Page 163 of Scarred

“It’s beautiful, honey,” my mom laughs. “Don’t touch another thing.”

I stand back and look at the backdrop I set up. Various colors of pink balloons frame the top of the greenery wall outside before trailing down the sides.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Scarlett, hangs in a gold glittered banner, giving everyone the perfect spot to take pictures.

Pink pool floats drift along the water in the slight breeze, and tables are set up with pink tulle wrapped around the edges because I know how much she loves to wear her tutu.

After Scarlett’s birthday breakfast, I came straight here while Cayden went to practice. He should be arriving home within the next hour to pick up Mae and Scarlett before heading over here.

“I just want everything to be perfect,” I whisper.

“And it will be,” she smiles.

“We’re here,” Bella rings out as she steps outside holding two vases of assorted pink flowers. Emma and Sophia come in behind her, holding various trays of food. “We thought you could use the help with setting up. The guys are watching the kids and bringing them over when the party starts, so we can actually get things done,” she laughs.

Emotions swell inside me, and my sister shakes her head.

“Oh no, you don’t. No tears today.”

“I just…the flowers..the extra food…” I look at my family showing up for Scarlett. Not because they have to, but because they know how much she means to me. “Thank you,” I smile.

“You don’t have to thank us,” Emma says, shaking her head. “It’s what families do.”

“And, judging by how beautiful you made this backyard for a certain three-year-old, I would say Cayden and Scarlett are becoming a part of this family, too,” Sophia smiles.

“I really hope so,” I admit softly.

“We do too,” Bella smiles as our strong sister bond passes between us.

“Well,” my mom says, clearing her throat and wiping her eyes. “Before we all ruin our makeup, how about we get the last of the food and drinks ready and give this special little girl a party she will never forget.”

“Let’s do it,” I grin, feeling the excitement bubble up inside me.

An hour later, the outdoor patio has turned into a fairy ballerina land. Pink and tulle decorations are scattered about, and the blow-up fairy castle with water slide sitting next to the pool makes a nice addition to my parents’ backyard for the afternoon.

Cayden will probably think I went overboard, but it was my gift to Scarlett, and I wanted to do this for her. Besides, it was my money, and this was how I wanted to spend it. I’ll deal with the aftermath of not using the credit card he gave me later.

“Geez, it’s like I stepped into a Disney princess movie,” Noah chuckles, walking into the backyard with my niece Lily Anna and my nephew Jax.

“We got a slide!” My three-year-old nephew says, bouncing up and down.

“We have to wait for the birthday girl, Jax,” Lily Anna says to her brother.

I smile at my eight-year-old niece, who has always been the sweet motherly type. She’s the perfect combination of my brother and Emma, with her long brunette hair and eyes the color of the ocean, with a mix of blue and green from both parents.

“I know that,” Jax scoffs, his blue eyes scrunching up before they get wide with excitement when he spots his cousin, Holden, coming outside, followed by his seven-year-old sister, Maven.

Maverick chuckles at his son’s excitement before the four of them quickly run off to check out the food table.

Noah catches Maverick’s eye, and they both turn to stare at me.

Sighing, I cross my arms over my chest, knowing this was coming.

“Let’s get this over with,” I mutter.

“Maybe we should wait for Travis,” Mav asks, his lip twitching at the corner.

“Oh, for crying out loud,” I say, waving my hand in the air, “just tell me what you think because Lord knows you both have had opinions on every single person I’ve dated.”