"I wanna go play" Sky whined to me and Carter. Everyone was supposed to be coming back this weekend and it's going to be just how it was last year. I don't know how I'm going to be in the same vicinity as Will without almost bursting into tears, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there.

"I'll go with her, you play with Bandit," Carter said and took her to the playground.

There was hardly anyone here due to the cold and little snow we had. It was warmer than it has been.

I stayed in the open field and played with the frisbee. It reminded me of when Will and I used to play with Bandit out here together. I could almost feel his arms around me and his chin resting on my head.

I was quite literally knocked out of my trance. I turned around with anger taking over my body. "What the hell...o" I said as I saw a little child behind me. I looked around and I didn't see a parent or adult.

He looked to be around six years old.

"Sorry" he said shyly.

"Hey buddy. Where's your mommy?" I bent down to his level. Bandit came and sat right next to me. He waited for me to throw the frisbee again.

He shrugged. "I tink she's at work."

"Dad?" I asked.

He shook his head.

"Older brother? Sister?"

He shook his head again.

"Grandma or grandpa?"

He shook his head again.

"Aunt or uncle?" I asked grasping as straws.

He nodded. "Uncle Bry left with his friend. I don't know where" the little boy shrugged. "He said he would be back soon."

I looked around again. "Where does your mom work?"

"Riley's" he said happily. It made his face light up as he said it. Now that I know this, he does look sort of familiar.

"Guess what, buddy? I work at Riley's too. I'm gonna call up there and find her. Does that sound, okay?" I asked him.

He nodded.

"Do you want to go play with my little sister while I call?" He nodded. "Before you go play, what's your name buddy?"

"Beckham" he said.

I stood up and took his hand. I walked him over to Carter and Sky. Bandit followed behind us happily.

"Sky, this is Beckham. He's my friend. Do you want to play for a little while?" I asked her sweetly.

She nodded and they went to go play. Carter stood beside me with a puzzled expression on his face.

"Who's that?" He asked me.

"Beckham. He ran into me and said no one was here for him because his uncle left him for his friend. He said that his mom works at Riley's. I'm gonna call and find out who it is."

Carter nodded and went to watch the kids play.

I pulled out my phone and called Riley's. It rung for a few seconds.

"Hello this is Chantell with Riley's Kitchen. How may I help you today?" Chantell said over the phone.

"Hey Chan it's Cora. Who's all working with you today?"

She paused for a moment, most likely to look around. "Um just me, Simon, and Sean. Why?" She asked.

"This little boy at the park ran into me. He said that his mom was working and his uncle left with his friend. He told me his mom worked at Riley's." I explained the story for a second time.

"Shit. It's not Beckham is it?" She asked in a worried tone.

"Yeah it is."

She let out a string of curse words. "I'm on my way." She hung up the phone.

In shock, I walked back over to Carter. Did she have a kid this whole time and I had no idea?

"You find the kid's mother?" Carter asked.

"Maybe" I answered.

We watched the kids play with Bandit as we waited for Chantel to get here. Carter just didn't know it was her.

"Okay I'm here. Where's Beckham?" She asked winded. She was still in her uniform.

"Mommy!" Beckham squealed and ran up to Chantel. She picked him up with a smile and kissed his cheek. She squeezed him tight.

"Hey baby. What happened to Uncle Bry?"

The little boy shrugged. "I dunno. He told me he be back soon."

"Did he go with Adrien?" She asked him.

He nodded vigorously. "Dri didn't look very happy"

Chantel cursed under her breath. She sighed. "I owe you an explanation." She said and shifted the boy on her hip. "I have to get back to work."

We all went to Riley's together. Chantel took Beckham. We got the kids milkshakes and sent Carter to sit with them. Chantel and I stood to the side of the register.

"So as you can tell by now. Beckham is my son. I had him when I was fifteen years old. My boyfriend actually was Adrien's brother and at the time he was a junior. I was only a freshman. He convinced me to go to a party. He got me drunk and we had sex. At the time, I had no complaints. I thought I was in love"

She sniffled and I put a hand on her hand comfortingly.

"They always say it takes one time and it could change everything you ever knew. It took three times and my life changed forever. I told my boyfriend and he broke up with me on the spot. I was absolutely destroyed."

"I kept it from my parents for months. I eventually told them. They got mad and kicked me out. I didn't know what to do. I went to the father's house and he told me he wanted nothing to do with the child. His cousin saw this and took me in. His family threw me a baby shower, a gender reveal, and he was there during the birth. My parents came around closer to the end of the pregnancy but they didn't see me until I had already had Beck."

"I'm sorry you had to go through all that. You didn't for deserve it."

She shook her head at me. "I wouldn't change it for the world. I have Beckham and seing his smile every day makes me not regret a single moment. Adrien's cousin, Drew, is my best friend in the whole world and I wouldn't be here without him."

"Well I'm glad everything has a happy ending."

"Yeah me too" we looked over are the kids smiling and Carter right there with them.

***

"Sweetie, do you mind going to pick up Kenzie? I promised she could help with some things" Mom asked me.

"Yeah of course." I answered and got up. I grabbed the keys off the counter and my wallet and left the house.

I pulled into the Erickson's driveway a few minutes later. Micheal's truck wasn't in the driveway.

I parked the car and got out of the car. I walked up to the door and knocked. The door opened a few seconds later.

My breath hitched when Will stood there in front of me. He looked at me like he's seen a ghost.

We stayed that way until Kenzie pushed through Will. She snapped us out of our trance.

"Let's go Cor" Kenz grabbed my arm and dragged me away.

I got into the front seat and I practically broke down. Kenzie gave me a hug over the center console.

"I'm sorry, Cora. I know it's hard." She apologized.

"It's not your fault Kenz." I cried.

"My brother's a dummy, but he loves you. That feeling doesn't go away over night. He'll realize sooner or later that he screwed up. If he doesn't, I'll make sure he does"

I choked out a laugh. "Thank you" I wiped my eyes of my tears.

"I love you Cor"

"I love you too Kenz" I told her.

I finally pulled out of the driveway and drove home. We walked in and Lauren and Remi were there as well as another lady I've only seen in pictures. I don't know her name.

"Welcome back Kenzie" Mom said.

"Thank you Harper" she smiled.

"Long time no see" Remi got I from the couch and hugged Remi.

Kenzie laughed and hugged her back.

"Girls this is Aubree Jones. She is my college roommate and best friend." Mom introduced us to the woman. "Aubs this is my daughter, Cora and her friend Kenzie."

"Nice to meet you. Your mom has told me all about you." Aubree said and smiled at me.

I reached my hand out yo shake hers. She accepted almost shocked. "Nice to meet you too"

After the pleasantries were out of the way, Mom clapped. "Okay, you all sit on the couch." She ordered nicely.

We did as she said and she walked I to the kitchen. She handed each of us a box. We waited until each of us got one and we opened them.

There was a card sitting on top. We all picked it up and opened it.

It read:

I've got the ring, I just need one more thing.

Will you be my bridesmaid?

"Of course" Lauren said first and hopped up to give her sister a hug.

We all followed with yes and a hug from each of us. Lauren was the maid of honor and the rest of us were bridesmaids.

We talked about colors and dresses for a long time. We went with rose gold dresses and gold jewelry and accessories.

I couldn't wait for the wedding. It's going to be so fun. She's already the love of my Dad's life. Sure our family might be a little hectic at times but it's absolutely perfect. I have a loving Dad, the best Mom, three idiotic older brothers, and a perfect little sister. I don't know what could get better than that.

Mom went out with Aubree and Lauren for a little while. She said they'd be back before dinner. I believe that Dad already picked his groomsmen, Michael and the boys.

"Hey Kenz, take this to your parents. We're having a Christmas party this weekend and here's the official invitation. I think Harper already told your mom though"

"I'll make sure it gets to them. Thanks Randy." She said and took the invitation from Dad's hand.

"No problem." He said and walked to his room.

Remi, Kenzie, and I walked upstairs to my room. They're both staying for dinner. I think Mom is making Chicken Alfredo.

We threw on a tv show and started talking about random stuff.

"So Kenz, how are you and Grayson?" Remi asked her.

Kenzie blushed. "Good. I'm going with him on Monday to see his grandparents They live around four hours away. I'm a little nervous."

"Have you not met his grandparents yet?" I asked. They've already been dating a year. That normally already happens.

She shook her head. "I've met the ones that live close, but the others I haven't yet."

"That's okay. Don't be nervous about it. Grayson and his family all love you. I'm sure these grandparents will be the same." Remi said.

Kenzie let out a little breath. "You're right"

"Of course I am" she flipped her red hair behind her shoulder jokingly. "Now let's get down to business"

"To defeat the Huns?" I asked skeptically.

"What are we Mulan?" Kenzie joked.

We all laughed and Dad called us down for dinner.

***