Chapter 25 #3
Since the lodge was closed to outside guests, Dakota had given her human staff members several days off with pay so the Clan didn’t have to worry about hiding their shifter selves.
That also meant they had to do all the cooking.
Gemi offered to help in the kitchen, and between her, Jolee, and Diana, they had enough sides to feed the whole Clan three times over.
Jolee’s mate, Ollie, and his twin, Theo, who were lion shifters, manned the grills.
Kennedy had been working on the desserts for a week.
Seven helped Dakota with the drinks, and Carleigh and Harlow set the tables once Bayu, Bas, and Jon had them set up outside on the lawn below the deck.
For it to be July, the weather was perfect.
After the food had been demolished, the females cleaned off the tables while the males moved them out of the way.
Corn hole boards were brought out as were footballs and frisbees.
Seven helped Dakota set up a makeshift bar so that drinks were readily available for whoever wanted something besides all the beer on ice in the coolers.
Juni ran his little legs ragged trying to keep up with all his new family members, and the boy was having the time of his life.
When the sun began getting low in the sky, Carleigh, Harlow, and the others in on the surprise headed up to the deck where Jon had already set up all the equipment. Bayu knew what was happening, so he kept Juni occupied until it was time. Jon let out a shrill whistle getting everyone’s attention.
Carleigh and Harlow stepped up to the railing and waved.
Since this had been Harlow’s idea, she did the talking.
“Happy fourth, everyone. Today has been awesome being with so many family members and getting to know our new ones. Carleigh and I wanted to show Sebastian and Dakota how much they mean to all of us with a little surprise, so sit back, put your drinks down lest you spill them, and look up.”
Jon hit play on the music. Jacoby and Desi, who were both rock gods, had gone into the studio and recorded patriotic music with their bands.
It was tastefully done while still rocking out.
Harlow and Carleigh stood behind a table where their laptops were, and the two started the show.
Instead of fireworks that could burn down the land around them, they opted for something safer.
Laser lights danced in time to the music for the first song.
As it ended, Jon and the others grabbed their controllers, lifting several drones into the sky.
There were no loud bursts sprinkling cardboard shards of smelly chemicals.
Instead, there were choreographed lasers and drones, filling the dark with red, white, and blue.
Lights pulsed and flashed while the colorful drones zig-zagged.
When the last note sounded, Carleigh and Harlow lit up the night with the words “Happy birthday, USA.”
The crowd below had been oohing and aahing, but now they were on their feet clapping and cheering. Carleigh sought out her mate and son, both of them waving at her and laughing.
Harlow bumped Carleigh’s shoulder with her own. “I am so fuckin’ happy for you, C.”
Carleigh turned to her cousin and bestie. “Me too, Low. You’ll get this one day. I promise.”
Harlow just nodded but wiped her eyes. Carleigh turned and high-fived all those who had helped pull the spectacle off. “Great job, everyone. We couldn’t have done it without you.”
They were joined on the patio by all their family and friends who congratulated them on a job well done. Bayu barely held onto Juni as he lunged for Carleigh.
“Carwee! You made pwetty wights!”
“I did, but I had help. Did you like them?”
“Uh huh. Do it again.”
Carleigh tickled his side. “No can do, little man. That was a special treat. Maybe I’ll think up something for your birthday.”
“Kay.” And just like that, there was no fussing. Juni shoved his face in Carleigh’s neck, his little body getting heavy as he fell asleep almost instantly. It was way past his bedtime.
Once they made sure Gemi was okay, Bayu and Carleigh wound their way through the partiers, saying goodnight.
Instead of putting Juni in a strange room by himself, they placed him in the middle of their bed after changing him into his pj’s.
He would wake up in a few hours needing to pee, but Carleigh didn’t mind getting up with him.
She left the light on in the en suite and left the door ajar.
Someone had turned the stereo on downstairs, and Bayu pulled Carleigh into his body, swaying as he often did. Her mate loved to dance.
“Thank you, my Sayang, for giving me such an amazing family. I am looking forward to building a house down in the valley where we will make a life together. I am so very grateful for you. You bring joy to everyone you meet, but to Juni and me, you bring us love. You are our everything, and we love you.”
“I love you both more than I ever dreamed was possible. Thank you for being my mate and giving me a son.”
“How about I give you a daughter next?”
“I’m good with that.” And she was. Now that she knew how wonderful it was to have a family, she only wanted it to get bigger. Daughter, son, it didn’t matter, as long as they had Bayu Tan for an abah.
The End