Chapter 12 - Daddy's First Birthday Party
The triplets turned five beneath hundreds of garden lights.
Declan helped decorate.
He was terrible at balloons.
The girls considered this hilarious.
Cassidy watched him kneeling on the grass while Grace placed a paper crown on his head.
Something inside her softened.
During the cake, Lily announced, “Daddy needs to sit beside Mommy.”
Everyone froze.
Declan looked at Cassidy.
Cassidy laughed.
“Apparently we have assigned seating.”
Later, after the guests left, Declan helped clean.
“You don't have to do that.”
“I missed four birthday cleanups. I'm behind.”
Cassidy smiled.
On the porch, they stood beneath warm lights.
“Thank you,” she said.
“For?”
“Not trying to buy today.”
“I almost bought a pony.”
Cassidy stared.
He smiled.
“I'm learning.”
She laughed.
Declan looked at her.
The laughter faded.
He leaned slightly closer.
Then stopped.
Cassidy understood.
He was waiting for permission.
She closed the distance.
Their kiss was gentle.
Brief.
Nothing like their marriage.
It felt new.
When they separated, Cassidy whispered, “This doesn't mean everything is fixed.”
“I know.”
“Good.”
From an upstairs window came three simultaneous squeals.
Cassidy looked up.
Three small faces vanished behind the curtain.
May you like
Declan laughed.
Their daughters had apparently decided the story was moving too slowly.
