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“Sure, everything is fun and games until one of you pulls a prank, and then I have to find ways to make you pay,” I joke.
Usually, the one who made them pay for the pranks they pulled on me was Archer. He had a lot of fun doing so.
Jude jokes, “It’s your birthday. We would never do that on your special day. Now tomorrow…”
“Stop it.” Gabe slaps Jude on the arm before directing me to the main door of what could possibly be my new studio.
But do I need a studio?
As I step inside, I don’t know what to expect. Definitely not my family saying, “Surprise!”
Mom and my dads are right by the entrance with streamers and party hats.
“Happy birthday, sweetheart,” Mom says, giving me a hug.
“This is a wonderful surprise.”
“You think we wouldn’t spend the day with you?”
“Happy birthday, Ladybug.” Dad hugs me. “I can’t believe it’s been twenty-four years since you came to brighten our world.”
“But I can,” Pa says, taking me into his arms. “You’re the best wedding present your mom could give us.”
“TMI, Pa,” I complain.
The last thing we need is to hear the details of my parents’ coupling. The three can tell us exactly where we were conceived. It’s crazy and… maybe, in a way, sweet. They remember everything that’s happened between them.
“You okay?” Mom asks, snapping me out of my trance.
I nod. “This is an amazing surprise,” I say, looking around.
“Piper!” Teddy, Archer’s youngest sister, runs toward me. “It’s been so long since I last saw you.”
Thankfully, her brothers come to my rescue. I don’t want to discuss Archer. Though we text often, I’ve avoided the one thing we have in common—Arch. Kingston, Myles, Zach, and Burke are here. Fletcher couldn’t make it. His team wouldn’t allow him to skip a practice.
It’s great to see them. Their cousin, Lang, approaches, giving me not just a side hug but a present too. He and I see each other often since he lives close to the penthouse.
When the St. James matriarch approaches, I stiffen. We haven’t seen each other in months. Too many of them. I love her, but it’s hard to want to see someone who’s written her son off from the moment we heard he went missing.
“You’re still wearing the ring?” Florence takes my hand. I carefully move it away before she demands I give it back. “It’s been too long. Maybe you should move on, dear.”
Mom slings an arm around me. “He’s reported missing, not dead,” she says.
“You don’t think that—”
“Yes. I believe he’s still alive,” I say, lifting my chin. “It’s a matter of wanting to believe and knowing the facts. That’s why I refused to go to his funeral and why we had a party at my grandparents’ to celebrate his birthday. He’ll be back.”
“It was a great party,” Kingston announces. “Myles recorded it. We want Archer to see it.”
“Don’t you think that’s unhealthy?” Florence asks. “A therapist—”
“I am a therapist,” Mom interrupts her. “Even if Archer were dead, celebrating his life seems like a healthy way to remember him. I don’t see why we must stop doing what he loves most.”
Florence opens her mouth and then closes it.
“Piper, happy birthday.” Donovan St. James approaches us. “I’m sorry to arrive late, but I couldn’t leave Boston before my breakfast meeting.”
“It’s good to see you,” I say, hoping he doesn’t get into a heated argument with his ex-wife.
