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The couple snickered, and Joan said, “Actually, we're here for Lexi's birthday party. I told Eddie and CJ they should give you a heads-up, but they're a couple of knuckleheads and didn't listen.”
“I…don't understand.”
Eddie opened the storm door, and I stepped back. As he passed me, he leaned in and whispered, “I think my bestie was trying to surprise you as much as your little girl.”
“But—” I cut off, distracted by three vehicles rolling to a stop across the street.
Eddie tipped his head toward them. “That would be CJ's family. I hope you're ready. They’re a loud bunch.” Then he grabbed Joan's hand and tugged her through the door and down the hall.
“What the hell is going on,” I muttered to myself.
A trio of giant men helped an older woman, two ladies somewhere between my age and CJ’s, and five young boys out of the vehicles. As I stood there watching, another two SUVs pulled up, and another older woman with two more couples and three kids between them emerged. They all congregated at the end of the driveway. “CJ”, I called. Even I heard the wobble in my voice.
Before I knew it, he was standing next to me with a big grin on his face. “Oh, good. My family’s here.”
I tilted my head back and gaped at him. “Your family?”
“Yep. I wanted Lexi's birthday to be special, so I invited my parents, my siblings and nephews, my aunt, her kids, and grandkids, and if I'm not mistaken, George invited the people from your team at work. We’re having a real birthday party for our girl.”
My mouth fell open. With his index finger, CJ gently pushed under my chin. “Don’t want to catch flies. You're not doing this alone anymore, Kevin. It might feel a little overwhelming at first, but you’ll get used to it.”
“Christopher James, open that door.”
“You got it, Mama.” The first older woman approached him, and he bent down, kissing her cheek. She turned from him to me with a blinding smile and held out both hands. Mindlessly, I took them in mine. “You must be Kevin. I can't wait to get to know you better.”
I blinked. “I am. Me, too, ma'am.”
She let my hands go and patted my chest, smiling softly up at me. CJ might have gotten his height from the man I pegged as his father, but there was no question that his sweet smile and bright blue eyes came from his mother.
“You can call me Daisy for now, honey. I'll introduce the rest of these hellions to you once we’re all settled. I know your little miss should be here soon, so we don't want to ruin the surprise by standing all out in the open.” She waved back at the crew who’d shown up with her. “Come on.” The three tall men, who were unmistakably CJ's father and brothers, followed behind her with their wives and children, nodding a greeting as they passed.
Next came the other older woman who resembled Daisy. She held out her hand. “Hello, Kevin. I'm Aunt Barb, and these are my girls, their husbands, and my grandchildren. Don't worry though”—she squeezed my hand gently—“we told Barry he's not invited.”
My gaze went to CJ, panicked. CJ and the younger men all laughed, and it sounded like cannons going off on my front porch. Barb told them to hustle in, and CJ high-fived the kids and gave hugs as they made their way in.
Once we were the only ones left, he waggled his eyebrows. “It's going to be a fun day.”
My coworkers and George’s children arrived next, and CJ, his mom, and my mom bustled around the kitchen setting everyone up with drinks and finger foods I hadn’t even noticed him preparing. I felt relief when I heard George yell, “Anyone home?”
The room went silent as I ran down the hall. I appreciated everything that CJ had done for this party, but I wasn’t too sure how Lexi would react to all of these people in our home. Especially since so many of them were strangers. “Daddy!”
“Hey, Lex-Lex.” I reached down for her, picked her up, and glanced nervously at Margie and George. They nodded at me encouragingly, so I continued, “We have company today.”
“For my burfday?”
“Um. Yes.”
“Where’s CJ?”
“I’m right here, leprechaun.” He came down the hall with one hand behind his back. “Did you have fun with Uncle George and Aunt Margie?”
Lexi’s black curls bounced as she giggled, her whole body shaking. “I not lepkerkan, CJ. I’m Lexi.”
He snapped his fingers of the visible hand. “That’s right. Silly me.”
She rolled her eyes. “Are we having a party for my burfday?”
From behind his back, he produced a red birthday hat with Lightning McQueen on it. “That’s right. Want a hat?”
