Cousins had never felt more alive.
Lights wrapped around every pole, warm golden strings dangling above, Christmas music echoing through the chilly air, and the smell of cinnamon and roasted chestnuts drifting between the booths.
It wasn't just a Christmas market — it was a full amusement park dressed in holiday sparkle.
And they arrived as a unit, bundled in coats and scarves, cheeks pink from the cold, laughter spilling before they even stepped through the archway.
————
It started with Lydia spotting the biggest ride in the park — a massive wooden rollercoaster twisting into the winter sky.
She pointed. "Adam. Let's go."
Adam froze. "Oh no. No, no, no—I don't do rides."
Lydia smirked. "Come on, you big baby."
"Lyd, I am forty-three years old—"
"Then it's now or never."
Everyone laughed as she dragged him toward the queue, Adam muttering under his breath about needing to update his will.
Conrad wrapped his arms around his chest, grinning. "He's going to scream."
"He deserves it," Lydia said proudly, pulling Adam behind her.
When the ride launched, Adam's scream echoed through the entire park — a deep, dramatic, gut-punched yell. "LYDIA CONKLIN, I HATE YOU!" he hollered as they plummeted.
She was laughing so hard tears streamed down her face, one hand gripping the bar, the other squeezing Adam's hand as he clung to her like she was his lifeline.
Conrad filmed the entire thing, shaking with laughter.
When they got off, Adam stumbled, leaning heavily on her.
"You're grounded," he wheezed.
"You're welcome," Lydia replied, kissing his cheek.
————
The market burst into colour around them.
Belly & Jeremiah walked hand in hand, sipping hot chocolate with tiny marshmallows, stopping to take photos in every cute booth. Jeremiah bought her a pair of fluffy reindeer ears and she forced him to wear matching ones.
Taylor & Steven were their usual chaotic selves — she dragged him to the carousel, then shoved her phone at him.
"Take my picture."
"Taylor, we're literally on a moving horse."
"Steven. Picture. Now."
He took 78. She approved two.
Laurel floated between the groups, snapping pictures of everyone — her children, their found family, and the moments she knew she'd want to hold onto forever.
Denise & Lydia did a full photoshoot under a giant candy cane arch. Denise kept yelling,
"SMILE LIKE YOU DIDN'T HAVE FEELINGS FOR A MAN WHO TURNED A CAR AROUND FOR PEACHES!"
Lydia shoved her playfully. "Shut up."
They posed together, laughing so loudly a few strangers joined in.
————
Conrad walked behind Lydia, hands in his pockets, watching her bounce between booths with the kind of smile that made the cold feel warm.
She stopped at a gingerbread stand, pointing at a giant house. "Con, look! We could never make this."
"We'd burn the kitchen down."
"Exactly."
He teased, "You'd burn the kitchen down. I'm a competent adult."
She bumped her shoulder against his. "You're... tolerable."
"And you're impossible," he murmured, pulling her close and kissing her forehead softly.
Right in the middle of the amusement park.
Lights glowing behind her.
Snow drifting like glitter.
And she smiled up at him like she finally understood what being chosen felt like.
————
John found Lydia next, leaning against a railing watching everyone scatter like children.
He bumped her shoulder lightly. "Having fun?"
"The best," she said.
He smiled — tired, soft, full of love. "You make everything feel lighter, you know that?"
She swallowed, closing the tiny distance to hug him, burying her face in his chest.
He hugged her back with all the gentleness in the world.
————
Laurel called out, "Everyone! Group picture!"
And chaos erupted.
Steven was dragging Taylor away from a cotton candy stand.
Jeremiah was adjusting Belly's reindeer ears.
Adam was dramatically limping from the rollercoaster.
Conrad threw his arm around Lydia, pulling her into his side.
Daniel hugged Denise by the waist.
Laurel counted,
"One—two—three!"
Click.
Pure joy captured forever.
————
They ended the outing with churros, warm chocolate, and a final rollercoaster that Jeremiah almost threw up on.
Walking out, Lydia slipped her mittened hand into Conrad's, leaning her head into his shoulder.
"You happy?" he whispered.
She looked up at him, eyes shining. "Yeah. Really happy."
And under the Christmas lights, surrounded by their people, the cold air brimming with warmth and laughter, it felt like nothing could touch them.
Not tonight.
Not here.
Not in their messy, beautiful, imperfect little family.
YOU ARE READING
All The Summers After | TSITP | Sequel
RomanceBefore there were children, before the decades passed, there were two people who fought their way back to love.
