Finally, my dad was pulling up.
“Kids, I know you’re tired, but I need some assistance over here,” I said. “Dylan, please scramble the eggs. Hallie, can you mash the avocado and cut up the tomatoes?”
The bacon needed a few more minutes.
“Yup, yup,” Hallie yawned and came over. “Do we have lime?”
“There should be one in the fruit bowl,” I replied.
“But it’s all hard and dry.” She grimaced.
I grabbed it for her. “Even better. It’ll be sweeter. See this? When the peel has hardened—but there’s no mold, no mushiness—it’s still good. You’ve seen Nana’s citrus bowl, haven’t you?”
She normally soaked up everything Nana preached, but given the early hour, I couldn’t fault my daughter for being tapped out.
I left the kitchen and checked to make sure Ash was still asleep before I went to get the door.
True enough, Lily was passed out in Dad’s arms, still in her pajamas.
“Mornin’, son.”
“Good morning, Dad.” I smiled and grabbed her as gently as I could, positioning her on my hip so she could use my shoulder as a pillow. “I take it she was no trouble?”
“Never is.” He brought out an envelope from his back pocket and extended it. “This is for Ash. We assume there will be a family get-together at some point?”
“Yeah, of course.” Knowing him, it would be something related to golf or fishing. “I’ll get back to you with a date.”
He nodded with a dip of his chin, then eyed me a little. “You seem to be in a brighter mood.”
I grinned. “I am.” And I would tell him all about it soon.
“Daddy, I’m sleepy,” Lily whined.
“I know, baby, but you can fall asleep again in Daddies’ bed as soon as we’re done singing to him.” I inspected the breakfast trays while she glued herself to my leg.Okay, let’s see.Avocado toast, crispy bacon, scrambled eggs, toast with preserves, some blueberry muffins, fresh coffee, strawberries—the toaster waffles popped up right then and there, so Dylan placed themon the tray with the most space available. Apple wedges, some cheese, Lily’s grapes, which were her latest obsession, milk, OJ, and whipped cream. “I think we’re ready.”
Lily yawned. “I’ve never seen Daddy sleep.”
Oh, she had, but it’d been quite a while.
“Everyone, grab your gifts.” I handed over one tray to Hallie and one to Dylan. Then I picked up the biggest one, and we walked out of the kitchen. Well, Lily tagged along, planted firmly on my right foot. I exchanged a quick look with Hallie and Micah in the hallway before I started singing. “Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you…”
The kids filed in, with Micah singing louder than everyone.
Ash was stirring and rolling over.
“Happy birthday, dear Dad…happy birthday to you!”
Lily bolted for the pullout and jumped up on it. “Wake up, Daddy. It’s your birthday! I wanna sleep!”
He rumbled a drowsy chuckle and yanked the girl to him. “You’re gonna sleep on my birthday? Huh?”
“Yes!”
“Let’s make room for breakfast and gifts, everyone.” Unless we wanted breakfast trays to go flying, I had to be strict here. So while the children wished Ash a happy birthday, I directed where they could sit and where the trays went.
Ash dragged himself up to lean back against the cushions, Lily ended up next to him, I took my spot on my side, where I could keep two trays, and Dylan, Micah, and Hallie shared the lower half.
“Ain’t this a sight for sore eyes,” Ash murmured.
