Page 59 of Into the Mountains (Blue Grove Mountain #3)
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
ELIAS
R ed hair fans across the pillow next to me. Soft snores filling the space between us as Charlie shifts herself in bed once more. Her body comes closer to me and I don’t hesitate to pull her closer, the inches between our bodies nonexistent.
She lets out a soft “mmmm” as she settles her forehead against mine. “Are you ready for today, love?”
I hold back a groan only because I don’t want to sound ungrateful.
Truly, I am. I’m excited for Ethan’s birthday party.
It doesn’t feel real that I have a nine year old.
It also never feels right to celebrate something Sarah should get to be here for.
Will it always be like this? A dash of excitement mixed with a tablespoon of grief?
A cup of guilt to go along with it? All baked into a weird day that rises and forms into a strange shape.
“Yes and no. I’m excited for Ethan. And to give him his gift—”
“Another kitten?”
“No,” I say, unconvincingly. I did get him another one.
I fully blame Jacob this time. I’ve gotten used to the kitten chaos around the house and adding another didn’t seem like it’d be that much of a change.
Jacob had one more kitten looking for a home, so who was I to leave her there all alone with no other companions?
Charlie places her finger on the side of my jaw and tilts my head over to face her. “Today is going to be great. Sarah will be here for him and you in her own way, okay?”
I nod my head and try not to let the tears I already feel welling up, take over and lean in to kiss her. “I’ll go get coffee and then I’ll get started on the decorations. Sound good?”
A sly smile spreads across her face as she fully opens her eyes to look up at me. Seemingly awake now.
“What?” I ask. By the look on her face, there’s something I missed.
“Did you even look outside?”
“No, I just woke up. I don’t get up and look outside my window first thing in the morning.”
She raises her eyebrows, waiting. I get up and make my way to the windows to the left of the headboard.
They overlook the backyard perfectly and give me a view of Hobbit themed birthday decorations galore.
Tables are set up and covered with tablecloths that showcase the Shire.
There’s a spot on the fence with a Hobbit hole backdrop and props for pictures.
Colored streamers are draped along the fence, games are set up for the kids, something I wouldn’t have even thought of but should have been an obvious thing to include at a child’s birthday party.
There’s a table with what looks to be meticulously put-together party favors for the guests.
And in the very back, there’s a blow up projector screen ready to go for what I assume is going to be a watch party later.
She thought of everything. I can only guess there’s food and cake ready to be set out in the kitchen.
Just as I’m about to make another assumption that people are going to show up to help set those things out, I can hear Ethan let in George and Isabelle along with Avery and Hudson.
I’m sure Sky and Jacob aren’t far behind.
“How did you— When did you—”
“Girls’ night,” she says, like it should have been an obvious fact.
“I asked them for help and they didn’t even ask questions. Well, they did ask in the sense of where things should go, but they didn’t hesitate to help is what I mean.”
“Why?”
“You needed help.”
“But you didn’t have—”
“No,” she interrupts. “I didn’t have to.
” She uncovers herself and stands to wrap her arms around me, hair falling halfway down her back.
“I wanted to though. You’re,” she hesitates before taking a deep breath.
“You and Ethan are my family, if you’ll have me and I just… wanted to be here for the both of you.”
I can’t resist tucking strands of hair behind her ears as my thumbs brush her cheeks.
“If you think you’re sleeping anywhere else besides this house for the foreseeable future, then we will finally establish you’re not smarter than I am.”
We both smile and kiss each other through our laughs as we fall back into bed.