But this one means a lot more.
Because it’s his first.
The guests were all told to give me a thirty-minute window in case I have to cancel. I am prepared to cancel, but I just really hope that we won’t have to.
“Hey Lana, what’s all…”
Right on time.
Mason’s expression is unreadable. Bodhi rubs the back of his neck with his palm, and if the silence continues, I’m liable to have a heart attack.
“Surprise,” I say softly.
"What is all this?"
“It’s your half birthday,” I tell him with a small smile.
“My…” The words hang there unspoken as he looks around, his eyes flitting from the balloons to the tablecloths to where the food will go before returning to me.
“I know you don’t celebrate your birthday. And I respect that. But I also thought that this might be a compromise we could make. Every year you’re with us will be something special. And every year we’ll want to celebrate with you. And I’m hoping that you’ll let us do that. Like this.”
Bodhi stands silent at my side, tension radiating off him in waves. It’s important to him too. And I wonder if he’s ever had a birthday party. I might not be in the elite social circles anymore, but I can still throw one hell of an event.
Holland walks over, completely oblivious to the standoff we’re having, and takes his hand, giving a small tug so he looks down at her. “Is it okay?” she asks, a little more focused on the décor rather than if he likes the party itself.
I told the kids some version of the truth. His mom had died on his birthday, and it makes him sad to celebrate it. If he wants to share the rest of the story someday, he can. But for now, it’s an excuse that works.
“I do,” he says slowly, giving her a smile and then looking up to me. “I really do.”
Bodhi wraps his arm around my shoulder and pulls me in for a quick hug, releasing me before holding his hand out for Holland. She takes it with a smile as he claps Mason on the back.
Mason swallows hard as we watch the two of them head off toward the house to let everyone know the party’s on.
“You threw me a birthday party,” Mason says when we’re alone.
“I wanted you to have this. The party is probably overkill, but… Go big or go home, right?” He laughs.
“You were ready for that too?” He means the going home part. And I nod.
“I made sure to stagger everyone’s arrival in case this wasn’t what you wanted.”
He shakes his head. “I’m still not sure this is what I want. But I’m willing to give it a try. For you.”
“Holland picked out all the decorations,” I tell him. “The kids were excited to do it. Beck hasn’t had a birthday party in a couple of years—just had some of the boys from his class over. You know, for sleepovers and things. But this year I think he was feeling it too. New school and new friends. It’s not the same. But…”
“It’s perfect.”
45
MASON
She threw me a party.
She threw me abirthdayparty.
Bodhi’s gaze had locked on mine, holding it for just a second with more emotion poured into that one single look than I was able to handle.
It was all too much.
