Friendly party

Sarah picked up a slice of veggie pizza, held it out to Julie:

“Julie, I made this one myself, wild Montana mushrooms, try it!”

Julie held Smith up on her lap with one hand, grabbed the pizza with the other, and took a big bite.

“Wow, Sarah! This is better than the Italian restaurant in Helena!”

Lucy leaned over the couch opposite, swirling her smoothie glass:

“Angela, are you still making your mom’s apple pie recipe? I’m still dreaming about that Christmas cake from last year.”

Angela laughed, calling from the kitchen: “Yeah, but I added more cinnamon this time! I’ll put a slice in the dish for you later.”

Sarah looked at Smith, her smile softening:

“Smith, what are you doing? Do you like mushrooms or do you only eat pepperoni pizza?”

Smith, still red, mumbled in Julie’s lap: “I… vegetables are good…”

Julie laughed, putting a slice of pizza in front of her mouth: “Eat, little one. Your Auntie June says that wild mushrooms in Montana give you architectural energy!”

Lucy took a picture with her phone, no flash:

“This moment must be recorded. **Auntie June Smith in Julie’s lap, with mushroom pizza!**”

Angela returned from the kitchen, placing a plate of fresh chocolate chip cookies on the table:

“Sarah, how’s your new graphic design project? That logo for the new Bozeman cafe?”

Sarah nodded: “Yeah, the client wants something **minimal but warm**. I’m playing with the handwritten font.”

Julie reached under Smith's hoodie, gently caressing his waist, her fingers moving like a warm blanket. Smith stiffened a little at first, but then, unconsciously, he rested his head on Julie's shoulder.

**The same hug he had always hated…**

But now, in this warm gathering, with the sound of Sarah's laughter, Lucy's heavy gaze, the smell of Angela's cake, and Julie's hand gently caressing him…

**It had become the safest place in the world**.

Julie planted a soft kiss on Smith's hair, murmuring under her breath:

"See? Your aunt is always right."

Smith just closed his eyes, a small smile forming at the corner of his lips.

And the party went on…