It was the height of summer. The ruthless sun was smiling down on the Sullivan family as they celebrated Fourth of July. Two large blue and red pinstripe gazebos dominated Mac and Susan’s backyard along with other patriotic decorations, thanks to Lisa.

“Dadda Dadda. Detta gimme a squeeze.” Little Duke ran towards the barbeque where Caleb, Max, Neal and Mac stood grilling steaks.

Caleb laughed and picked Duke up swinging him high in the air. “Did Delta give you a squeeze?”

When Duke nodded Caleb laughed and gave his son a squeeze before letting him run off with boundless energy. Turning to Neal he cocked a brow. “It’s a good thing the wedding is in couple of months, I have a feeling Delta is broody.”

Neal shrugged. “I doubt that, she’s got her hands full with me. Apparently I’m more demanding than a two-year-old when it comes to attention.”

Mac sipped on his cold beer watching his sons and cleared his throat. “You never liked attention Neal, but ever since you’ve met Delta you’ve changed. I’m glad she’s finally giving you the attention you never wanted.” It warmed his heart to have all his sons with him and happily in love.

Neal and Delta had just bought a lovely two story in a new suburban part of town.  Delta had received numerous accolades the week before after her team had saved seventy-five people from a burning office building. Mac and Susan had stood in the audience broad-shouldered and proud as if she was their own daughter. Pretty soon she would be, Mac thought to himself.

Mac laughed with his sons as Neal just shook his head and flipped a steak. “At least mom didn’t have to find a girl for me,” he said to Max with a pointed look.

“You’re just jealous because you didn’t have a blast from the past.” Max said squinting against the sun. For a while there Mac was worried Max wouldn’t be able to tell the light from the shadows. He had been so caught up in guarding his heart against pain he had almost lost the love of his life. Even when they were children Mac could remember the way Max had looked at Abby. Sure Neal and Caleb had some girlfriends and fooled around, but Max had been in love. When Abby had left him, Mac’s heart had been ripped apart watching his son trying to deal with the pain. Finally they had both set their tempers and arrogance aside and admitted they were made to be together. Cape River Dreams had never been better. With Max handling the tours and the boat, and Abby in charge of the bookings and marketing they were considering buying another boat, but Mac had a feeling they would wait until after the wedding.

“So how soon are planning the next wedding?” Caleb asked Neal as he passed him a cold beer. Caleb had been Mac and Susan’s biggest worry. Ever since he had started writing his moods had become more and more mercurial until they finally didn’t know how to reach him anymore. Somehow Sarah had clawed her way into the darkness that sometimes overtook him and always managed to bring him back. C.B. Sullivan, his pen name, had just completed his latest best-seller based on the life and capture of a famous serial killer. If it wasn’t for Sarah he wasn’t sure Caleb would be able to survive the dark hell holes his writing sometimes tossed him into. There were rumors on having another baby, but that’s was Susan’s instinct talking. Mac was certain before Caleb and Sarah left today, Susan would have her answer.

Mac shook his head as he noticed a paper plate beside the grill covered with another. He knew his boys and smiled knowing they were up to mischief. The kind of mischief that always drove their baby sister crazy.

He considered admonishing them and decided against it. Children were meant to tease and taunt even when they were grown up. Besides, wasn’t that why he and Susan insisted they all join them for the 4^th? What was a family barbeque without a few laughs?

“Caleb, get your hiney in here!” Sarah called from the back door with a scowl on her face.

Mac stifled the laugh as Caleb nearly jumped at his wife’s voice before heaving a heavy sigh.

“Don’t even ask Caleb, I’m not pressing charges because you’re wife is making you clean a diaper.” Neal teased as Caleb shook his head.

“And here I remember you telling me I can always count on you.” Caleb sighed.

“Not when it comes to diapers. You’re on your own doo-doo-da-da.”

The boys’ conversation faded into the background as Mac met Susan’s gaze through the kitchen window. Even at the ripe age of sixty five she was just as beautiful as they he met her. After raising four children and putting up with a temperamental architect for all these years she still hadn’t lost her free spirit. Mac could still see the hippy he had fallen in love with in her cerulean-blue eyes. He also knew they could snap from hot to cold with the blink of an eye and she could forgive a mistake just as fast.

Even though the years had softened her body, she still had her narrow hips and slender figure. The grey highlights she had recently added to her curly blonde bob, accentuated the sparkle in her eyes.

He excused himself from the boys and headed into the kitchen. Without a word he stepped into the kitchen ignoring Sarah, Lisa, Delta and Abby as he walked towards his wife. “You’re still the most beautiful girl in the world.” Mac whispered against her lips.

“Mac!” Susan laughed when he tickled her sides. “I thought you were supervising the boys?”

“Suze, I think they know how to grill a steak, after all I taught them.” Mac shrugged.

Susan’s cheeks turned a bright red as the girls behind them snickered until Sarah spoke. “We’ll leave you alone.”

“You’ll do no such thing.” Susan swatted Mac’s tickling hands away. “Mac, get outside and watch those boys. We’re almost done here.” Susan pressed a kiss to his cheek before turning back to washing the lettuce. Mac gave her a light pat on the bum before he left the kitchen.

“I think you should be worried about another sister or brother,” Sarah said as she nudged Lisa in the ribs.

“Gross, besides mom had a feeling you’ll be giving us another little monster soon.” Lisa asked with cocked brows.

Susan sighed contently in a kitchen filled with woman. Her boys had been so lucky in finding women that suited them.

“Caleb’s just finished his book; I think I should let him relax before I start nagging.”

Caleb and Sarah had had such a tumultuous start to their relationship. Caleb had always blamed himself for the death of his fiancée ten years ago and it had taken a miracle and Sarah’s love to make him realize he was worth loving again.

“No time better than the present; besides isn’t making babies relaxing?” Delta teased from where she was dicing a watermelon into perfect small squares.

Neal had always been a stern quiet man; he reminded her so much of her own father. That was probably why she had embraced the sixties and became a hippy, Susan mused. It had taken a lot of courage and patience for Neal to coax Delta out of the shell she had buried herself in after running from an abusive relationship.

“Ew! You do know you’re talking about my brothers?” Lisa squealed and Abby, Delta and Sarah laughed.

“Are you still dating the guy from the engagement party?” Abby asked as she pulled freshly baked buns from the oven.

Lisa shrugged. “Nope, apparently fate’s only got love on the cards my brothers. I’m destined to be an old spinster with twenty cats and a fish to keep me company.”

“What happened?” Delta asked scraping the diced watermelon into a bright pottery bowl.

“Nothing. That’s just the point. No sparks, no chemistry, and absolute no technique when it came to kissing.”

Susan laughed as she rinsed the last few dishes remnant of preparing salads and the side dishes to accompany the steak. Lisa was so much a mirror image of herself. Susan was so proud that her daughter had pursued a career she loved. Lisa wasn’t only a hippy with a great taste in floral prints, she was smart.

Susan knew that when the time was right her daughter was going to meet someone that blew her away. Someone that infuriated her even as they bedazzled her. Lisa needed someone to rock her care-free world. And the funny part was Susan knew in her heart that Lisa had never really loved before.

She had been infatuated with love, she had been mildly attractive and she had definitely been pursued. As she watched her little girl toss the salad together her heart clenched like vice in her chest. Love didn’t come without heartache and as a mother it was hard to know her daughter still had to experience both.

“Lisa, you’re lunch is ready.” The back door burst open with Caleb, Neal and Max rushing in with a paper plate.

Lisa’s eyebrows raised and confusion clouded her eyes. “My food?”

“Yup, your favorite.” Max said revealing the surprise inside.

The scent of grilled cheese filled the kitchen even as laughter flowed between family. Lisa cringed and backed away from the plate carefully with her hands raised in defense. “Max, please don’t.” Lisa begged.

Susan laughed; she knew exactly what was coming. The boys would chase Lisa around the house until they managed to force her to take a bite. She would whine and complain but at the end of the day she loved it that three grown men still went through the trouble of teasing her. As for the toasted cheese, she had hated it since her first bite at age three.

Susan left the kitchen and joined Mac on the lawn beneath the gazebo. “The boys made her grilled cheese,” Mac snickered as he put his arm around Susan.

“I know.” Susan laughed. “Of all the things we did wrong Mac, we did something right.”

Mac sighed contently and pressed a kiss against Susan’s head. “I know Suze, we raised them right.”