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Maia
I look around the party, positive I’ve forgotten something, but it’s probably just my frazzled brain.
“Relax. She’s going to love this,” Braden says.
“I hope so,” I whisper. She might actually care a bit this year. She at least cares about the freaking unicorns.
“Okay, I think we’re ready for presents,” my mom says.
“Wanna do what we did last year?” I ask. “I’ll help her open, you cut all the stuff out, my mom can note what we got?”
His brow furrows, and he looks across the room. “Actually, I have a better idea.” He walks over to Vince as I follow, surprised. “Hey. We could use an extra hand with all the presents and stuff. Why don’t you join us?”
Eyes wide, a small smile appears on my face.
“You sure?” Vince asks, not wanting to take anything away from him.
“This is what it’s going to be like from here on out. You should be up there with us.”
“Thanks,” Vince says, rising from his chair.
I watch them walk back to the table, unable to move.
“Mai?” Vince calls.
Oh, right. Things to do.
I hurry back over to the table and take Harper from my mom. Looking at Vince, I say, “You can hand us presents and note who they’re from, I’ll help with the wrapping paper, and Braden can rip them all open when she yells. Sound good?”
Vince and Braden both nod, and we get started.
We go through present after present. Harper fusses over the wrapping paper, screeches over the present, then forgets about it before Braden has it open.
“Uh, I’m not sure who this one is from,” Vince says.
I look down at the tag and then smile. Leaning over, I whisper who it’s from in his ear. He smiles brightly.
I slide it in front of Braden. “I think you should be the one to help her open that.” He furrows his brow, but then looks at the tag, which readsFirecracker. He glances over at Leigh, who winks at him.
He helps Harper unwrap the present—a set of board books featuringGuess How Much I Love Youand several others by the same author featuring the same characters. There’s also a matching stuffed bunny.
“Bunny!” Harper shrieks, grabbing it and kissing it. I’m happy my mom captures a photo of that exact moment.
I watch as Braden reads a note that was in the present. Then he clears his throat and smiles. “You like that, baby girl?”
“Bunny,” Harper says again, refusing to let it go. Braden smiles brightly and his eyes go back to the note. It’s clear how much this girl means to him. It creates a strange swell of emotions in my chest, but mostly, I’m just happy for him. He deserves that happiness.
After presents are done, we move on to Harper’s favorite thing—cake. Specifically, the frosting. I put double the amount on the mini-cake I made her. It’s also decorated as a unicorn, which makes Harper screech with joy.
Braden and I have to hold her back as we all sing happy birthday. Then we let her go, and just like last year, she dives in face first.
We all laugh, and my mom instructs Braden, Vince, and me to lean in around Harper. She snaps a picture and I’m filled with gratitude.
This is what I wanted for last year. While there were some nice moments, they were masking a lot of pain and complications. Today feels honest, genuine.
I glance over at my dad, who winks at me—reading my mind like always. He told me it would be okay, eventually. I shouldn’t be surprised he was right.
When Harper has devoured most of the frosting, she starts screeching. A moment later, Hunter starts crying. Nothing’s ever perfect—not for long, at least—but today is amazing, and I’m going to enjoy every second of it.
