Page 150 of Kylie

While spending time with family was one of our greatest traditions, we felt it was important to give the kids the individual attention they craved on their special day. Or on the weekend before, since the kids had school and Travis and Gage had work. Although I was sure the kids wouldn’t mind staying home on their birthday, it was easier to avoid a disruption to the week.

This year, I was happy to say that Kate hadn’t wanted a bounce house or a slumber party. Having a houseful was fine and all, but since I was still getting my bearings, all that noise could be a bit overwhelming. Sure, I was working through that, but still. I certainly didn’t mind leaving the mess for someone else to clean up. And this year, the nice folks at the skating rink would have that honor.

I had set out to make this event relatively small, but Kate had insisted that Mason come. Since Kaleb and Zoey’s oldest also had three younger brothers who were old enough to skate, I knew we couldn’t invite one and not the others. Sawyer and Kennedy’s two boys were old enough, so we added them to the list. All three of Braydon and Jessie’s, plus both of Brendon’s boys, were also old enough. We couldn’t leave out Ethan and Beau’s triplets because, while they were three, they’d been strapping on skates almost since the time they could stand up. At least according to Beau. And that left Zane and V’s four boys, three of whom were old enough.

What I had intended to be a small outing had turned into a large gathering with some of the grandparents tagging along to assist. Lorrie and Curtis, my dad and Melissa, and V’s mother, Regina. Plus Kennedy’s dad. Very rarely did Jeff miss out on anything his grandsons did. And that meant Jeff’s husband Mack was tagging along.

Needless to say, it was a good thing we’d rented the big room at the skating rink for the party because we needed it.

Due to my weak leg, I couldn’t strap on skates this year, but I didn’t mind. I found great pleasure in standing back and watching everyone else attempt to remain upright on wheels.

“You doin’ okay?”

Glancing over, I smiled at Curtis as he took a seat on the wooden bench beside me. “I am. You?”

“It’s quite the shindig.”

I chuckled. “Yeah. I think it turned out okay.”

Curtis leaned in. “Maybe not for everyone.”

I frowned, my gaze instantly scanning my surroundings, searching for an upset kid.

“Oh, no,” I muttered when I saw Avery sitting in a corner, her eyes red.

“She hasn’t been there long,” Curtis assured me.

“I’ll go talk to her.” I patted his arm. “Thank you for lettin’ me know.”

While he went one way, I went the other, making a beeline for my daughter. I weaved between kids, dodging some pinwheeling arms as they attempted to stay upright even on the carpet.

Finally, I made it over to Avery.

“Mind if I join you?” I asked, smiling.

She looked up at me but didn’t say a word. I took that as a yes and sat down on the long wooden bench beside her.

“What’s goin’ on ?” I prompted, hoping she would open up.

“Nothin’.”

“You look sad.”

“I’m not,” she insisted.

“Oh. Okay.” I pretended to shift my attention back to all the skaters.

I was impressed. At five, Avery managed to keep her sadness to herself for the better part of two minutes. But then she folded.

“How come you didn’t come to my birthday, but you came to Kate’s?”

Peering over, I scanned my daughter’s sweet face. It sucked that I had an easy answer, but I couldn’t share it with her. I didn’t think that telling this innocent five-year-old that I had been kidnapped and imprisoned was going to make the situation any easier. As far as Avery was concerned, I hadn’t been there, and now I was. It was as simple as that. And from her perspective, she wasn’t wrong. While I never would’ve missed a single day if I could’ve helped it, any reason I gave her would’ve sounded like an excuse.

I already knew because I’d gone through Gage’s photos at least three dozen times, I asked anyway. “What did you do on your birthday?”

“We got a bounce house.”

“Was it giant?” I smiled.