Page 69 of Atlas
“Damian, Kit, and Lumi are coming to celebrate your birthday later today,” Charles said to Saffron. “I told them not to bring any present since you’re too old for that now that you’re six.”
Saffron didn’t pick up on her father’s humor and almost teared up. “I’m not. I like presents.”
“Nooo, aren’t presents for little kids?” Charles teased her.
“Don’t listen to him. I love presents, and I’m a grown-up,” River told the little girl.
“That’s debatable,” Nathan muttered and received an elbow to his ribs from River.
“Saffron, sweetie, I have something for you.” Maximum handed her a present.
She lit up in a big smile. “Can I open it?”
“I don’t see why not. It’s your birthday, isn’t it?” Maximum exclaimed. Atlas and I exchanged a glance. Yesterday, he’d told me that he needed to go and buy her a present this morning, and I’d said I wanted to come along and buy something for her as well. I felt so honored that the Robertsons had opened up their home to me, and it would be impolite to attend a birthday without bringing a present.
Ripping the gift open, Saffron looked at the ragdoll in her hands.
“Some teenage girls in the Philippines made that one for you,” Maximum explained.
Saffron gave the doll an exaggerated hug and named her Amelia on the spot.
“I want to give you my present too,” River said and left the table to fetch it.
“Can you get mine too? It’s on my bed,” Nathan called after her.
“What did you get me?” Saffron asked Atlas and looked up at him with her large expressive eyes.
“Ehm, I got you… ehm, that thing on the top of your wishlist.”
She gaped at him. “You got me a trampoline?”
“Yes! But it was too big to wrap as a present, so that’s why it’s not here.”
Saffron gave a loud shriek and threw herself into Atlas’ arms. “Thank you so much. That’s the best present ever.”
From my right side, I sensed Liv glaring at Atlas, and when River returned, and Saffron was distracted by opening more presents, Liv leaned in and whisper-hissed, “We said small gifts.”
Atlas feigned innocence. “A trampoline is considered a toy, right?”
“Yes, the number one toy that gets kids injured. You’d better get her a spring-free one, or I’m returning it.”
“Spring-free it is.”
“I still need to get her a present,” I whispered to Atlas.
“And I need to find a spring-free trampoline. We’ll do it after breakfast.”
Saffron was as happy with River’s jewelry set and Nathan’s hula hoop and board game as she’d been with the trampoline.
“Those are great presents,” Liv praised them. “They’ll keep Saffron occupied for hours.”
“Do you want to make a nice wristband with me?” River asked.
“Or you could show me how to work the hula hoop,” Nathan offered.
“So many choices, huh, Peanut?” Liv got up and began collecting the plates on the table while Saffron got up from the table to show Nathan the hula hoop in action.
“Don’t worry, River. Getting her to do one thing for more than ten minutes is impossible, she’ll want to make jewelry with you in a minute, and then she’ll want to play the board game. It’s getting her to finish any of it that is the challenge.”
