Page 47 of Sweet Escape
“So do you, Liv. You know that, right?”
“I’m a big girl. I’ve had years of disappointing birthdays. Far too many to count. I can’t change that, but I can make sure the people I love feel special on their big day. Besides, from what I remember, I had a pretty great birthday in the end.” She glides a hand over her belly.
I chuckle softly. “I’m glad I could turn it around for you. Next year we’ll make sure it’s even more special.”
Next year.
Who’s to say she’ll even want me around next year? She might have another man locked down by then, and I wouldn’t blame the poor bastard one bit. Olivia is something special, and anyone would be a fool not to notice.
For the first time since Olivia walked back into my life, I envision a future with her. A real one where she’s mine and I’m hers. Our baby on her hip and Emmy Lou at her feet, maybe even another one on the way. It’s a beautiful thought, but so far beyond my reach. I’m not in any place to give that to her, and I won't make promises I can’t keep.
Jaxon sidles up next to us, interrupting our moment, and hollers for his niece. “Emmy Lou! Come to Uncle Jaxy!”
She rushes to him, sticky fingers and all, and he instantly scoops her into his arms.
“How’s my best girl?” Jaxon asks.
“Ish muh birfday,” Emmy says, her mouth full of cotton candy.
“Is it really? I thought this party was for me.”
Emmy giggles. “Nuh uh.”
Jaxon pouts dramatically, and she palms both of his cheeks, kissing the tip of his nose. The way my brothers interact with Emmy isn’t unexpected, but it still warms my heart to witness it firsthand after having spent so many years apart. I only wish my sister could be here, but she’s on the last leg of her North American tour, and she couldn’t make it home between stops.
Ruby is the sibling I’m closest to. Maybe that’s because I’m the oldest and I was very protective of my baby sister growing up, or maybe it’s because we both got out and chased something outside of what we’ve always known. Whenever she had a break between shows, she’d fly out to Colorado to spend time with us. She was there for me when I lost Jess, and she’s the first phone call when I need advice. I miss her, but I’m so proud of everything she’s accomplished.
“Come on, Big Guy,” Olivia says. “Time to sing happy birthday.”
Jaxon places Emmy back on her feet, and she darts off ahead of us. When we catch up with her, Olivia helps Emmy onto a stool behind a small pedestal table. There is a heart-shaped cow print cake with pink frosting around the edges and a tiny fondant cowboy hat sitting in the center of a distressed wood cake stand. Olivia pulls out three candles and places them in a small cluster in the middle of the cake.
“Hold on. Almost forgot something.” Olivia rushes inside the barn, returning with my cowboy hat and a much smaller one for Emmy, placing them on our heads as she pulls out her phone to take a photo.
“Wait. What about you?” I ask.
“What about me?”
I hold out my arm in invitation. “Get in here, Cupcake. Mama, can you take Liv’s phone?”
“It would be my pleasure. Go on now.” Mama nudges Olivia with her elbow, giving her no choice but to give in.
When Olivia stands on Emmy’s other side, I place my hat atop Olivia’s head. If I’m being honest, I hadn’t given it much thought beyond wanting her to match with Emmy, but seeing Olivia in my hat is doing something to me that I can’t even begin to describe.
“Now you don’t have a hat.” Olivia pouts.
“But I have everything else.” I wrap an arm around the back of Emmy’s chair, settling my hand on Olivia’s shoulder. Mama snaps a few photos, and Olivia pulls a matchbox from her pocket and lights the candles. What follows is an enthusiastic rendition of Happy Birthday, but my eyes stay locked on Emmy and the bright smile that’s taken up residence on her sweet face. “Blow out the candles, Angel.”
Emmy gives one spirited attempt to no avail.
Olivia and I both lean in at the same time, locking eyes over her head.
“Ok, Emmy,” I say. “On three. Ready? One… two… three.”
We blow out the candles together, and something within me shifts—like something broken being put back together, not quite whole, but getting there.
Olivia
I have a love/hate relationship with birthdays. Most of mine were spent at the diner with Grammy, blowing out a candle on a celebratory slice of pie, because my birthday is the anniversary of my brother’s death. I’m a living, breathing reminder of what my parents lost that day. So… maybe I went a little overboard celebrating Emmy Lou. I couldn’t help myself. I wanted to give Wilder’s little girl something I never had.
