All of my favorite people in one place, in my cafe behaving like…family.
Was there no end to the joy that filled me? In a day or two, I would crash and sleep on Rowan’s lap for hours until I recharged.
My bouts of depression wouldn’t magically go away, but I had someone to ride the worst waves with me, and that helped me make peace with carrying my trauma but not letting it stop me from living my life to the fullest.
And now, I was bursting with sunshine.
I swallowed hard and held onto Rowan’s arm. It was happening. “I’d be less stressed if it was our wedding.” I chuckled nervously.
“Then that could be our next party.” He kissed my temple. “Are you ready to go in?”
I nodded, still processing what he’d just said.
Taking a deep breath, I opened the door, and all the guests swivelled around to face me.
“Happy Birthday!” They shouted in unison.
My shaking hands became steadier with every hug and smile.
“Come sit, Lo-lo.” Ethel took my arm and directed me to an armchair. “Don’t overthink it. Enjoy it.” She patted my cheek and handed me a scrapbook album.
The thick, black, pages inside it were filled with pictures of me as a baby with my parents, but this book didn’t stop there, it continued through my teenage years with Ethel and Anabelle and ended with Rowan and me at the bake-off.
“Thank you, Ettie. I’ll cherish it.”
“Oh, and this,” she added, holding a hand made bracelet.
I read what the beads spelled. “Rolo forever.”
“That’s your ship name.” She grinned. “From your first names mashed together.”
“You’re the best.” I slipped the bracelet onto my wrist.
Nina and Bob approached next and gave me a simple white envelope. I opened it and glared at them playfully. “Not pricey gifts, remember?”
Nina waved a hand. “We have a discount for these.”
I showed Rowan the two tickets for a cruise to the Caribbean Islands and hugged his parents. “This will be an awesome trip. Thank you both.”
Raina and Troy gave me a framed canvass print of Rowan and me dancing at their wedding. Sophia got me a pillow with Rowan’s face on it. “For when he is away on business or to use at work to either hug or scream into,” she said with a grin.
She knew me so well.
Ruben and Riley handed me two cinema passes to indie movie festivals around the country.
I hugged them to my chest. “We’ll have so much travelling to do. This is so cool. Thanks.”
Everyone turned to Rowan, who stood like a child vibrating with excitement. “About my gift…” He took my hands and pulled me to my feet. “Keep an open mind.”
“Okay.” My stomach swooped with anticipation. “What is it?” I followed Rowan to the corner where the armchairs stood in a circle.
I gasped, my hand flying to my chest, the other one squeezing Rowan’s.
In the round space the chairs created lay a fluffy blanket, and on it, a sleeping pug.
My eyes filled with tears as I looked up at Rowan. “You got me a puppy?”
“This is Rolo. Ethel helped me pick the name for her.”
