The words "High School Reunion" sounded so simple on the invitation.Elegant, harmless… almost peaceful.
But reality?Reality was me, standing in front of the mirror in a half-ironed dress, with one hand holding mascara and the other holding a squirming baby who thought my necklace was a chew toy.
"Peryn!" I yelled. "Where's Sam? And where's the diaper bag?"
"Sam's putting on his shoes!" came the muffled reply from the living room. "And the diaper bag is… uh… being reorganized."
Translation: he forgot it.
I sighed, balancing Ava on my hip. "You had one job, Super Dad."
He appeared in the doorway a second later, tie crooked, smile way too confident for a man who just got caught. "Correction: I had three jobs — diaper bag, car keys, and snacks. I got two out of three, which is still a passing grade."
"Snacks don't count if they're your cookies."
"They count emotionally," he shot back.
Before I could respond, Sam came racing in wearing mismatched socks and a grin that could melt anyone's anger."Mommy! Daddy said we're going to your school today! Are there swings?"
"Not exactly," I said, strapping Ava's bag across my shoulder. "It's a reunion, sweetheart. Mommy and Daddy are going to meet their old friends."
He tilted his head. "So, like… your grown-up playdate?"
Peryn chuckled. "Pretty much."
By the time we reached the school gym, I was already sweating and Ava had decided that her blanket was overrated and her drool was fashion.The minute we stepped inside, a swarm of familiar faces came at us.
"Is that Peryn?!""Oh my gosh, you two actually got married?!""And… kids?! Already?!"
I smiled politely, whispering to Peryn, "We're officially the 'responsible adults' now. Congratulations, Grandpa."
"Hey," he whispered back, smirking, "still the hottest grandpa in the gym, though."
I elbowed him, but couldn't hide my laugh.
Sam tugged on my hand, looking around the decorated gym. "Mommy, is this where you and Daddy fell in love?"
Peryn grinned. "Actually, this is where Mommy ignored me for a whole semester."
I groaned. "Because you never stopped talking!"
A few people nearby laughed — apparently, some things never changed.
Then, the moment came.Sam spotted the dessert table.His eyes widened like he'd just discovered treasure.
"Mommy… is that… chocolate fountain?!"
Before either of us could stop him, he bolted — a six-year-old blur of energy and sugar lust.
"Sam, no—!"
Too late. He reached it, tried to dip a marshmallow… and somehow managed to knock the entire chocolate fountain off the table.
It crashed in glorious slow motion.Chocolate splattered everywhere — the tablecloth, the floor, and, unfortunately, one teacher's white shirt.
Peryn froze beside me. "...He's your son."
"He's your clone," I hissed.
Ava, safely in my arms, chose that exact moment to giggle and blow a spit bubble.
The entire room burst into laughter.
And honestly?I couldn't even be mad.
Peryn sighed dramatically, rolling up his sleeves. "Alright, clean-up crew, assemble. Super Dad's on duty."
As he knelt to help, Sam looked up guiltily. "Sorry, Daddy… I just wanted to make it look like home."
Peryn smiled, pulling him into a chocolatey hug. "Well, mission accomplished, champ."
Later, after the chaos died down, we stood outside as the sun dipped low over the school field.Ava was asleep in her stroller, Sam munching on a cookie (from the uncontaminated batch).
Peryn slipped his arm around me. "You know, when I imagined bringing our kids here, I didn't picture… that."
I laughed softly. "Oh, come on. It's a tradition. We met here, annoyed everyone here, and now our kid has officially made a mess here. Full circle."
He chuckled. "You're right. Same school, same chaos, same love story — just with more drool and sugar."
I smiled, watching Sam run ahead of us on the old pavement, his laughter echoing in the evening air.
And as I leaned my head on Peryn's shoulder, I thought—maybe this was exactly how it was meant to be.
Messy. Loud. Beautiful.
The kind of life that fills your heart, not your ears.