Just us║E. Buckley x O.C.

It was one of those evenings when the Los Angeles air felt almost lighter, filled with anticipation and smiles. In the backyard, the lights strung up in the trees created a soft, warm atmosphere, mingling with the scent of food and the cheerful chatter of people who felt at home.

Hope stood with a hand on her belly, next to Buck. They had managed to convince everyone to come to a "family party," as Buck had called it, using the excuse of wanting to thank everyone for their support over the past few months.

Athena stood next to Bobby, who was manning the barbecue. Maddie was playing with her daughter Jee-Yun and the triplets in the yard, while Chim carried trays of food from the kitchen. Christopher laughed with Eddie and Margaret, who had become part of the family by now. Filippo, wearing an apron, stood near Athena and Bobby, animatedly debating with Hen about the best meatball recipe. Marjan and T.K. were having fun taking pictures, while Carlos, T.K.’s husband, and the rest of the 126 watched them, chatting with the homeowners' parents. Everyone was there. They were a chosen  extended family, one built with love and intention.

Hope cleared her throat and stepped up onto the little porch step. Buck squeezed her hand as everyone turned toward her.

"Excuse me," she began, clearly emotional. "I know we said this was just a simple get-together. But… there’s something we want to share."

Hope’s gaze moved over each face in the crowd, people who had saved her life, supported her, loved her.

“Something small. Or rather… someone.”

The triplets came closer to her, giggling amongst themselves.
"These little people here," she said, crouching down to their level, "are going to be big brothers."

Hope’s smile lit up her entire face.

The silence didn’t last long, an explosion of voices followed.

“What?!”
“No way, really?”
“Wait a second… again?!”
“THAT’S AMAZING!”

Maddie was the first to reach her, tears in her eyes as she hugged her tight. “A girl?” Hope nodded, laughing through her tears.

Buck, beaming, raised his hands in triumph. “Yep, a girl. The team’s balanced now.”

“I hope she has your smile,” Athena whispered, gently touching Hope’s arm. Bobby squeezed her shoulder. “She’ll be loved. By all of us.”

Eddie stepped up and fist-bumped Buck. “If she’s as stubborn as Charlotte, we’re in trouble.”

Filippo, pretending to be offended, turned to Margaret. “Did you hear that? They haven’t even asked me to be the godfather yet,” he said while pulling his little sister into a hug.

Hope burst out laughing and returned the hug. “Idiot, you know I was going to ask you.”

The evening continued with toasts, hugs, and stories. At one point, Hen suggested they pick a name already. “We all know she’s going to be a tiny force of nature.”

“No names before the birth!” Buck shouted, laughing.

Christopher came up to Hope and handed her a drawing he’d made: a giant heart with five people and a baby inside. At the top, it read: “The Buckley-Trevisan Family (plus one).”
“Aunt Hope, this is for you.”

Hope was deeply moved. “Thank you, sweetheart. It’s beautiful.”

As the night went on and the lights stayed on like little suspended dreams, Hope looked around at everything she had;her husband, the children laughing, the friends who had become family.

And she thought: This is love. This is home.