Jeremiah POV

It's been seven years since Conrad married my Belly. Since my brother made the woman of my dreams.. His. Don't get me wrong, I date.

I don't have relationships, but I date. I admit to going back to Lacy Berone, maybe out of spite. I don't hate Belly, how could I ever hate the person who meant so much to me for so long. I think I have moved on, sure I'm not married, sure I don't have two kids with Belly- but I think I have moved on for sure. I love my nieces, they're previous and mirrors of their mom.

The closest I ever got to having a relationship is when I started dating Belly's old room-mate, we hooked up at the wedding- despite me having a date. It lasted six months, she knew I wasn't over Belly and we never spoke again except in passing. I never said I was perfect, I never said I was the most honorable man, but for Belly I tried. I gave it my all, I was going to marry that her.

I shake my head, trying to pull my thoughts together. It's time to go over to their house, it's Madison's birthday; my niece. She is the oldest of the two, turning 4 today. I pick up the large box I wrapped in pink paper, "Time to go."

I bought some kind of mini-van barbie situation I knew she wanted. I've been to every birthday, I've gone over for holidays- but today seems more heavy than usual. Today I can't stop thinking about the past. Maybe it's because Madison's birthday is on mom's birthday- maybe it's just a wormhole.

I've been working at my father's company since I left college. I made good money, I'm not a doctor like Conrad but I make a nice living for a playboy bachelore as Conrad says.

I stop at the front door, looking into the mirror in the foyer. "It's going to be a good day," I tell my reflection. Not sure if I believe him myself.

I pull up to the summer house, Conrad has kept up with it. Looks like when we were kids. They stay here more than I do. When I walk through the door I am greeted at the knees by a tiny brown haired girl. "Wuncle!"

I swoop her up, "There's my girl!" she hugs me tight, her brown eyes light up at the box in my hands. "That is for me?"

I nod, "Yes, Happy Birthday Madison."

She doesn't hesitate to rip the paper off. "I GOT IT!" She shouts and the other kids run over to see what was in the box.

"Thank you," She squeezes my knees again.

That's when I see her. She's wearing an apron covered in what could only be pink frosting. "Jere, you made it." She smiles.
"Of course, I got a call a week ago with a long list of demands," I say looking down at Madison.

Belly Smiles, her eyes twinkle. "She says you're her favorite uncle."

I just nod, with a weak smile. Tody is not going to be a good day. It's the messy look of joyful exhaustion on her face that is somehow killing me. "Where's luna?"

Belly point in the direction of the pool, "Soaking in the sun with Con."

I nod again, making a hand gesture that i'll be going that way. The house is covered in pink streamers, barbie decor and ballons. My mom would be proud, she'd be so happy to see Belly making this house feel whole and loved and useful.

I see Conrad in the pool, baby Luna floating in a toddler raft. "Jere!" He calls at me, waving me over. "Look how cute she looks in this bikini!"

It was the chubbiest beach babe I'd ever seen. "Oh, she's just too much I can't take the cuteness."

I see Steven standing by the pit, "Hey!" I call out and walk over. He claps me on the back.

"Oh man, it's really good to see you!' He hugs me.

"It's been forever, like a year!"

"I know," Steven sighs. "Taylor's job keeps her on the go and sometimes me and Kyle just go with her."

"Sounds fun though," I smile at him. He and Taylor got married shortly after Conrad and Belly. Their son Kyle is five, looks identical to Taylor with Steven's brain. Amazing how things work out like that. Taylor hit it big, turns out she can really sing and TikTok thought so too.

"It's got its ups and downs man," He chuckles. The smell of scorched hotdogs fill the air.

"Steven the dogs are burning man," I point at the grill. "Oh SHIT!"

I see Taylor coming down stairs, Kyle in her arms. She waves at me, a pittyful smile on her face. I wonder if that's for me?
I take a seat by the pool, Madison runs over and climbs in my lap. We talk about the presents she got, what flavor her cake is and all the fun things she's done today.

I can see Belly in the corner of my eye trying to fix a birthday banner that's fallen. She looks at it pensive when she realizes she's too short to do it on her own, I see her calcuate it. Steven is busy with burning BBQ, Conrad has Luna in the pool... She locks eyes with me and mouths 'help'.

I nod, smiling. I walk over, without saying anythingI pin the banner back up in it's place.

"You're a lifesaver."

I turn to her, we're about two feet apart. "Anytime."

Something seems off, I know Belly like I know the back of my hand and she looks over stimulated, but sad. "Everything okay?"

She looked surpirsed I asked. "Y-Yeah."

"You sure, yo look stressed?"

"Well kids birthday parties can do that!" She chuckles.

"I wouldn't know," I shrug. Awkward haze creeps in the air.

"Yet," She nudges me. "When are you going to settle down?"

We both felt the awkward sting in the air this time. I wonder just now if she remembered herself waiting upstairs in a wedding gown for me, to marry me.

"When I find the right person," I say with another shrug.

She just gives me a weak smile and we say nothing more.

The party was as fun as a party for a child could be. The night winds down and I grab my keys off the counter, time to leave. Everyone's sitting in the front room, the kids all blacked out upstairs. I'm making my way to the door when Taylor calls out to me,"Jeremy, were you leaving before the party is over?" I mean, it is a long drive back to boston.

"Isn't it already over?" I say popping my head into the living room.

"Come sit down," Steven pads a spot beside him and Taylor.

Belly and Conrad are sitting next to each other, but not holding each other. I guess I could handle this for a little while longer.

"Jere," Taylor starts with a wicked grin. "I heard you just made a ton of money."

"Uh," I chuckle. "I mean I'm comfortable."

"Don't be modest, we all know you're following in dad's footsteps." Conrad says before taking a swig of beer.

"I like the company," I smile, "And the company likes me." I did happen to make a good chunk of change recently.

Everyone laughs, even Belly. Her laugh is a little quieter than everyone elses. She seems tired still, stressed. She notices me staring at her, we look at each other for a minute before she smiles and says;

"Did you hear Taylor's knocked up again?"

I gasp. "What! Tay tay! Who's the daddy?"

"Belly I wanted to tell him!" Steven groaned.

"Sorry!"

I pull steven in a hug, 'Congrats to you and Tay."

I had a beer, we talked, we laughed. But Belly, her face always had a pained expression under her smile. Is it me being here? Can't be. I've come around plenty of times before.

"It's getting late," I stretch, "I'm going to head out."

"No way, it's one in the morning!" Belly says quickly. "You can't drive home this late."

I didn't realize how much time had flown by. "I'll be fine."

"There's still plenty of room, the kids all share a room so there's an extra room upstairs," Steven adds.

I look at Conrad, one thing I don't usually do is stay over. He looks unphased by this plan, like it wouldn't bother him if I did.

"I guess it's kind of late," I sigh.

I really don't want to stay, but I've had more beers than I'd like and my eyes feel heavy.

"Perfect," Taylor claps her hands together. "We'll go make some fresh drinks."

She pulls Belly toward the kitchen, dragging her almost. "So, how's married life?"

I ask the guys. I wonder if that sounded awkward.

"It's..." Conrad started but trailed off. "Busy."

Steven nods. "I can't remember the last time I just did nothing."

"I can, it was before I got here," I said with a grin.

Conrad snorts, "Of course."

I try not to take that how it sounded. Steven gave Conrad a look that said shut up.

"We're back!" Taylor exclaims with a tray of fruity looking drinks. "I'd love to, but I am exhausted and I have to leave early for work," I say standing up.

"Awww," She pouts. "Okay Business man."

I look over at Belly who seems half relieved I'll be leaving the living room- but maybe half disappointed. I climb the steps and am happy to find my old room is different, but empty. Pink, very pink.