi still has her eyebrow cocked at me, daring me to answer.

"Nothing" i state innocently.

Thea frowns and pokes Demi in the side "stop causing a scene at Callies engagement" she begs.

Demi looks down to Callie and Luke, who like everyone else, are staring at us both. "I'm sorry" she says.

Demi sits back down for a second, and I feel relieved, but it's only a moment, before she shoots back up from the table, and runs around the side toward me.

I have never moved so fast in my life, leaping out of my seat and around the opposite end, and now she's on my side and I'm on hers and we are both a little out of breath "girls what are you doing" Momma says getting frustrated and standing up.

"It's Theodora" Demi accuses pointing at me "oh Momma she's done something awful" she reveals.

Allie and Willa look to each other and Willa stands up too holding out her hands to calm the situation down "we are all lost... what is this about" she asks.

Allie looks to Harper, to see if she knows. Harper sinks down in her seat.

Allie looks to her curiously "is there something we need to know" she asks her.

Harper wrinkles up her nose.

Demi lunges for me over the table, and I jump backward, as she moves around the table again "Thea, please grab her" Demi asks urgently.

I look to Thea beside me and squeal as her hands reach for me "don't get involved Thea" I beg.

She looks to Demi, who nods for her to continue "we are involved Teddy... this entire family is involved because you" she says pointing at me accusingly "and you" she says pointing at Harper, who squeaks a little at the intensity of accusation "got married didn't you" she accuses.

The entire table gasps "no no no" Momma says shaking her head "Theodora would not do that to me" she says.

Allie agrees "I don't think Harper would either" she says, but she looks to Harper and sees the truth and reaches across the table for her hand "Harper" she asks her.

Thea grabs my arm firmly and Demi races around as I'm held captive, but I loosen Thea's grip and take off running across the beach with them in my wake.

It's only a moment, before I get tackled down into the sand, and then rolled over to find Willa sat on top of me, shaking her head disapprovingly "Kid... you have some explaining to do..."