A laugh bursts out of me. “I love it. I’m so proud of you, too. Guess we’re both doing scary, new things.”
He nods, brushing my hair out of my face and guiding medown onto my back, lying on top of me. “No one else I’d rather ride into the fire with.” He kisses me, teasing my lips apart with his tongue. “It’s us against the world, Firecracker.”
Epilogue
RAFFI
Why am I so nervous?
It’s a kid’s birthday party, for fuck’s sake.Mykid’s birthday party. It should be easy. It’s low key, all I have to do is show up and eat snacks. Literally my favorite thing in all the world to do.
Maybe because while this is Wyatt’s third birthday party, it’s only my first. There’s a big part of me that feels like I failed him by missing out on his early years. Guilt weighs heavily on me for not being there for his mom, or him.
Have I earned the right to show up to parties and eat snacks?
I’m having second thoughts.
Not about the party, but about the costume.
There are giant chalk paw prints from the sidewalk, up the drive, and along the path leading to the door. Eloise and Victoria did those at the butt crack of dawn this morning. When I tried to help, I was ushered away.
Instead, I helped Mrs. B figure out the inside. Well, once we got the balloon arch assembled outside the front door. Justinside, there’s a table with firemen hats and party favors—Firemen Dalmatian stuffies.
In the dining area, the tables are lined with hilariously titled snacks around a fire hydrant centerpiece. “Pupcorn” popcorn, “puppy chow” Chex mix, paw print cupcakes, dog bone Rice Krispies treats, paw-tato chips, cheese “ruffs,” Zuma’s water bowls—blue jello cups— cookies, all manner of candy.
It’s gonna be a great party.
The grill’s been lit out back for burgers and dogs, and the coolers are stocked.
Sure, beer isn’t the most common beverage for a kid’s birthday party, but as long as Wyatt doesn’t get drunk, we’re good.
“Ready?”
When Victoria nods, her Skye costume bobs. We both went big for this one and Wyatt freakin’ loves it. I don’t care what all my friends think about the fact I’m dressed as an oversized dog, my kid—dressed as Ryder—is over the moon.
Eloise appears offering us bottles of water. She’s dressed as Everest which tracks. Eloise is the kindest soul I’ve ever met. She would walk through fire if Wyatt asked her to, and he asked her to dress up as Everest.
Penelope is dressed as Mayor Goodway, complete with a Chickaletta chicken toy tucked under her arm. She came to drop the cake off fully kitted out in costume. Victoria’s friends are amazing.
When the doorbell rings, my stomach drops, and I brace myself for the ribbing.
My parents are the first to arrive. They’ve met Mrs. B a couple times so they’re basically old friends. They haul their gift into the house and place it next to the gift table before making a huge to-do over the birthday boy who eats it up.
When the bell rings again, my muscles tighten. It’s my friends. While I’ve seen them at school and home, I haven’t seen them as much as I’d like, or as much as I used to. I miss them.
I tug the door open, not expecting the assault on my retinas that’s waiting for me. Apollo steps in first, dressed as Chase, he’s pushing his girlfriend, Edith, in a wheelchair. She’s had a rough go of things, so seeing her out and about dressed as the pup Rex, who rocks a wheelchair too, warms my heart.
Behind them, Ares is sporting a Marshall costume. Artemis is Rocky, Scott’s Rubble, and Tate brings up the rear dressed as Mayor Humdinger.
Pretty sure I’m having a heart attack right now. That, or my heart’s growing so big in my chest there isn’t enough room for it. Each of my friends have a gift and a smile.
“Did you tell them to dress up?” Victoria nudges me out of my stupor, and I shake my head.
“They just did it themselves?” Her voice is low. Eloise is giggling, probably at how ridiculous Ares looks dressed as a cartoon character.
This might be the single best day of my life. My team has rallied around me once again, proving that we ride together, always, no matter what.
“I don’t even know what to say.” Gratitude and warmth are bubbling at the back of my throat as tears fill my eyes.
