Serendipitous

Bonus chapter + THANKYOU!!!!

"Around an hour. But don't worry darlings, we can play some music if you'd like?" I say, flicking open my phone and opening Spotify.

"Yes please!"

"Who do you like listening to?"

"Taylor Swift!" [A/n: okay yes, i'm starting the swiftie cult young. sue me]

A broad smile tracing my lips, I turn around to face the girls. Their little faces are blushed with warmth, excitement radiating around the car. From beside me, Max groans comically, earning a small smack on the arm from me.

"How come I never get to choose the music?" He complains, his lips pressed into a pout like a little child. I ignore him as I press play on 1989 (Taylor's Version), trying desperately to avoid looking like a psycho in front of the girls as the opening beats of 'Style' ring out through the cars speakers.

"Hey, majority rules."

"You did this when it was a 1:1 ratio too!"

"And? I own you." I joke, flashing Max a smile loaded with sarcasm. He shakes his head, leaning over to peck my cheek at a red light.

Before I know it, we're all singing together, our voices loud and awfully out of tune. Even Max gets involved, because we all know he's non-so-secretly a swiftie. I mean, why else would I have married him?

"Can we see Laurie again?" Cora says around halfway through our trip, right before Daisy butts in.

"And Olly and Josh?"

I look across at Max, smiling. A couple of weeks ago, we took the girls to meet Laurie; Natalie and Casey girl, and Lera and Christian's two boys. They also met Melanie and Bailey, as well as Fitz and Holly, and since then, they haven't stopped talking about their new friends. If all goes well, we're planning to send the girls to the same elementary school that Olly goes to, and where Natalie and Casey are planning to send Laurie next year. I almost can't believe how close we are, how we've been able to weave all our stories together so efficiently. But the girls are like sisters to me, and I know Max has made tight bonds with all of the guys. When Max and I started discussing adoption, I had a lot of deep, in depth conversations with the girls. About my worries, about the things I was scared about. And they were with me every step of the way, non-judgemental and ready to listen. And for that, I'm forever grateful.

The drive passes quickly, and I don't think I've ever had a more fun car trip in my life. It seems euphoric to be sitting here, with Max and our children. In some of my worst days, I never thought I'd get a day like this. I couldn't visualise it, what having a family with children in it looked like. But now, we're one step closer.

As we pull into our driveway, I'm surprised to find cars parked along the street, some of which look suspiciously like my friend's cars. I catch Max's confused looking face, already biting back a laugh. My friends are simply a different breed.

After parking the car, Max and I begin to unstrap the girls from their car seats. They're giggly as they bound towards the front door, with Max and I following close behind. As I walk up our front porch, I spot Christian. his face poking through the curtains. I can't help but laugh. That idiot.

Before I can even get my keys out, the door flies open.

"Surprise!!!!" A million voices swirl together into that one singular word, with the girls laughing in glee. They race into the house, bypassing Christian and heading straight towards Laurie, Olly and Josh, their happiness evident. As the kids run out the back, I step through the door, followed closely by Max. Christian stands next to the door, an opened mouthed smile greeting us.

"We totally surprised you, didn't we!" Christian yells, as he pulls me into a tight hug.

"No, dumbass, we saw you poking your head through the window." I shake my head as I pass Christian, walking further into the house. I can only laugh as I spot each of our friends, standing beneath a welcome home banner.