Wrapping Lainey in a tight hug, I growl into her neck. “Baby, this is unreal. How the hell did you pull this off? I was just here!”
“Kendra was party planner extraordinaire. She loves to be bossy, you know.” I laugh and nod my head, because yeah, I do know. “And Jess organized all the fire crew. Then we coordinated the decoy grocery run so we could get everyone here. Your mom had all the birthday decorations stashed and ready for me, so everyone helped set up super fast.” Her happy smile as she finishes telling me the behind-the-scenes details makes me feel a warmth spreading in my chest.
“I love you so damn much.” I kissher, deeply and much more thoroughly than I should in a room full of people, but it’s our house and I frankly don’t give a fuck.
Whoops and whistles sound out around us. Lainey pulls back from our kiss, a deep blush staining her cheeks, and she buries her face into my chest.
I cup her face and say, “Hey, Lainey?”
“Yes, Remington?”
“You know that song about it being your birthday party?”
Nodding with a frown she asks, “Do you want to cry?”
“Nope,” I say with a playful smirk and tug her closer so she can feel the hardness behind my zipper. “But itismy party, so I’m gonna kiss you if I want to. Is that alright with you?”
I can feel her practically melt against me as she hums her consent and kisses me again, laughing behind our lips at the whoops that continue to follow.
“Are you ready for your gift?” she asks me with a shy smile.
“You are the only gift I need, baby.” I plant a kiss right under her ear, making her moan.
“As sweet as that is, I think that you are really going to like what I got for you—I hope.” Now she’s nervous, and I don’t want her second-guessing herself.
“Lainey, you know me better than anyone, so I am sure you picked me out the perfect thing.” I tuck a dark lock of her hair behind her ear.
“Eli!” Lainey shouts. Our friends move out of his way as he comes down the hallway, emerging from the spare bedroom.
Holy shit. She did not.
“Happy birthday, Remington.” Lainey grins as Eli takes up a place next to her and hands me the cutest puppy I have ever seen.
Black and brown fur, so soft and fluffy, fills mycallused hands. Little dark eyes, so deep brown they are almost black, look up at me and my heart soars. A pink tongue drops out of the puppy’s mouth to the side making it look adorably goofy. I hug him to my chest, looking to Lainey who has watery eyes.
“He is ten weeks old. A German shepherd, black lab mix. Eli helped me find him at a special rescue place that’s between Richmond and Norfolk ...” She gives Eli a side hug in thanks as he grins down at her with brotherly affection, wrapping her tightly in his arms. Giving her more of that family connection that she so deserves.
“Lainey,” my voice is rough with so many emotions, “thank you, baby. He is perfect. I love you so much. I have always wanted a dog. This is not what I was expecting at all.” The puppy licks my cheek, making us and everyone around watching laugh.
“Well, I figured that this was a perfect time to make that dream come true for you with me moving in. I work from home and can take care of him when you’re at the station without you needing to worry. Plus, he can keep me company when you aren’t home. Be my guard dog.”
I pull her into a hug, the puppy wiggling between us, making her giggle. She pets his soft head gently, kisses me, and asks, “What should we name him?”
A couple hours later I make my way outside after mingling and showing off our new puppy, Ash. I spent a lot of time eating from the spread of great food the girls had planned and enjoying having a house full of the people that I love. Locating Sutton sitting with Eli on comfortable, cushioned chairs underthe shaded oak trees in the backyard, I grin and sit in the empty spot next to her.
“I really hope that one of those is for me.” Sutton eyeballs the two plates of Lainey’s apple pie, licking her lips. I was so shocked and elated that she made me her pie instead of cake. It is also a big deal that she made extra and is allowing other people to try it. They are unsurprisingly all drooling over how delicious it is. I decided in this moment that I want this every year—the pie, not necessarily the party.
“Yes, big sis, this is special pie for you.” I hand over the plate a little reluctantly, and Sutton tugs it from my hand.
“Hey! Where’s my pie?” Eli protests.
“It’s my birthday, why should I be serving you? Go get some yourself. You have big boy legs.”
“No fighting, ugh.” Sutton grabs at her side and shifts uncomfortably. “And, Rem, need I remind you not to call your nine-month pregnant whale of a sister big?”
“You arenota whale, you are the prettiest pregnant lady I have ever seen.” Eli stands and kisses Sutton’s cheek. “Need anything else while I go get my pie?” he asks her.
“Y-yeah. UH. Sorry, my back must be bothering me from sitting in this chair for too long, and I am cramping up again. Do you guys mind if we move inside so I can sit on the couch and put my feet up? It’s also getting too hot out here.”
