“Party?” Jules asked.
“Sorry,” I said, realizing that Ivy had sent our kid on an errand so we could have a quick talk. “I haven’t gotten you up to speed with everything that happened, but we’re having a small party for Addie’s birthday tomorrow.”
“We were going to postpone with Noah’s parents passing, but it all worked out and we’re still on track,” Ivy whispered.
“And it’s a surprise?” Jules asked as we heard Addie’s counting from the kitchen in the background.
“Out of necessity. She’d never sleep,” Ivy explained.
“Ahh.”
“So do you think she could hang out here for a couple of hours? Until dinner?” Ivy asked with a wince. “I mean, you two likely had some adult fun planned, but?—”
“Of course she can,” Jules interrupted as she spoke for me. With that, my heart swelled. I couldn’t care less that she’d answered instead of letting me, what made my day was that she put time with my daughter as the priority.
Ivy’s relief was evident. “Oh. Thanks, you two. Lorelai is doing so much better, but Jake has her in the sling while he’s trying to sneakily get everything ready for tomorrow and also preparing for Steph and crew to stay at our place tonight. I’m just a bit worried we’re not going to get it all done.” She glanced toward the kitchen. “You all are welcome to come for dinner too, or you can just do the brunch tomorrow…” Ivy bit her lip like maybe she had said too much. She hadn’t, but we hadn’t talked yet.
I looked to Jules. “I hadn’t asked you yet because this week has been a blur, but clearly I’d love you to come to this brunch shindig tomorrow.”
Jules looked unsure. “If it’s a family thing, I get it. I don’t need to come.”
“We want you there,” I said, looking to Ivy to back me up.
“Absolutely. I can’t always handle the crazy Spencer clan without reinforcements. And I have no words for Margot—she’s Steph, Jake, and Drew’s mom. She’s someone you need to experience without explanation. Just… brace.”
Jules laughed. “Good or bad?”
I shook my head, thinking of the force of nature that was Margot Spencer. “Good, absolutely, but a presence to be reckoned with.”
“Ten peaches and then some strawberries, blueberries, and bananas,” Addie called out.
“Any grapes?” Ivy called while shaking her head no to us to indicate she hadn’t brought any.
“Maybe?” Addie called.
“Can you check?” Ivy replied.
“Is that another job?” Addie asked.
“Part of the same one,” Ivy said.
“Okay.” The sound of Addie opening the refrigerator got us back in gear.
“Addie can absolutely stay. What time do you want me to walk her back over,” I asked.
“Five,” Ivy answered promptly.
“And we’re set on her gift?” I asked.
“She’s going to flip,” Ivy answered.
“Oh no, I don’t have a gift,” Jules murmured.
“No grapes!” Addie sang, slamming the fridge.
Ivy reached over, squeezing Jules’s arm. “Noah will fill you in, but we go very sparse on gifts. Ads is already blessed beyond measure, so your presence can be your gift. It really is a birthday party disguised as an opportunity to have brunch. And going back to your earlier worry, in Highland Falls our friends are our family so no worries, you belong at this party.”
As she finished that comment, which made Jules’s eyes shiny with unshed tears, Addie skipped down the hall and stopped in front of us with her hands on her hips. “Time?”
