I grin as I walk over and grab a paintbrush. This is going to be a long night, but I couldn’t ask for better company.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Clark
I stare at my phone. My parents should be arriving at any moment. I look around at my siblings. Kent is all smiles even though his team didn’t make the World Series this year. I feel like this semester is going by in a blink. I can hardly believe everything that’s transpired over the past two weeks.
Megan looks up at me and grins. “The anticipation is killing me!” she whispers.
I look around us. The house is packed. People are in every room and outside. Thankfully, it’s one of those warm late-fall days.
My birthday was this past week, so I know we will be doing something today to celebrate it, but I don’t even care. I’m more interested in seeing my parents’ reactions to the house and hearing all about their trip. I’ve missed them and my grandparents. And while it’s nice hanging out with my siblings at their homes, there is nothing quite like this house.
Megan looks over at her sister and parents who are waiting on the other side of the room. Her dad fully stocked my parents’ wine cupboard as a welcome-back gift. I glance around. Mrs. Miller and her boyfriend, Mr. Folley, are here. My parents' neighbors Crissy and Mark are here with their daughters. Di’s principal from her school and her husband and the vice principal are out on the deck. Mr. Hannum who owns the local orchard that our family always goes to for apple picking is here. All of our friends including some of Kent’s teammates and good friends are crowded around the deck and backyard. My aunts and uncles and cousins are also here. It’s like everyone who ever came to one of these has stopped by today.
I glance over and see Ash handing a paint marker to the judge who signed off on his adoption, but instead of having him sign a canvas, Ash is pointing to the mural.
“Uh, Lanie,” I say, nudging my sister as Judge Maloney signs the wall, followed by Mrs. Miller. Oh shit.
“What?”
“Your son might be having all the party guests sign the leaves on the tree,” I say.
She looks over and gasps. “Oh shit. Ash!” I see her walk over, but by now at least a dozen people have signed leaves on the tree.
I shrug at Lanie and she throws her hands up in the air. “Hey, if anyone wants to sign or leave a message on the tree, feel free. Ash has pens,” she says.
Kent’s eyes widen and Lanie shrugs. He shakes his head and goes back to caressing Vera’s back. Vera is passed the fuck out and will likely sleep through the whole party because she’s a rock star like that.
“Shit, that was unexpected,” Megan says with a giggle. I reach over and grab a pen for her.
“Might as well sign the wall, you did help paint it after all,” I urge.
She leans over the sofa and finds a small green leaf. I can’t see what she’s writing, but she takes a moment to do it and then tosses the pen to her sister.
“What did you write?” I ask as I squint to read her tiny handwriting.
“Don’t worry about it,” she says. I push her to the side and read it.
“Moore means ‘open land’ and this family has opened more than just their land to others. They have opened their home and their heart. I am humbled and honored to have been a recipient of their love and support. XOXO, Megan (Megladon) Lennox,” I whisper read, and turn to Megan. “Impressive knowledge about my last name.”
She raises one perfectly shaped eyebrow and motions to her shirt, which reads, “Smart Is My Superpower.” She winks and I chuckle, pulling her back against me.
“They are pulling in,” someone says.
“OK, you all know the drill, everyone clear the side entrance. I’m going out to meet them,” Kent says.
“Do you really think they haven’t noticed the huge amount of cars on the street?” I ask Lanie.
She shrugs. “Maybe.”
Megan leans back against me. “I have a birthday surprise for you, by the way,” she states.
“What?”
She elbows my ribs and I grunt. “I’m not telling you, jackass.”
I’m about to ask more questions when the side door opens and in walks my parents, followed closely by my grandparents, and then Kent.
“Surprise!” everyone yells.
Mom jumps and Dad puts a hand to his chest.
“What in the…” Dad trails off as he looks around.
“We might have done a little redecorating for you,” Kent explains from behind them.
“Oh my goodness!” my mom says as she starts crying and hugging everyone.
“Dad, what do you think?” Kent asks.
“It’s amazing!”
We start showing them the new kitchen, breakfast room, and family room. We let Ash show them the constellation lights in the ceiling, but it’s the mural that gets their attention.
“This is so beautiful. I love it,” Mom says with tears still glistening in her eyes. “It’s just perfect.”
“That was Clark’s idea,” Di says.
Mom turns and embraces me. I squeeze her back and kiss the top of her head. “I missed you, Mom.”
“Missed you too, Clarkie. Happy birthday!”
“Thanks!” I had gotten all the regular birthday calls and texts last week, but it’s nice to have my mom hug too.
“Let’s get this party started,” Kent says, and everyone cheers as waiters start bringing around champagne.
“I’d like to make a toast and then please enjoy yourselves,” he says clearing his throat. “Mom, Dad, you have done so much for all of us and this community over the years and we all wanted to give something back to you. We hope this remodel brings you many more years of Saturday parties, birthday parties, and family festivities.”
“Hear, hear,” Lanie and Di say in unison.
Everyone raises glasses and yells “cheers” as the room is filled suddenly with hugs and kisses. I’ve never been more sure about where I want to spend the rest of my life than I am right now.
Megan
After a round of “happy birthday” singing for Clark and a cake, of course, I pull him outside. I had snuck away this week, and with the help of my dad, we bought Clark’s gift and then made a little something special after conferring with his siblings.
“Where are we going?” Clark asks as I drag him to the woods behind the garage. I start climbing the redone ladder to the treehouse. It’s then that he looks up at it.
“What have you done?” he asks.
“I spoke to Kylie and the others and decided you might like a walk down memory lane, well, a modernized version of it. We are having a slumber party tonight,” I declare once I reach the newly renovated balcony of the treehouse. I motion for him to come inside.
“You added a dormer window?” he asks.
I nod. “We needed it so we can use the telescope.” I point to the telescope that I’ve bought him.
“What? Are you serious?” he asks.
“Yep,” I say with a grin.
“This is awesome. I love it. Thank you,” he says as he pulls me in for a kiss.
I lie down in the treehouse and stare up at all the stickers and notes in markers written on the old wood. Clark lies down next to me.