I feel like the new person at school with Daniel's entire family watching us walk over to their picnic. Noah decided to have a tantrum right before leaving the house, so we're a tiny bit late and everyone is already set up with their chairs and picnic rugs.

Emma's perched on a fold-out chair with her arms crossed, half engaged in a conversation with Calvin. Daniel places his hand on my lower back and rubs it.

"We're going to have a great time," he whispers.

My smile tightens along with my grip on Noah's hand.

"Today will be great," I repeat to convince myself.

I haven't stopped stressing about today's picnic since Daniel pitched the idea last week to help smooth over the events of the housewarming party. His poor siblings are playing buffer, but that's a true testimony to how badly Daniel wants to make this work.

Daniel maneuvers me towards the side and we place our things beside Clara's.

"Noah's here," Faith cheers.

Faith and Eloise tackle Noah into hugs and lead him over to the game they're playing on the grass.

"Oh, that's sweet," Mum comments.

"Faith and Eloise adore Noah." I smile.

"Adore? They are obsessed with Noah. They're always asking when we're going to see him again." Clara chuckles. "It's very cute seeing them play together."

"It is." I grin.

"Let's do introductions before we set up," Daniel comments.

"Oh, we don't need introductions for some people." Mum glances at Emma and she glares back.

My stomach ties itself up into knots. Oh boy, this is going to be a long picnic.

"Harvey is my oldest brother and his wife Aubrey and their daughter Sadie. Then there's the middle child, Henry, and his wonderful wife Clara, and their two daughters, Faith and Eloise. Finally, my father Calvin, and my mother, Emma."

"It's wonderful to officially meet everyone!" Mum comments.

"Let's set up the picnic blanket," I comment.

I hand Mum the blanket while I unpack the chairs and food. Once the blanket is settled on the grass, Clara moves from her seat and sits on the blanket with us.

"Hi, Ellie." She grins. "How are you?"

I roll my eyes and sigh.

Mum sits beside Clara and Daniel lounges beside me. I hand him a container of fruit and he digs into the grapes and tosses them into his mouth.

"It's wonderful to meet you, Stevie. We love Ellie joining the family, she's been such an amazing influence on Daniel."

"If only your mother thought the same," I whisper.

"Those two make a very cute couple." Mum beams.

I smile at Daniel and he grins back.

Daniel looks at Clara and the two share a look.

"I bought bocce if anyone's up for a game?" Clara comments.

"Bocce?" I frown.

"You throw a small ball onto the grass and then everyone takes turns seeing who can get their ball the closest to the smaller ball. Sometimes we play guess where Faith is going to throw the ball. In that version, we throw the balls wherever we think Faith will throw the smaller ball."

"I prefer that version of the game" Daniel chuckles. "I think Noah will as well."

"There's four colours and two of each colour. So we could have eight players and Stevie can throw the smaller ball first?" Clara suggests.

"Sounds like fun." She grins.

"Who wants to play bocce?" Clara calls out.

Henry groans but one look from Clara reminds him he doesn't have a choice. Henry forces a smile and stands up. Clara hands him the bocce set and he wanders onto the grass and looks around for somewhere to play.

Henry places the game on the floor and opens it. The boys pick their colours and we end up with the blue set.

"I'm making a line with the sticks because Henry cheats," Harvey comments.

"I don't cheat. You can't throw." Henry rolls his eyes.

Sadie and Harvey gather sticks and leaves from the grass and make a line on the grass. We line up behind it and wait for Mum to throw the first ball. The little ball rolls over the grass and lands not too far away from us.

The girls throw the balls first and do a decent job except for me. I overestimate the amount of strength required and my ball rolls to the very back.

Daniel wraps his arms around my waist and rests his chin on my shoulder.

"Oh baby, we're going to need to work on your throwing skills now you're sticking around."

On the next round, he places one arm around my waist, his other hand cradles mine and he helps me throw the ball and it lands close to the small one.

"Yay," I cheer.

He spins me around and pecks my forehead.

"You're amazing."

"If only other people could realise just how amazing she is," Mum comments.

Emma crosses her arms and frowns while Mum smirks.

Daniel kisses my head and whispers, "I love you."

"Another round?"

"How about the kids have their turn?" I suggest.

Sadie, Faith, Eloise, and Noah grab the balls from the grass and line up behind the sticks. Aubrey and Henry organise the children and explain how to play the game.

I take Daniel's hand and lead him back to the picnic rug.

"Are you hungry?" I ask.

"Yes." Daniel nods.

I unpack the assortment of food that attracts Mum. She grazes on the cheese and fruit board Noah helped make.

"Hey Mum, come and join us," Daniel calls out.

Emma warily looks at us before hesitantly joining us. She tugs on a warm smile and looks around.

"Thanks for organising the picnic. We've been too busy to host something at the house for everyone, but it's a great opportunity for everyone to get to know each other," Emma comments.

"Daniel's great at making time for his family," Mum comments.

"His family? I would hardly say they are his family. They've only been dating for a short time."

"Family is more than bloodlines."

"But it is." Emma frowns.

"I didn't need much time to work out I love Ellie, nor consider her part of the family. Ellie and Noah have fit right in."

"Daniel."

"Mum." He raises his eyebrows and shakes his head.

"What's with the animosity towards Ellie? I don't understand because you've made no effort to get to know Ellie." Mum frowns.

Emma takes a deep breath to compose herself.

"I want what's best for Daniel."

"And Ellie isn't good enough for him?" Mum tilts her head to the side.

"I didn't say that." Emma frowns.

"You don't have to say anything, your actions are clear enough."

"I won't listen to any more of this." Emma shakes her head.

"It's a shame you can't see how wonderful these two are for each other. I've only heard good things about Daniel but I can see the positive influence he's made on Ellie and Noah in the short time they've known each other."

"As a mother, you should know that feeling all too well of wanting to protect your children. I'm sure Ellie's an amazing person but I don't want to see Daniel hurt again."

"You're so afraid of losing your son, you're driving him away."

"Can we stop fighting? I organised this picnic so everyone had the opportunity to get to know each other. Ellie and I love each other, so there's no need to worry about her leaving or hurting me. This silly fighting is what hurts."

"She has a child with another man which means she'll be tied to another man for the rest of her life. Is that what you want?"

"Craig managed to set his feelings aside and come around to the situation, so I'm sure you can do the same thing. Ellie is the blessing you prayed for. She pulled me out of my darkest time without even knowing she was doing it."

I take Daniel's hand and lace my fingers between them. He squeezes my hand for reassurance.

"What about Erin? You two were perfect for each other and then you just broke up?"

"Don't talk about Erin," Daniel warns.

"Why?" Emma sighs with frustration.

Daniel looks at me and I frown and nibble on my lower lip.

"Because she had an abortion."

Emma gasps.

Daniel stands up and walks away. I look at Mum and before I can ask her to look after Noah, she nods. I chase after Daniel and silently follow him down a secluded pathway that takes us to a bench that overlooks a small river running between garden beds.

He collapses into the chair and places his head on his hands. I sit beside him and tightly wrap him in my arms. Daniel sobs, so I do my best to comfort him.

"I'm sorry," he says between tears.

I cup his cheek and brush the tears from his cheeks.

"Never apologise for your feelings, Daniel."

He presses his forehead against mine and our noses touch. I lace my fingers between his and squeeze his hand for comfort.

"I'm relieved you told her about the abortion. I know it's hard for you, but sometimes I see you watching Noah and I can see the hurt lingering in your eyes. You shouldn't be going through this alone."

"I'm relieved to finally let that secret go." He sighs. "It's been eating me alive and maybe if she knows now, she'll finally understand what a blessing you and Noah are in my life. How you did save me in my darkest of times."

"I hope so." I sigh.

"I should have told them earlier."

"All that matters is they know now and they can support you. I think she'll be relieved to finally understand what's been going on inside your head."

"We should head back. I'm sure she's very upset and I want to talk to her."

"We can stay for a little longer if you need to," I comment.

"Thanks, but that's okay."

I kiss the back of his hand before standing up and pulling him off the bench. We slowly walk back, hand in hand, until we reach the picnic. Emma brushes the tears from her pink cheeks and looks at Daniel. He nods to the pathway behind us and she jumps up and walks over.

"Can we talk?"

"Yes." She nods.

The pair wander off while I take a seat beside Mum. Noah climbs onto my lap and I kiss the top of his head.

"Everything okay?"

"I think it finally will be."

* * * * *