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It was a few days before we met.

Disappointment steals the breath from my lungs. Dez’s birthday is coming up, then mine and Connor’s, but waiting a whole year for Daph’s will be torture when there’s nothing I want more than to share my family’s traditions.

Me

Next year, I’m going to give you the best birthday you’ve ever had.

Daphne

I bet you’re the best planner in the pack.

I haven’t been, not for years, but it’s about time I went back to my roots. Starting now.

Me

Stick around, kitten. I’ll show you what a birthday’s really supposed to be like.

Daphne

I look forward to all of it

Smiling, I tuck the cookbook under my arm, intending to come back for the rest. Pulling out of the pack house driveway for what I hope is one of the last times, I head for the store. Time to make someone else’s day brighter.

BARRETT FAMILY GROUP CHAT

From the BarrettFamily Group Chat

Mama B

You better bring my daughter-in-law for dinner. We don’t celebrate genocide in my home, but we do celebrate family and it’s time Daphne joins ours

From the separate group chat of Dez and Mama B

Dez

You can’t all her that, Mama. We’re not even bonded.

Mama B

Do you plan to keep her?

Dez

Yes.

Mama B

Then what does it matter if I start calling her my daughter early?

Dez

Please don’t rush this. Daphne needs time.

Mama B

No, she needs love and affection. We have that in spades. Bring her.

From the Barrett Family Group Chat