Chapter 18
A week later
“Addison says I have to invite you to her birthday party. But trust me, it’s a bunch of screaming, sugar-loaded four and five-year-olds and a bouncy castle. I do not blame you if you don’t want to go.”
“I’d love to.” He grinned. “When is it?”
I scrunched up my face. “Ahh, tomorrow.”
“What time?”
“About two would be perfect.”
He nodded. “I’ll be there at eleven, and give you a hand with all the preparation if that’s any good for you?”
I could have kissed him. “Yes, please. That would be amazing. Sylvie and I always end up running around like headless chickens.”
“Not a problem. At your place, I assume?”
“Oh, yes. At my house.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
There was nothing about this man that didn’t surprise me.
We had only just started going out together, and while I knew he had met Addison already, I really didn’t think he would be interested in a child’s birthday party.
I was constantly being surprised by him.
My phone started to ring on my desk and I left his office to go and answer it.
* * *
There was a knock at the door at five minutes to eleven on Saturday morning. When I answered it, there stood Aiden with a huge bunch of balloons, a bunch of flowers, a large gift bag, and a good bottle of wine.
"What's all this?" I laughed when I saw him standing with his arms full.
"You can't come to a birthday party empty-handed; that would be rude." He laughed back.
"Wine, Aiden? She's five."
"Har har. That's for you, but if you're going to be rude, I'll just give it to Sylvie."
As if by magic, at the sound of her name, my mother-in-law appeared.
"Did I hear my name being taken in vain?" she asked as she walked up to the door.
Aiden handed her the bunch of flowers. "Not in vain, I promise. These are for you. It's lovely to meet you."
I had to hand it to him, he was making a huge effort, and I really appreciated that.
I'm sure it couldn't be easy to walk into the house and meet the mother-in-law of the man you're dating.
Sylvie was a pussycat, but she was protective as hell.
She had promised me she would be on her best behaviour though.
"Welcome to the madhouse, Aiden. Lovely to meet you too. Come on in. I'll just put these somewhere they won't get run over by kids." She laughed and disappeared into the kitchen.
"Hello, you." Aiden smiled at me as he stood inside the doorway beside me. I grinned and leaned in to give him a soft yet quick kiss.
"Eeww, Daddy! No kissing!" Addison called out from the top of the stairs. I watched as she looked over Aiden, taking in the big gift bag and the balloons and running down the stairs towards us. "Is that for me?" She was such a cheeky little monster.
"I dunno," Aiden said. "I think it might be a mistake. I heard someone was having a birthday party today, but I'm not sure what they were called. Madison, I think."
"Addison!" She giggled.
"Maybe it was Alison."
"Addison!" She squealed a little louder.
"Addison? No, I don't think that was the name."
"It's me!" She started to bounce up and down. "It's me! It's me!"
Aiden knelt down to her level and tapped his cheek. "Kiss here, Princess Addison, and you may have your gift." Addison threw her arms around Aiden's neck, kissed his cheek, and then stood with her hand out.
I shook my head. My child was indeed a little monster. I raised an eyebrow at her behaviour. She turned with her goodies and went to disappear off upstairs again. "Ah, monster. Are you forgetting something?" I asked her.
She turned to me and grinned. "Sorry, Daddy. Thank you, Aiden." She grinned and sprinted back upstairs as fast as she could carry her gifts.
"Thank you for spoiling her like that. You really didn't need to. I wasn't expecting you to."
Aiden smiled. "I know I didn't, but I wanted to make a good impression with everyone."
Sylvie appeared at the doorway of the kitchen. "I think it's safe to say that you've made a good impression on everyone this far. Now, get your asses in my kitchen. There's work to be done!"
I gave Sylvie a salute and she gave me the middle finger. "Isn't my mother-in-law just charming?" I laughed to Aiden.
He grinned and followed me into the kitchen.
* * *
The hours whizzed past, and I watched with wonder as Aiden entertained twenty four and five-year-olds.
He played games, gave piggybacks, chatted with the parents who stayed to watch the madness.
He was the model of parenting and kids’ party perfection.
I couldn't keep my eyes off him, and every time he looked in my direction, he smiled and gave the occasional cheeky wink.
My heart flipped in my chest when he did, and I knew I was already done for.
"I see that look." Sylvie appeared beside me, looking at the scene in front of us.
"What look?" I tried to bluff.
She smirked. "You are screwed, my boy. Even this old fool can see that."
"Maybe." I smiled back.
"Maybe my arse." She laughed and headed back into the kitchen to clear up the dishes.
Soon, all the kids were gone, most of the mess was cleared up, and Addison was already asleep on her bed. Sylvie smiled at us both. "Why don't you two bugger off? I'll finish off here, and she's already asleep upstairs."
"Are you sure?" I asked her.
She threw a tea towel over her shoulder. "Go for it! Get out while the night is still young and you have the chance."
I kissed her cheek. "I love you, you know that?"
"Oh, fuck off." She laughed.
Aiden snorted. "It was lovely to meet you, Sylvie." He leaned in and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"You too, love. Now, get out of here and take him with you before I change my mind." She grinned.
Aiden moved past me, grabbed my hand on the way, and pulled me along with him. "Let's do as she says." He raised an eyebrow as he spoke and I grinned.