Chapter 45
45 Let's Party! (Winona)
Anne made a unicorn cake and it looks stunning on the table and Phillip has managed to fill all the snack bowls, make sure the place is fresh and dust free, and is standing here with a coffee in hand for me. My lounge area has been transformed to party central. My hands feel jittery as I take it from him. "This room looks fabulous. Abby will just love it. I hope she's well enough to sit on her throne and open her presents with us." I'd hired her a golden velvet throne for the day.
"I'm sure she will. You know how she loves unwrapping gifts." Anne says with a big smile.
"I laugh. "Yes, and then she'll play with all the boxes they come in instead of the toys."
"I know. I got her the biggest boxed one I could find for that reason," Phillip adds in.
"That bike with the handle for us to push her along will be perfect for walks. She'll feel like she's really riding, and we can take over when she gets tired," I agree.
"She needs fresh air and sun to help her recover, we'll make sure she gets it'
"We may need to drive out of the city, but we can do that." I hope we can because I'm going to be so busy when I start this new job. I will talk to Jayden about regular time off.
"I'll leave you to it. Bit crowded here for me today. I'll be back tomorrow morning. So feel free to party
hard later." Anne smiles.
"Thanks for your help and the beautiful cake." I kiss her cheek as she leaves.
I sip my coffee. This will be the first time I've ever willingly invited Judy and Ashlyn into my home. I'll never trust them but I'm hoping they are satisfied enough to leave me alone. They have what they want. Jayden under their control. Jayden and Ashlyn are arriving early. The doorbell rings and I look at Phillip. "Guess it's time."
He nods.
I go and open the front door and the happy couple are there, looking spectacular in casual clothes. I mean, they are almost matching. I'm glad Lisa hasn't arrived yet, I can almost hear her snickering in my head. "Hey." I greet them. "You ready for the
in day?
Jayden smiles that smile and my heart bounces as he says, "born ready."
Jesus, has he forgotten he used to say that after we'd well, after he should've been spent and asleep but then we'd do it all over again.
1 ignore it and step back to invite them in. "I hear congratulations are in order." I smile at Ashlyn as she goes past me.
I can be the bigger person here.
"Thank you. It just felt right, you know. Now we'll be a proper family, all sharing the same surname."
£5 Let's Partyi
I nod and ignore her dig. "Motherhood is the hardest job of all but the most rewarding. It's so amazing to have this little human that depends on you for everything."
"I'm sure." Ashlyn snips back.
Okay then girl, play it like that.
Jayden is already pacing the room. "It's too early in the day for a beer, isn't it?",
Phillip laughs. "If it was just us, I'd say no. But I think this is an alcohol-free event until dinner time."
The doorbell rings and Phillip says he will go.
"I'm just so keyed up." Jayden looks as nervous as I feel.
"This is a big day, but we can just play it cool. Let's get you and Abby in the same room together and see
where that leads. Kids can be very unpredictable." I added to calm him down.
"No problem," Jayden says.
"Take a seat," I say but they don't.
Next minute two delivery men with trolleys wheel in one very huge box on one trolley, four times the size of Phillip's gift, and the other has about fifty smaller boxes, various sizes on the other trolley. "What on earth? Where are we going to stack all of those?" I gasp at the load.
"Ah, my gifts are here," Jayden says. "No problem. I can make room. Let's just move this one back here" He points at Phillip's gift. "and all of mine can go there in front of it."
The couriers slide Phillip's big gift to the back.
Phillip steps forward. "That's my gift to Abby. It can stay at the front." He directs the courier. "Sit the others behind it."
They move the big box to the front again.Property © NôvelDrama.Org.
Jayden laughs. "Cool joke, bro, Mine needs more space so it's easier to move yours back." He waves his hands at the men..
The delivery guys push the box back again and go to unload,
"Ah no. Nope. Hard nope on that." Phillip steps up again, "My gift stays at the front. He glares at Jayden.
Jayden glares back at Phillip. Oh boy, this is getting out of hand.
"Fellas, just dump them off there. We'll sort it out." I instruct them and they look relieved and pull their trolleys out from the boxes and head back out the front door.
I'm not sure what to do about the situation brewing. Do I tell them to stop, or do I let them sort it out between themselves?
"It's the biggest doll house I could find with all the accessories. I figured it would keep her occupied while che recuperates at home," Jayden announces proudly.
"I got her a push bike we can operate from behind because doc says she needs fresh air and the sun," Phillip counters back.
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45 Let's Party!
Jayden scoffs a little. "Good luck finding that here in this city. You'll have to drive fifty miles first."
"But it gets us out of the house, unlike your gift which keeps her cooped up at home," Phillip says a little too quickly.
"Great for days she needs some rest," Jayden shrugs." can come over and do playdates with her."
"I thought you were being a silent party. I'm her father on a day-to-day basis."
Jayden's hostile stare is directed at Phillip. "That was before I knew we'd be adding to our family. I intend for both my children to know each other."
Phillip steps towards Jayden. "Well, good for you. World's expert father all of a sudden,"
"And to bear my last name..." Jayden takes a step towards Phillip.
Ashlyn looks at me in shock.
"Stop it!" I yell
They both look at me.
I lower my voice again. "I know this day is challenging. But we are here for Abby not for egos. Can you two stop with the pissing contest and being so immature? I'm not bringing Abby anywhere near either of you while you're like this." Jayden steps back near Ashlyn. Hands in the air. "Sorry, My bad." He drags Phillip's present to the front again. "There. No need to feel threatened."
I glare at him and tap my foot. Honestly.
He holds his hand out to Phillip. "Sorry, buddy. I'm out of line. New to all of this."
Phillip grips Jayden's hand tightly and gives it a few hard jerks. "No problem. You are new to this, so I get
it."
They keep the tight grip a little longer. I just shake my head and walk off to see if Abby is awake.
Men are hopeless.