Mitch, Abbey, Jamie, and Hope came in. “Hey, you guys. Thanks for having us,” Abbey said before hugging Nick.

“Of course. We’re glad you could come.”

Hope hugged him next. “Happy birthday.”

“Thank you.”

Nick shook Mitch’s, then Jamie’s, hands, who both wished him a happy birthday. They all grabbed drinks before there was another knock.

“Come in!” Bryce called again, leaning against the counter in the kitchen.

The door opened, and Georgina and William came in. Nervous, Nick pushed off the counter and walked over to them. Bryce was right behind him. “Thank you for coming.”

Nick hugged Georgina, who squeezed him as tightly as his own mom used to. “Happy birthday, Nick. We’re so honored to be a part of your day.”

Her words made his heart both ache and soar at the same time. They accepted him and Bryce, and while that meant so fucking much to him, it made him miss his own family even more.

“We’re honored to have you here.”

He shook William’s hand, and then they realized there definitely wasn’t enough room in the house for the whole Tanner family plus Nick and Christi. They made their way into the backyard.

Bryce put on some music and got everyone drinks. Nick watched Christi and Bryce tease everyone. Watched Jamie give them shit every once in a while as well, while Mitch shook his head like his family was crazy. Hope and Abbey spent a lot of time chatting with Georgina and Christi. Bryce started the grill a little while later, adding the meat when the charcoal was ready. At least Bryce didn’t cook on propane. The chef in him would go crazy at that. If Nick grilled, he did it right. What was the point without the smoky, charcoal taste?

There were a lot of laughs, conversation...and love.

These were wonderful people. He felt lucky to be a part of them.

Nick turned and went into the kitchen. He checked on the beans Hope brought over in the slow cooker. When the door opened, he expected it to be Bryce, but he turned to see Georgina.

“They smell good,” she said.

“They do,” Nick replied.

She walked over and stood beside him. “I didn’t see it at first... Bryce is good at looking happy. Maybe he always thought he was, but when I see him now, the way he walks, talks, smiles, and looks at you...he wasn’t happy before. He is now. You gave my son something no one else could. I thought you should know that.”

“Thank you.” Nick reached out and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “He gives me the same thing. I don’t know what I would do without him.” He had to remind himself it wasn’t his or Bryce’s fault if his family couldn’t see that.

“What are you guys doing in here?” Bryce walked inside.

“Talking about how big a handful you are. Now, excuse me. I need to go get something from the car.” Georgina walked out the front door just as Bryce’s arms slid around Nick’s shoulders. Nick wrapped his arm around Bryce’s waist.

“Thank you,” Nick said.

“Nothing to thank me for. Are you okay?”

He nodded. “It hurts. I miss them, but I’m okay.” Maybe he should have tried. Maybe he should have invited them.

“They love you, Nick. They’ll come around.”

Nick should have invited his sisters, at least. Maybe that would have helped. But he’d tried Karrie once and hadn’t gotten ahold of her, and he hadn’t tried again.

Bryce pulled him close, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. As he did, the front door opened again and Georgina said, “There’s someone here for you, Nick.”

He turned to the door to see his mom walk in...followed by Karrie, her husband and their kids, then Erin, her husband and their kids. He looked, waiting for Michelle, but Erin closed the door.

“I’m sorry we’re late,” Karrie said. “Happy birthday, Nick-o.”

Nick couldn’t think. Couldn’t move. Couldn’t fucking breathe. Bryce had done this. He knew it. He needed to say something, yet nothing would come out. Bryce had done this for him, and they’d come.

“Here, let me take your things.” Bryce moved toward them. “Thanks for coming. And we’re really kick-back, so the timing is just fine.”

Move! Nick told himself, then he finally did. He walked into the living room where Bryce stood with his family.

“Aren’t you going to introduce us?” Karrie asked.

“Oh, yeah.” Nick shook his head. He was fucking losing it. “This is Bryce. Bryce, this is my oldest sister, Karrie, and her husband Eric. Behind her is Erin and Dave. You’ve met my mom, and all these little rugrats are—”