The playful banter filled the air as the Pierce siblings, joined by their partners, created a lively and teasing atmosphere. Mia, the center of attention, puffed her cheeks in mock annoyance as Nyx ruffled her hair yet again.

"Stop that!" Mia huffed, attempting to fix her hair. "What is this, a competition on who gets to ruin my look first?"

Harriet smirked, her arms crossed. "You're just giving us déjà vu. Sienna pulled a similar stunt when she publicly announced her relationship with Riley. History repeats itself, huh?"

Mia rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a laugh. "Oh, someone's envious! Zoey, how about you make a grand public announcement that you're already Harriet's wife? Let's see how she likes being the center of attention."

Zoey chuckled from across the room. "Oh, please. Harriet's been pestering me non-stop at the office. At this point, the entire hospital staff probably knows we're married."

Harriet scoffed. "Pestering? You've been dodging me like I'm contagious! And don't act like you're not the one avoiding my romantic gestures at work."

Zoey shrugged, grinning. "Because you have no concept of subtlety, Doc. I told you no PDA in the office, but you just had to sneak in kisses during rounds."

Mia patted Harriet's shoulder sympathetically, feigning disappointment. "Tough luck, Doc. Guess you're stuck with a wife who doesn't tolerate workplace shenanigans."

"Whatever," Harriet muttered, though a small smile tugged at her lips.

Nyx, meanwhile, was laughing too hard to keep her composure. She gestured at Ashley, who was busy setting up their camping gear in the background. "Look at her over there, acting all calm and collected. You keep hyping her up, Mia, and she'll have an ego the size of Mount Everest."

Mia nudged Nyx with her elbow. "Oh, don't be jealous. Just because Riley and Ashley are basking in public glory doesn't mean you're any less special." She turned to Vera with a mischievous grin. "Hey, Vera, want to publicly announce your marriage to Nyx? That'll teach her."

Vera tilted her head thoughtfully. "Oh, I don't think that's necessary. Nyx already told her so-called side chicks she's married to me ages ago. Apparently, she was very proud of that fact."

Nyx groaned, throwing her hands up. "Can we not bring up the past? I don't have any side chicks nor flings anymore, for the last time!"

"'Anymore.' Nice choice of words," Vera quipped, smirking. "Don't worry. I know you're all mine now." She leaned closer and teased, "But if you ever cheat on me, Nyx Pierce, I'll trim you down to size with a nail cutter."

"That's barbaric!" Nyx exclaimed, using Mia as a human shield.

Mia burst into laughter. "You're so dead, Nyx. Just accept your fate."

"Oh, you're not helping!" Nyx protested, but she couldn't hide her grin.

Vera shook her head, her expression softening as she turned to Mia. "But seriously, I'm proud of you. You cleared your name and shut down Zachary's nonsense. That took guts."

Mia smiled, the warmth in Vera's words resonating with her. "I'm just glad it's over. I don't want to waste another moment dealing with his drama."

Vera gave her an approving nod. "Good for you. You handled it perfectly—fair and square."

Nyx groaned dramatically, trying to divert attention. "Alright, enough of this heartwarming stuff. Let's focus on the real issue here: I need protection from my wife's twisted sense of justice."

"Don't worry, Nyx," Mia teased, patting her arm. "We'll make sure your punishment is fair... and entertaining."

The group erupted in laughter, their camaraderie lighting up the atmosphere as the teasing continued well into the evening.



Ashley felt Mia's warmth as her arms wrapped snugly around her from behind, her giggles tickling Ashley's neck. Unbothered by their companions, Mia pressed small kisses along Ashley's skin, her affection unabashed. Setting her phone down on the table, Ashley reached up to hold Mia's hands, interlocking their fingers.

"What's this camping all about?" Mia murmured, her lips brushing against Ashley's neck between giggles.

Ashley shrugged, a soft laugh escaping her. "Didn't you say you wanted to go camping? Here it is. Thought I'd give you the full experience."

Mia let out a delighted squeal, burying her face into Ashley's neck to hide her flustered expression. "You spoil me too much," she mumbled, her cheeks flushing. "What would I even do if one day you stopped doing this? If you just... changed?"

Ashley scoffed lightly, her tone dripping with assurance. "That's not happening, sugarplum. I won't ever get tired of spoiling you or treating you right. So relax, okay?"

Mia's gaze drifted toward their companions. Sienna and Riley were busy tending to their twins, while Zoey and Harriet were occupied feeding Sydney. Nyx and Vera, as lively as ever, were laughing together with Shiloh perched on Vera's lap, while Nyx balanced the twins on both of hers. The campsite bustled with life and warmth.

They had brought along two camper vans, mainly for the kids and for the kids nannies, and set up a few tents for everyone to relax and sleep under the stars. As Mia took in the lively scene of their companions doting on their children, she leaned closer to Ashley, resting her chin on her shoulder.

"You know," she murmured softly, "we're the only ones here who don't have a kid."

Ashley hummed thoughtfully, her fingers intertwining with Mia's. "Do you want to have a kid?" she asked gently.

Mia nodded, her smile wistful. "Yeah. I've actually thought about adopting before," she admitted, her eyes flicking to the others. "It must be so much fun having a little one around."

Ashley's voice dropped an octave as she leaned closer. "Do you want one now?"

Mia pulled back slightly, shifting to sit sideways on Ashley's lap. Her cheeks flushed a deeper shade as she searched Ashley's face. "What about you? Do you want to have a kid?"

Ashley hesitated, chuckling nervously. "Honestly? I used to be scared of the idea. Back then, the thought of marrying a man and having kids felt suffocating, like I'd lose myself in the process." She clicked her tongue, a smile tugging at her lips. "But now... now that I'm with you, it doesn't feel so scary anymore. If it's with you, it feels right."

Mia tilted her head, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "So... have you ever thought about it seriously? Having a kid, I mean?"

Ashley let out a soft laugh, brushing a strand of hair from Mia's face. "We could. Our own kid. Though it'd take an IVF procedure since, well... I'm missing certain biological ingredients," she joked, her laugh infectious.

Mia laughed along, lightly smacking Ashley's shoulder. "We're not even married yet, and here we are planning for kids. Guess we're just jealous of everyone else here."

Ashley smirked, her voice dropping to a playful whisper. "Then treat me like your baby first." She leaned closer, her lips quirking into a mischievous grin. "You know, take care of me... breastfeed me and all that."

Mia's eyes widened in shock, her face turning crimson as she quickly clamped her hand over Ashley's mouth. "Oh my gosh, Ashley! Your mouth! Do you even think before you speak?" she hissed, glancing nervously at their companions.

Ashley's muffled laughter vibrated against Mia's hand as she shrugged, entirely unrepentant. "What? I'm just saying," she teased, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

Mia groaned, burying her face in her hands. "I'm in a relationship with a menace," she muttered, though her lips curved into a helpless smile.