Family Reads Novels & Stories

“That’s one way to put it.” He folded his arms, leaning against the piano. “You know this family. We’re loud. We’re protective to the point of insanity. We screw up, we overreact, we panic. But one thing we never do—ever—is let someone in halfway.” Trina stilled. Cameron’s voice softened. “You’re not just dating Adrian anymore. You’re part of us now.” Her breath caught. “You’re family,” he said simply. “Cross family. And not because of the baby or the drama or the headlines. Because you’ve been here, beside us, beside him, even when everything turned ugly.”

I was curious to see just how much longer they could hold out. "How long do you intend to keep acting out, Lorraine?" Grandma Madeline barked, glaring at me with pure hatred. "You're just so determined to turn the whole family upside down, huh? You were a headache for your parents when they were alive, and here you are, still making a scene even after they're gone! How could you be so shameless and refuse to let them rest in peace, Lorraine?" Grandma Madeline might not have realized it herself, but her eyes shifted uneasily for a fleeting moment when she spoke of Mom, Dad, and Jesse's deaths.

A sleepy little boy wandered out and ran straight to him, all clingy. "Daddy, I wanna see my sister! Mommy said she's making potato salad and baked ribs tonight. She can't break her promise!" I stared at the kid. He looked just like Talia. All those late nights—I thought she was grinding for her career. Turns out, she was running a whole other family. And me? I'd never even had a single meal she cooked. On the table sat a fresh family photo—four of them. Talia in Danny's arms, their son beside them, their newborn in hers.

He shifted, sitting up in my lap to stare at my face, “Why don’t I have a famiwy?” The depth of the question hit me like a smack in the face and I blinked, glancing briefly at Tristan, who was as shocked as I was, before looking back to Rian, “You have Miss Maggie. She’s your family.” “No, she just wooks after me.” “That’s part of what a family is, Rian. We look out for one another, whether that is telling someone they’re not acting right, or helping them with whatever they’re doing. It’s unconditional love and speaking truths, even when it’s maybe not what they want to hear.” Tristan said as he joined us, sitting on the floor next to my leg so we were all about the same level.

A week after we arrived, Vivian signed Nico up for a small after-school class near the clinic. It was nothing like the programs in New York. No family connections. No special access. Just a rented gym, six children, and an instructor who cared more about balance than pedigree. Nico liked it immediately.

I closed my eyes, letting the last shred of my attachment to family die. "Think whatever you want. But Mom, even if you kill yourself right now, I'm still telling everyone the truth about that matcha."

Its name was 'One Big Happy Family, Expanded Edition. It included Adrian’s parents, my parents, and every aunt, uncle, and distant relative from both sides.

"I'm..." I give him my best judgmental glare. "If you say sorry again, I'm leaving this amazing date and finding Fiona so we can enjoy it together." I clasp his hand harder. "I missed you too, Oisin. You, Fiona, Liam, even Rian surprisingly. You all are my family. Living here has taught me that family is whatever we want it to be. My mother and father don't see me like you and your family does."

He looked at James, refusing to blink. James went on to read, "Family is people who weren't there for you before you were born. Or before you could talk. Or before you knew who they were. And yet they become your people. You know it because they remember your favorite snack. Or because they make you wear a jacket when it's chilly, even when you explain to them that you don't need one.". They have your birthday memorized and don't refer to a calendar. They cheer when you win and cheer even louder when you lose, so you won't feel so bad. Luke didn't utter a word initially when James was done reading. He just went over and hugged him for a second.

Together. A family.