Drew Starkey Imagines

Fireworks and Family - Fourth of July

A/N: I am so excited for tomorrow and to be celebrating my second favorite holiday (first being Christmas). I know what is going on in our country is devastating and there is violence everywhere but I pray we all stay safe and enjoy this weekend! Love y'all so much!

The North Carolina sun was already climbing when the day began, warm and golden, stretching across the backyard like a hug. The air was sticky-sweet with the scent of summer — sunscreen, blooming hydrangeas, and the faint trace of smoke from someone down the street already starting their grill.

Drew was home — for real this time. Not just a night off from shooting Outer Banks Season 5, but a true, uninterrupted break. One that had been circled on the calendar for weeks with little firework doodles and hearts drawn by you. July 4th meant cookouts, cannonball contests, loud laughter, watermelon, and sparklers. But most of all, it meant family — and your family was growing in the most beautiful way.

You were standing barefoot by the edge of the pool, wearing your bright blue bikini — the one Drew loved. It fit just right, hugging your curves and showing off your glowing, round baby bump, which was perfect at 29 weeks. The sunlight danced over your skin, and the slight sheen from the heat only made you look more radiant. Your belly looked almost surreal — firm, smooth, and full of life. Your daughter kicked every now and then as if she could hear the splashing and music and wanted to be part of it all.

Drew had his arm resting on the edge of the pool, watching you with that familiar smirk — the one that said you still make my heart stop after all this time. He was already in the water, shirtless, tan from the sun, with little droplets rolling down his chest as he scooped up your two-year-old son in the water. The little guy wore red swim trunks and shark floaties, his curls flattened from the pool, eyes crinkled with joy as he splashed and kicked.

"Look, Mama!" he giggled, pointing toward Drew as if to say, look at what Daddy can do. Drew grinned and lifted him high into the air before catching him with a big splash. You laughed, your hands cradling the underside of your belly, feeling that familiar tug of joy mixed with awe.

A few of the Outer Banks cast and crew had trickled in — Madelyn, Chase, and Madison were lounging on floats or playing water volleyball. Your siblings were on snack duty, bringing out bowls of chips and fruit. A couple neighbors joined with their kids too, making it a full backyard of love, chaos, and cannonballs. Your backyard was transformed into a summer paradise — streamers in red, white, and blue strung along the fence, beach towels hung across chairs, coolers full of sparkling water, beer, and juice boxes.

"Babe, come in!" Drew called from the shallow end, water dripping from his hair. "Even the baby wants in. She told me."

You rolled your eyes playfully, but you did wade in, the cool water feeling amazing against your swollen feet and warm skin. Drew immediately came to you, his hands gently wrapping around your waist, dipping just under the water to press against the sides of your belly. "Hi, baby girl," he whispered to your bump. "Hope you're loving your first Fourth of July in there."

Your son paddled up, holding onto Drew's shoulder and giggling. You all stayed in the pool for hours — floating, splashing, laughing. You'd brought waterproof sunscreen just for your bump, which had become the star of the show. Everyone wanted to feel her kick. It was pure joy — the kind that sticks in your heart like sunlight.

As the afternoon started to fade and the shadows grew longer, you headed inside to change. Your skin was sun-kissed and glowing, and you slipped into a soft white cotton midi dress with tiny red flowers on it. Your bump stretched it just right, and you added a denim jacket that you left open. Comfy sandals completed the look. You ran a hand through your damp hair, letting it air dry in loose waves.

Drew, now changed into a faded blue T-shirt and khaki shorts, was at the grill, flipping burgers and hot dogs like a pro. He had on his novelty apron — "Grill Master & Baby Maker" — a Father's Day gift you'd given him that made everyone laugh every time he wore it.

"Alright, who wants charred, who wants juicy, and who just wants ketchup?" he called out, tongs in hand, laughing as your son tried to help him by "taste-testing" a plain hot dog bun.

You wandered over, the air now filled with the mouthwatering smell of sizzling meat and charcoal, and rested your hands on the top of your bump, standing close as Drew expertly flipped a patty.

He looked over his shoulder and asked, "Baby, you want cheddar or American on your burger?"

You tilted your head, pretending to consider. "Cheddar... and two hot dogs."

He raised an eyebrow, grinning. "Two?"

"I'm eating for two," you said with a smirk, your hand protectively cradling your belly.

Drew just shook his head slowly, that grin softening into something so tender it made your heart stutter. It was the look he gave you when he was totally undone — full of pride, adoration, and the kind of love that went deeper than words. He leaned in, pressing a kiss to your cheek. "You're everything, you know that?"

Your smile widened. "I know. But I like hearing it anyway."

The long picnic table was covered in a checkered cloth, lined with bowls of potato salad, coleslaw, grilled corn, baked beans, watermelon wedges, and deviled eggs. You piled your plate high — your cravings were strong lately, and you weren't shy about it.

You sat beside Drew, your legs brushing under the table. Your son sat in a booster seat beside you, munching on his hot dog and clapping every time a firecracker went off in the distance.

"Can't believe next year we'll have two little ones at this table," Drew said softly, looking over at you while sipping from a glass bottle of root beer.

You smiled and rested your hand on your belly. "Can't believe we ever lived without her."

Dinner turned into dessert — trays of s'mores supplies, lemon bars, and popsicles for the kids. Everyone was full and happy, lounging on blankets in the grass or reclining in lawn chairs. You lay back, your head in Drew's lap, your belly rising and falling gently as he traced slow circles on it with his fingertips. The two of you watched in joy as your son ran around chasing lightning bugs.

As night fell, you helped your son into his little PJs — navy with white stars — and carefully placed his noise-canceling headphones over his ears to protect them. He was yawning but fighting sleep, determined not to miss the fireworks.

And then they began.

The sky lit up in a cascade of red, white, and blue. You stood with Drew and your son near the edge of the yard, looking up in awe. Your son was nestled against Drew's chest, safe in his strong arms, fingers clutching tightly to Drew's shirt as he looked up at the sparkling sky. He didn't cry, didn't flinch — just watched with wide, dazzled eyes, protected and calm.

Drew wrapped his free arm around your waist, pulling you close. His palm slid over your bump, right as your daughter gave a soft kick — as if she were watching too.

In that moment — under the exploding sky, wrapped in Drew's arms, your son snuggled safe, and your daughter tucked warmly inside you — you felt everything align. The perfect summer day, the perfect little family, and a future bursting with more love than you ever thought possible.

Drew leaned down and whispered, "This is my favorite version of life. You. Him. Her. Us."

You smiled, your eyes glistening as you whispered back, "Mine too."