"You better treat her right, Stefan. There's a hell of a crew here who will kick your ass if you don't!" Kathleen declared.
"I will," he vowed.
Kathleen lifted her suitcases and stood staring at them, a lost look on her pretty face. She dropped her suitcases and spun toward Sera. Stefan braced himself; it was glaringly obvious Kathleen had more to say, and he was scared of what it might be. Instead of speaking, tears poured down her cheeks, and she rushed back over to embrace Sera again. They hugged for a long time before Kathleen reluctantly pulled away, lifted her suitcases, and hurried from the room.
Liam walked over to Sera and pulled her against him. Everyone silently left the room to give them some privacy. They headed down the back steps to the group in the backyard. Some of Ian's old high school friends, and some of his college friends, had come to the party. They were gathered by the volleyball net, leisurely batting the ball back and forth as they waited for more people to join.
"Let's play," Isabelle said eagerly.
Stefan raised a black brow in amusement as she smiled up at him. He couldn't refuse her anything, and she knew it. She took his hand and pulled him to the makeshift volleyball court. He couldn’t help but notice the lustful stares directed her way, and his eyes narrowed warningly on the overeager men. They stared back at him for a second before quickly lowering their gazes. She squeezed his hand reassuringly as she stopped next to Ian, and The Stooges walked over to join them.
"Do you have chosen teams for volleyball too?" Stefan asked.
"Of course," Jack replied. "Same as football, except I don't think Liam will be back for a while. You can take his place on David's team, and Kyle can play again."
Isabelle scrunched her face as Stefan dropped a quick kiss on her forehead and moved to the other side of the net. Kyle eagerly came forward, happy to be included in the game again. She watched him as he excitedly bounced up and down on the balls of his feet. Looking at him now, it was impossible to believe he was at death's door only days before, and she was incredibly grateful he was still with them now.
Casting Stefan a grateful smile, she moved to the end of the line and took the ball from Ethan as she prepared to serve. The game went by in a blur of laughter and injuries. Kyle received a bloody nose, Ian sprained his finger, Ethan was mumbling about a groin muscle, and David and Mike got the wind knocked out of them when they charged the net trying to spike the ball.
Stefan enjoyed watching Isabelle as she played. She was fluid and graceful, with an easy smile on her face as she laughed and joked with everyone. He returned the secret, smiles she gave him as his mind continuously sent wicked, meaningful messages to hers. He forced her to mess up more than a few times while serving and she returned the favor in kind.
However, it wasn't just Isabelle causing him to enjoy the day so much; it was the whole atmosphere. He felt welcomed by them before, but for the first time, he felt truly accepted, as if they were his family too. Which, he realized, they were now. With Isabelle, came all her siblings, her parents, and The Stooges. With Isabelle came the family he lost long ago and never expected to have again.
He wiped the sweat from his brow as the game ended with David's team, his team, winning the best two out of three. Mike's team, including Isabelle, were all scowling as they moved over to join them on the other side of the net.
"We're going to need to redo the teams now that Stefan's here," Jack mumbled as he pulled his T-shirt back on.
"Kyle's old enough to become a permanent member." Kyle's chest puffed out as he straightened his shoulders. "And with Ian and Aiden gone most of the time, we can put him on David's team," Ethan said.
"Liam and Stefan are not staying on the same team!" Mike protested.
Lighthearted banter broke out as they made their way back to the picnic tables. Stefan wrapped his arm around Isabelle's waist and pulled her against his side. She grinned up at him as she leaned her head against his shoulder.
"What if I take Isabelle?" David asked.
"No way!" she cried as her head jerked up. "I've been on Mike's team since I was twelve years old!"
"Don't worry, Issy, you're not getting traded," Mike assured her. "Why doesn't Stefan join our team?"
"Are you insane?" Doug cried. "He's the only one who can catch her!"
"And we all know she can catch him," Jack replied with a grin and a wink.
Isabelle laughed as she rested her head against his shoulder again. His arm around her waist was warm and secure. She could no longer remember what it was she’d been so afraid of with him.
"Why don't we argue about this later?" Ian demanded. "It's my party, and I say it's time for a little fun."
Isabelle lifted her head from Stefan's shoulder to grin at him. "Weren't we already having fun?" she asked.
"You know what I mean, Issy," he replied with a grin.
She knew exactly what he meant.
"You'd better go get your friends," Jack told him.
"They'll follow us. Ready for one of our family traditions, Stefan?"
"If someone would tell me what it is," he replied.
They exchanged smiles as they glanced at one another.
"Who's going first?" Mike asked.
All their gazes landed on Isabelle. "No way!" she retorted. "I went last year; it's Ian's turn."
"It is Ian's turn," Jack said after giving it further thought.
Ian took a
