Chapter 33
Wes
Before I even open my front door, I hear the music booming through my house. Someone’s in a good mood. When I walk in, I’m greeted by Lilah, Ivy, and Sophie dancing wildly in my living room.
“Just a Girl” by No Doubt assaults me at a deafening level as I watch Ivy spin my daughter around, and dip her upside down, while Lilah's little legs are wrapped around Ivy’s waist. When Lilah’s head falls back, she spots me, and yells my name, alerting everyone of my presence.
Ivy looks up and grins widely at me. “Hi,” she shouts over the music.
I grin back.
Sophie stops the music on her phone that she connected to my speakers. “Yay! Wes is home! Let’s go, Ivy,” she says.
Ivy laughs, then sets Lilah down, and kisses her on the head. “Alright, let’s go.”
“I want to go! Please Iby, I’ll even leave Burrito at home!” Lilah whines, pressing her hands together, begging.
Ivy glances at me, then Sophie. She looks absolutely heartbroken staring down at my daughter, clearly not wanting to deny her, so I throw her a bone.
“They’re going to a place where only grown ups are allowed, bug. But you and I will have fun, promise,” I cut in, so Ivy doesn’t have to break the news.
“Okay,” Lilah sulks.
“I’m only going to be gone for a little bit, but I’ll be home before you go to bed,” Ivy assures her, then glances over to Sophie for confirmation.
Sophie smiles at Lilah and nods. “Yes, cutie. Just a couple celebratory drinks for the birthday girl over here, and I’ll have her home by seven.”
I cock my head.
I feel the frown pulling at my face as I try to make sense of what’s happening.
“Damn you, Sophie Cooper,” Ivy hisses, and my eyes nearly pop out of my head.
“It’s your birthday Iby?!” Lilah screams.
I look at Ivy, completely speechless. How did I not know this? I replay all of today, and think about any clue I could’ve picked up on that today was Ivy’s birthday. Her fucking birthday? The waking up together, the teasing in the kitchen, my office, the tattoo, nothing comes to mind.
Ivy winces and bares her teeth awkwardly. “Yes,” she answers Lilah hesitantly, before glancing back up to me sheepishly.
“Sorry, it slipped,” Sophie says as she squeezes her eyes shut.
“When you come home I’ll sing you Happy Birthday, okay? Daddy!” Lilah yells. “We have to make Iby a card!” She scoffs, like I should know this.
I just nod dumbly. I haven’t said anything. I don’t know what to say. Was it a secret?
“I can’t wait!” Ivy says a little too brightly. “I’ll hurry home, promise.” Ivy drops to her knees and hugs Lilah tightly.
She stands, and walks over to me, and that’s when I notice what she’s wearing.
Tight as fuck black jeans hug her curves flawlessly, paired with a lacey black top, that pushes her tits so high, if I wasn’t already speechless I’d definitely be at a loss for words now.
Her dark hair is wild and tousled like she’s been freshly fucked and her bright green eyes are lined with something dark.
Holy wet dream.
Ivy steps up to me, and clasps her hands behind her back, still looking sheepish. My gaze drops to her perfect tits, and I briefly imagine my dick sliding in between them.
“Sorry, I didn’t tell you,” she whispers, startling me out of my fantasy. She’s gnawing on her lip, obviously nervous. “I just didn’t know how to bring it up naturally.”
“It’s my birthday would’ve done the trick,” I say, and it comes out harsher than I meant it to.
Ivy can definitely tell because she glances over at Lilah who is racing around the house scrounging up craft supplies for her card, and cringes.
“Yeah. Sorry. You’ve just done so much for me already, it felt weird telling you randomly.
I didn’t want you to think I was only telling you because I expected something from you. ”
“Alright, alright, we get it, grumpy gills,” Sophie interrupts, patting me on the chest. “Let me take our girl out for a bit then we’ll be back. You gave her a tattoo, that’s a pretty good gift,” my sister adds, pointing to Ivy’s arm.
That’s not enough. Not for Ivy.
Before I can even get a word in, Sophie drags Ivy out the door, and I watch as Ivy mouths “Sorry” just before the door shuts.
I just stand there stunned for a few moments.
When I realize I still didn’t tell her happy birthday, I rip the door open to do just that, but all I see is Sophie’s tail lights down the road.
Shit. I need a plan.
I turn my head to see Lilah at the dining room table, crayon and markers sprawled about with her tongue sticking out of mouth as she scribbles violently on a piece of paper.
An idea comes to mind, and I think it through quickly to decide if it’s doable. I have about two hours to accomplish it. It’s cutting it close, but I’m going to try like hell anyway.
I call out to Lilah. “Lilah Mae, want to do something for Ivy?