The rest of the dinner continues in the same vein. How did Akiko make all this? And according to her, what we’re eating is a “non-luxurious” version because she didn’t have enough time to really prepare.So what’s the fancy version?I don’t think I’ve ever been to a restaurant that plates this extravagantly.
But Bryce was right about the portions. Even after the tenth and final plate, I’m nowhere near full. No wonder he polished off half a pizza before coming over.
“So is there going to be an actual wedding ceremony?” Catalina asks, as the final plates are cleared.
Bryce says nothing.
I clear my throat. “Maybe in a couple of months…”
“Why the uncertainty?”
“Bryce is busy, and the nice venues are taken, and you know…” I shrug, glancing at Bryce, hoping he cuts in to stop his grandmother from wanting us to have a ceremony.
“A good venue?” Akiko waves a hand. “I’m sure I can pull some strings.”
You don’t have to be this helpful. “Oh, we couldn’t possibly impose—”
“You’re family! It’s no imposition.”
Prescott nods. I haven’t seen the man shake his head even once at anything his wife’s said. The obvious conclusion would be that he’s whipped, but the man is too controlled and cool. He just likes to let his wife do whatever she wants.
For a second, I wonder if he was this indulgent with Zoe as well, and what made her throw that all away.
Suddenly the lights dim. I look around. Akiko is beaming,although Ares and Josh seem less than thrilled. Whatever the reason, I’m glad for the distraction from all the talk about holding a ceremony.
A beautiful, round cake is brought out and placed in front of me. Flames on numerous candles dance. Swirly writing on the frosting says:
Happy birthday, Fiona Huxley!
I stare at it. Shock that Akiko knew and cared enough to put something like this together is followed by a sweet warmth. This is the first time I’m celebrating my birthday with a family—and it’smyname on the cake, not Finley’s.
Then, on cue, everyone starts singing “Happy Birthday.” I look around—from Bryce…all the way to Jeremiah. Everyone is clapping and singing with a smile. Even Josh and Ares manage. It’s nothing like the awkward celebrations I had with the Obermans: a forced smile on Zachary’s face, desperate happiness radiating from Sherry, who had to believe her daughter was on a blessed path toward good reincarnation, and Aaron, who never bothered to hide how much he despised me for “stealing” his sister’s place. And me, sitting there self-consciously and wishing I could sink into the ground, while a ridiculously elaborate and fancy cake with figurines of all the things Finley loved on top said,Happy Birthday, Finn! We love you!
Tears well up. I blink hard to keep them at bay, but the skin around my eyes grows hot, the air in my lungs thin. When the song ends and it’s time for me to blow out the candles, everyone looks at me expectantly. I try to inhale, but the vise around my chest tightens. I can’t.
I cover my face and burst into tears.
A heavy awkward silence descends.Damn it. Great going, Fiona. You ruined the whole thing.
I feel like an idiot, but I can’t stop the tears. I cover my eyes with my hands, like an ostrich trying to bury its head in the sand.
Bryce’s gentle hand strokes my back. I can feel the weight of concerned gazes on me.
Stop crying and show your gratitude.Be the kind of lovable girl who’s worthy of such caring and attention.
But no matter how quickly I wipe the tears away, they keep rollingdown my cheeks, soaking my face. A sense of failure presses down on me. All I had to do was smile and blow out the candles.
“I knew it.” Josh’s dark voice makes me tense as I wait for the rest of his uncensored disapproval.
Aaron’s constant criticism from my early years rings in my head:You never act right, you’re stupid, you’re such a loser, you’re—
“The cake’s too small.”
The absurdity of his annoyance cuts the flow of my tears. Laughter bubbles in my chest. Ares reaches over and smacks his shoulder. Prescott glares at Josh, then pats Akiko’s back.
I shake my head, laughing and crying. “No, no… The cake’s fine.”
“Did I misspell your name?” Akiko asks. “Or maybe you don’t want to take Bryce’s last name? I can easily fix it…”
