Page 8 of A Party for Lola

Charlie pushed their way forward. "Well, you know, we love you. And we wanted to do something special for your fortieth birthday. Plus, you've been just so stressed lately at work and you deserve something nice."

I decided, then and there, that I was done being stressed working at a magazine I couldn't stand. I was forty. I needed more than that. I needed more time with my family. I needed more time for me. "What if I quit?"

Charlie was the closest so maybe it was no wonder they were the first to jump on me and kiss me, but the others were quick to follow.

"We'll do whatever you need," Micah promised. I knew they would. They all would. We supported each other each and every day.

Presents came, we went to dinner, and the evening went by in a rush and flurry of activity and happiness for me. I'd never dreamed that my fortieth birthday would be such a celebration. I'd hoped, but this was more than I'd ever dreamed of. I had my four partners with me, my sister, her kids, and we were all together.

*~*~*

I didn't slow down until that night when the kids were asleep and everyone had found things to do. I took two glasses of wine, and my sister's hand, and took her out to the back deck. We had a gazebo, that Charlie and Micah had built together the summer before, and I brought her to the chaise lounges there under the stars.

"Thank you so much for being here," I told her.

Emily laughed. "Well, I wasn't going to, but then Tiffany bribed me so…"

I laughed with her as well and then I sighed happily. I was going to quit my job. I'd go see my boss on Tuesday. Then I could pack up my office and be out of there for good. I wouldn't have been able to do it without the four people back in the house. I'd never have had the courage to take that kind of a risk on my own without them.

"We are very glad to be here," Emily added on. "Kiley misses you like crazy. And Todd, I love how you all are with him and how he is with all of you. He's just a toddler but he's learning so much and his eyes are so open and his heart... having you all here, having you in his life, he's a good kid."

I gave her hand a squeeze. "Yes, he is. And it's not because of us. That's all because of you. You're the amazing one. Raising those two on your own. Juggling your life, your work, and two young kids. It's incredible." I had no idea how she did it. Kiley and Todd weren't difficult children at all, at least from what I saw of them, but I still thought she was a saint. Our dad had been one too. Our mother had been out of the picture shortly after Emily turned two. I'd been six. But our dad had been amazing.

Thinking about him brought the tears back. I rubbed at my eyes and wished I hadn't worn so much mascara today.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Emily quietly asked.

I shook my head. "Just thinking about Dad."

She gave me a knowing nod. "You're older than he was when he died now. That's a headtrip. Being older than your parent was. But, sweetie, you're amazing. All the time. You're so wonderful, both individually and together. I wish we could be near you all constantly."

"You could always move down here," I joked.

Emily snorted. "Don't think I haven't thought about it. I'd never want for a babysitter."

"That's true. I think Micah would be actually offended if you went to anyone but him." Emily went quiet for a long time and I looked over at her, wondering what she was thinking about. "What's going on?"

"Picturing what it would be like to move down here. To have you five a short drive away, instead of across the country. You could be there for every school event, every birthday party. I'd have my sister around me full time. I could actually go out on a date. I haven't been on a date in so long. I mean, I've had sex, but you know, the whole going out and getting dressed up and having dinner and having it not just be the prelude to going back to their place... it could be nice. You know?"

I did know. I had that every night with my partners. I got what she was saying though, I just hadn't realized she hadn't been able to be serious about anyone since Cameron had left her and the kids when Todd had been about six months old. It was staggering to think that had been about two years ago. So much had happened, so much had changed, since then. She'd been a stay at home mom and suddenly she'd been back to work and finding daycare with an infant and a toddler to take care of. We'd helped however we could, but now, looking back, I wished that we'd done more. She was our family. All of ours. I'd thought that she'd just had it all handled but maybe she'd really been struggling, even though she'd never talked about it with any of us.

"Well, if you ever want to move down here, we'd love to have you close by," I offered.

"Maybe I will. I mean, it's a good time, right? Kiley isn't in first grade yet. It would be a good chance to start over. Maybe I should have done it before instead of trying to make it on my own. Being around you all like this, it's reminding me of what it was like to have family around. Lola, I freaking miss this. I want this too. I want to come home and have someone to cuddle with, like you do. I want to come pick the kids up from Micah and ask them how their day went with their uncle watching them and hear about all the wonderful things he did with them. I want to go to food festivals with my big sister and I want to do picnics in the park with all of you."

I turned onto my side and put my glass aside as I really considered her. "Anything we can do to help, you know that we will. If you want to make your fortieth birthday present to your big sister you and the kids moving down here, then damn I would love that. You have no idea how much I would love that."

Emily snorted and finished off her wine in one big gulp. "Well, shit. I was just going to get you a card and maybe toss a twenty in it, but yeah. Mind helping me meet with a realtor while I'm down here? I've only got two months left in my townhouse so it's a good time to move. It's such a good time. Holy shit."

She sounded both scared and amazed, and part of me was freaking out too. But I wasn't scared. If it took her a while to find a place that worked for her and the kids they could crash in the spare bedroom, just like they were now. They were our family. I knew everyone would agree with me. "I'd love to help you find a place here. Thank you." I leaned over and kissed her cheek.

I knew my life would change when I turned forty. But I'd had no idea just how much. I was beyond blessed. I had my family, all of them, with me and soon that would be permanent. I was so incredibly lucky.

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