Modern Family

Chapter Ten : Pumpkin Patch Adventure

Chapter Ten : Pumpkin Patch Adventure

The air was crisp with the kind of chill that made you pull your jacket a little tighter around your shoulders, but it wasn't too cold. It was just the right kind of weather for a fall outing.

The pumpkin patch was the perfect place for it, and I was more than ready for the day with the family. I was 16 weeks pregnant now—finally past the worst of the nausea and exhaustion—and I was determined to enjoy every second of this afternoon.

There was something about a pumpkin patch that made everything feel festive, even if I had to take it a little slower than I used to.

I had on my favorite black spandex leggings, the ones that stretch in all the right places, paired with a leather jacket because I was feeling a little edgy. I threw on a short-sleeve top, not too heavy, and slipped into my athletic sneakers—comfort was key these days.

I topped it off with a black baseball cap to keep my hair out of my face. Pregnancy had me feeling like I was in constant motion, trying to adjust to all the changes, but I was still me. I could still be comfortable and look cute at the same time.

Charm, Trinity, and I were already starting the day strong by snapping pictures as we posed together on a hay barrel, surrounded by pumpkins, corn stalks, scarecrows, and sunflowers.

It was the perfect fall scene, and we were making sure to document every second of it. The lighting was perfect, too—soft golden sunlight filtered through the trees, making everything look like it was straight out of an Instagram post.

As much as I loved the peaceful moments with the family, I was also looking for opportunities to tease a little. Jonathan and I were the playful ones, and sometimes I couldn't help but stir things up. So when I saw Joshua and Charm hanging out together on top of a hay pyramid, I couldn't resist.

"Kiss her!" I shouted, my camera already in position.

Joshua looked at me, a little hesitant. He seemed like he was trying to figure out if I was serious. I could tell he was a little shy about it, but Charm wasn't about to let him get away with it.

She grabbed his face and kissed him right there on top of the hay, and the whole moment felt perfect. I snapped a picture, and I could almost hear the click of the camera capturing a memory I knew they'd both cherish forever.

"See? That wasn't so hard," I said with a playful grin.

Joshua smiled back at me, a little sheepish but happy. He was always a little more reserved than Charm, but when it came to her, it was like he could let down his guard. They were so easy together, and watching them made my heart a little fuller.

After their kiss, we wandered through the patch some more. The kids were, of course, running all over the place. Amias was practically bouncing off the walls, tugging on Joshua's hand and demanding he follow him to every pumpkin and cornstalk.

It was sweet to see how much energy he had, especially when he found a goat at the animal center. There's something about goats that kids just love. They're goofy, adorable, and always seem to be ready to nibble on anything they can reach.

I caught a picture of Joshua lifting Amias onto his shoulders, and I swear, the smile on his face was so genuine. He was great with him—he adored him. Watching him dote on him made me think about the future. When our babies arrived, I hoped Joshua would be just as amazing with them as an uncle. But right now, watching him with Amias was more than enough.

I pulled out my phone and snapped a few more photos—Amias feeding the goats, Joshua kissing him on the cheek, Charm carrying Amias around in her arms as if he were the happiest kid in the world.

"Alright, this one's perfect," I said as I caught a moment of them all admiring the corn maze. "Hold still, you two!" I called out to Joshua and Charm.

They turned toward me, the look on their faces just right, and I couldn't resist making a little noise. "Kiss her!" I shouted again, still in my teasing mood.

Joshua hesitated, like before when I pushed him to be a little bolder, but Charm had no problem grabbing his face and pulling him in. I snapped the picture just as their lips met, and I could tell by the way Joshua's body relaxed that he was happy at that moment. They fit together so well. It felt like everything was falling into place for them. For us.

As the afternoon wore on, we all gathered for a little break near the pumpkin patch's cozy little animal area. I took a seat on a bale of hay and caught my breath for a second. Pregnancy wasn't exactly slowing me down, but I could tell my body was asking for a bit of a break from all the walking and photo-snapping.

My thoughts drifted for a moment, and I smiled to myself as I thought about the next chapter. We'd be adding more members to the family soon, and the thought of it still sent waves of excitement through me.

Jonathan came over and sat beside me, a look of amusement on his face. "You had them kissing in front of a hay pyramid again, huh?"

I laughed. "They needed a little push."

"Yeah, I bet," he teased, nudging me with his shoulder. "You're gonna be the reason they're always posting selfies for the rest of their lives."

"Someone has to get them out of their shells," I said with a wink. "And besides, they look good together."

Jonathan grinned, clearly not expecting anything less from me. "You're right about that."

As the day started to wind down and the sun dipped lower in the sky, I felt a sense of contentment that I hadn't realized I'd been missing. Sure, I was still getting used to the changes in my body, and my mind was constantly buzzing with all the things we needed to do before the babies arrived. But at that moment, I couldn't help but feel like everything was in the right place.

I could hear the kids laughing in the distance, and I looked over at Charm, who was smiling at me, her eyes full of affection. Joshua was walking over with Amias on his shoulders again, both of them so carefree and happy.

This was it. This was what I wanted—what I needed. A family, together, laughing, and making memories. Fall had always been a time of reflection for me, a time to take stock of everything I was grateful for. And right now, I am grateful for this family. I was grateful for the little moments that felt like they would last forever.

I took one last picture of Joshua and Charm, standing together near the pumpkin patch, with the evening light spilling across them. They were the perfect couple, and this was their moment.

And as for me? Well, I was just happy to be part of it all. I knew our little one would be joining us soon, and I couldn't wait for all the memories we'd continue to make. But for now, I'd just let the day wash over me—this was what life was all about.

"Alright, you guys ready to go?" Jonathan asked, pulling me from my thoughts.

I nodded, looking around one last time at the patch, feeling a warmth in my chest as I imagined next year, when we'd all be back again—new babies, new adventures. This was what it was all about. Family. Love. Fall.

And the best part? It was just the beginning.