AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I shrug and laugh. “I guess we’ll wait and see when noon rolls around.”
Aspen comes to see the benefit of the planners, despite her initial disappointment. “So we don’t have to do anything at all?” she says, wriggling an eyebrow.
“You probably should get dressed,” I tease, noting that she’s still in her pajamas and slippers. “I mean.”
She’s dumbfounded by the display in the backyard, balloons and streamers everywhere, a different setup in each corner as new people join the team.
“There’s a magician!” she cries, pointing out the window. “And a juggler!”
Her enthusiasm makes me laugh. “You act like you’ve never had a birthday party.”
Her smile falters. “I… was in the system.”
I wince, hanging my head in shame. There was no reason for her to tell me that again, for her to bring up those painful memories when I already knew that.
“I’m sorry. Bringing that up… I didn’t mean to?—”
“It’s fine. I’m fine,” she insists, putting her hand on my chest. “I’m just so excited to see what this becomes. Lily deserves every moment, and I’m so happy I get to be a part of it.” She leans in confidentially. “Is it wrong that I kind of hope there are goats?”
“Those things really make a mess,” I sigh, but for her sake and Lily’s, I hope so, too.
By noon, we’re both dressed, and the neighbors arrive with their gifts and platitudes. Pike still hasn’t materialized, and Aspen volunteers to go find him.
“Knowing Pike, he’s avoiding the crowds,” she whispers to me. I smile affectionately at her.
How well she knows us.
Zoe and Ryan join us with the girl of the hour, a glittery crystal tiara on her head.
“Happy birthday, Lily!” the guests coo, and she relishes the attention as I grin like an idiot. I had nothing to do with any of this, and yet I can’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment as I watch the five-year-old prance about, playing the perfect hostess for the neighbors.
The barista from Brewtiful Bean Café arrives with her young son and hands me a bag of homebrew.
“For your espresso machine,” she informs me.
“You’re a goddess,” I sigh.
The proprietor of the ice cream shop rolls in an entire tub of cookies n’ cream ice cream. Lily shrieks aloud, startling Irma, who scolds the juggler nearby.
“W-where are we going to put that?!” Aspen cries as I howl with laughter.
“I guess we’ll just have to eat it all before it melts,” Lily suggests innocently.
A flock of little bodies flood our yard with their parents, and I make the rounds with Aspen and Caden.
Allister shows up around one, looking frazzled.
“I keep forgetting which house is yours,” my brother grumbles, snatching a beer from the ice bucket.
“Nice to see you, too, Al. Did you say hi to your niece?” Allister gives me an odd look, and I glower at him.
“I bought her one of those make-up dolls that all the kids are playing with. Or at least that’s what the woman at the toy store said.”
“Thanks, Al.”
I see Aspen hurrying toward me, her face gaunt. “We might have a slight problem,” she says as my brother turns to look at her.
“Who is this?” Allister asks, eying me.
