Chapter 24
For the first time in ages, Lily woke happy the next morning. She stretched her arms over her head. Her muscles tingled awake and she sat up, rejuvenated. Despite all of her concerns, last night’s dinner went well. Better than well. She might say wonderfully. Gideon and Tom liked each other. Gideon had been relaxed and friendly. Tom had been happy for her. She couldn’t ask for a better reaction from either of them.
Her light-hearted mood lasted for most of the day—through the prolonged, and sometimes agonizing, task of getting Claire ready for school; despite three rescheduled meetings and two conference calls; and into the evening, her first chance to relax. That is, until she examined the RSVP list for Claire’s birthday party that weekend.
Suddenly, her mood evaporated as she contemplated hosting thirty kids herself. Her neck tightened and her heartbeat increased as she imagined the chaos that would ensue. Visions ran through her brain of super-energetic six- and seven-year-olds running around with a sugar high as she enticed them to sit down.
A quick call to enlist Samantha’s help eased her mind only slightly, and she sat at the table and made a check list of all the things she had to do to prepare as she tapped her pencil on the table and swung her foot in circles. Games first, or crafts? Food before or after the activities? And how many of these parents could she con into helping? The ringing phone jarred her out of planning mode, and she answered it, still focused on her list.
“Hey, Lil, how are you?” The timbre of Gideon’s deep voice forced her lips into a smile and she reclined, relieved at the momentary respite.
“Better, now that you called.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, I’m just stressing over Claire’s party.”
“Why? I thought having it at the community center would take the stress off of you. That’s why I suggested it.”
“It does.” Lily chewed her lip. “I’m just nervous. I’ve never given a birthday party for this many kids before and I hope I can keep them all entertained. Most of the parents are just going to drop off the kids and leave.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll take care of it.” His voice oozed confidence.
“I can’t ask you to do that. You’ve got better things to do on a weekend than host a kid’s party.”
“You’re right, for any other kid. But this is Claire. I’d do anything for her, and I’m happy to help out. What do you have planned?”
Overwhelmed by his feelings for her daughter, her heart swelled. “Well, I figured I’d come up with a few games, we’d do a craft, have a piñata and some cake.”
“You take care of the craft; I’ll handle the games.”
“You will?” She blinked tears away.
“Of course,” Gideon assured her. “Now, do you want help setting up?”
“No, I think I’m okay. I’m just going to get the balloons and cake, and go decorate. Tony and Samantha said they’d help.”
“You know, for someone as organized as you, you’re a lousy delegator.” He laughed. “How about if I pick up the balloons and cake and meet you at the gym?”
“Well, it would help me out a lot,” Lily agreed as she crossed those items off her list. Her mood lightened once again.
“I’ll meet you at the gym at ten. Now get some sleep.”
****
Claire jumping on the bed woke Lily on Saturday morning. “Mom, wake up, wake up!” She shook her until Lily grabbed her and pulled her into a hug.
“Okay, I’m up, I’m up.” She planted a kiss on her daughter’s soft cheek. “Happy birthday, baby.”
“I’m not a baby, Mom. I’m seven years old today.”
“Oh, pardon me. You’re a big girl now.”
“Huge.” Claire blew out her cheeks and stood as tall as she could. With a wobble and a shriek, she fell onto the bed.
Lily tickled her until she couldn’t breathe. They got up, dressed and gobbled breakfast. They grabbed the bags and boxes by the door and headed over to the community center. Passersby gave them a wide berth as they made their way along the sidewalk laden with party supplies.
Once there, they taped a sign directing guests to the gymnasium. Inside, Lily hung streamers while Claire ran around. Her feet pounded on the wood floor and echoed off the walls. Tony and Samantha arrived to help. With a brief kiss for the birthday girl, they approached Lily.
“What can we do to help?”
Lily perched on a ladder, the streamers wrapped around her ankles, tape hanging from her wrists. “Well, I’ve got an hour to decorate this place before twenty-five six- and seven-year-olds arrive.”
Tony helped her from the ladder and she handed them the streamers and tape. With a thank you to Samantha, she grabbed Claire and set the table. The paper plates, cups and plastic ware created an impromptu beat Lily and Claire danced to around the table.
“Is there a birthday girl in here?” a loud voice asked.
A large bunch of multi-colored balloons rolled into the gym. Gideon pushed several aside and grinned like a manic clown. On his lap was the cake.
“Gideon!” Their band momentarily forgotten, Claire ran over and skidded to a halt.
“Whoa there, ClaireBear. You don’t want to mess any of this up.”
Lily rescued the cake and leaned over to kiss him on the lips. His mouth had a rubbery taste from the balloons and she compressed her lips and wrinkled her nose. “Thank you so much.”
He grinned. “You’re welcome. Now, where do you want the balloons?”
“I’ll take them,” Claire volunteered and held out bony arms.
“I don’t think so, kiddo.” Gideon chuckled. “You’ll float to the ceiling and then what will we do?”
They tied balloons to the back of each chair and gave the rest to Tony and Samantha to distribute.
“When are the kids arriving?” he asked Lily.
She crossed her fingers. “Any minute now, I hope.”
Gideon came over to her and rubbed the small of her back. “Relax.”
“I know. I always get stressed before these things.” His touch and his solid presence soothed her.
“Well don’t. You’ve got us to help you and it’s going to be fine.”
The party guests arrived. While Lily took the presents, Claire ran around the gym with her friends. The deafening shouts drowned out any of Lily’s attempts to organize them.
“Claire, calm down,” Lily said, but her daughter ignored her.
At Lily’s distress, Gideon stepped in and whistled. The sound pierced the cavernous space and froze everyone in mid-stride. “Hey everyone, let’s play charades.”
Claire ran over, followed by her friends, and soon Gideon had all of them organized and taking turns. Lily’s mouth gaped at his ease with them. After charades, Gideon and Tony divided the kids into teams and led the kids in a game of basketball. Afterward, he brought them over to the tables and Lily and Samantha helped them make crafts and served the cake. When the kids finished, Gideon directed them in relay races and helped them crack the piñata. By the time the activities ended and the parents arrived, the kids were exhausted, but happy. No one wanted to leave and everyone vied with Claire to sit on Gideon’s lap and go for a spin.
“Sorry, that’s only for the birthday girl,” he said and hugged her. Her sticky sweat clung to him, and he kissed the top of her damp head.
One by one, the kids departed, goody bags clutched to them and their thank you’s echoing off the walls.
“Did you have fun, sweetheart?” Lily asked after the last kid was gone and everyone dismantled the party.
“It was great, Mom.”
Lily walked over to Gideon. “Thank you so much for your help. I couldn’t have done this without you.”
He pulled her onto his lap. “I was happy to do it for you, and for Claire.” They kissed until Tony and Samantha cleared their throats and they pulled away. Her cheeks burned, and Gideon’s were just as red.
“Come on you two. Aren’t you going to help us?” Tony asked.
“Coming, coming,” Gideon said, and finished cleaning up.