"All right, princess." Ash came up behind me and cupped my shoulders with his huge hands. "Can I have a turn hugging you while Jay does his pop star impersonation?"
Tilting my head back far enough to bump his chest, I met his upside-down chocolate eyes and gave him a big, toothy grin. Taking that as a yes, he gathered me up in his arms and sat me on his hip. It seemed to be his favorite way to hold me because he did it almost every time he carried me.
"All right, Tyler," Jayden said into the microphone. "I picked this song because I think it captures today perfectly. I hope you like it."
His guitar exploded into a fast-paced song that took me by surprise, and I had to listen hard to make out the words because he sang them so fast.
"By the moon, he's good," Ash laughed as he bounced me around to the rhythm. "I always get my tongue tangled when I sing those lyrics."
I grinned and petted his curls, then the song slowed down and I could understand the chorus.
"What is this song called?” I asked Ash.
"Good to be Aliveby Andy Grammer.”
"And the one he sang for me?”
"Lifetimeby Justin Bieber.”
I nodded and stored the information away for later, then re-focused on my amazing mate. Everyone around us was dancing and singing along with the song, and I was glad Matthew had set up quality speakers. Jayden's voice was too good to be lost in the noisy crowd.
When he finished, he stood and took a bow and everyone applauded or screamed appreciation.
"I'm slowing it down now for our newest couple," he said as he perched on his stool again. "When this song was released, Peri fell in love with it and begged me to sing it for her and her mate if she ever found him. Well, Per, today is that day."
This song was a lot slower, but not as much as mine had been. It was about falling in love over and over again, and it suited Jayden's voice perfectly.
I wonder which professional artist made this song famous. I bet my boy could give him a run for his money!
"Fall into Meby Forest Blakk,” Ash told me as if he read my mind.
Jayden slowed things down even more with the next song, which he dedicated to all the newly mated couples. It repeated the line, "I was made to love you." It was the perfect sentiment for any shifter since we truly were built to be with our Goddess-given mates.
"I didn’t know this one,” Ash admitted, "so I had to ask him. It’s calledMade to Love Youby Drew Angus.”
"It’s beautiful,” I said and he agreed.
The last song, Jayden said, was to celebrate "all the oldies."
"Looking at you Mom and Dad and Mama and Papa," he said, getting a laugh from most of us and raised eyebrows from Dad and Papa. "Everyone, grab a partner and get ready to dance!"
"You’re going to like this one. It’s by Walk the Moon.” Making sure my legs were secure around his waist, Ash took one of my hands in his, held it against his heart, then supported my bum with his other arm. "Shut up and dance with me.”
"Okaaaay,” I said hesitantly. "I thought I was. You didn’t need to tell me to shut up, though.”
"No, baby,” he laughed. "That’s the title of the song. I’d never tell you to shut up!”
Giggling at my mistake, I locked my free hand around his neck just in time for him to start dancing to the music. He spun me around with a giant grin, his eyes alight with energy and excitement, and I loved seeing him this way.
As he whirled me around the backyard, I looked at my family with a happy heart. Wyatt was dancing with William in his arms much like Ash held me, and Cole had Winnie up on his shoulders, making the little guy giggle as he moved his arms up and down.
The betas, their mates, Luke, and Gisela were jumping up and down with their arms in the air, having fun and not caring what they looked like. Each time Jayden sang, "Shut up and dance with me," they all joined in, which made me giggle.
Mama and Papa moved in an old-fashioned dance with lots of swirls and dips, Mom and Dad were welded together and swaying from side to side, and the king and queen slow-danced while staring into each other's eyes.
Leo stood off to the side alone, a drink in his hand as he watched everyone with a blank face. I understood what he was thinking; he didn't feel he had any right to enjoy himself, even with something so simple as dancing and singing at a birthday party. That made me frown, but then Mason, who wasnevergoing to dance in front of anyone, walked over and began talking to him. Whatever my mate said made Leo bark out a laugh, and I supposed that was good enough.
As for Wesley and Wade, they took advantage of the empty pool to round up all the floats and pool noodles and seemed to be building some kind of fortress.