Birthday dinner
SARAH
After the celebration—after my dad gave me the car that I absolutely cannot drive, he told me he’d personally take me for a drive tomorrow.
“We’ll take it slow around the estate,” he said, “just you and me.” Then he handed me the keys like it was the most normal thing in the world, like this wasn’t a glittering pink sports car.
We went back inside. Breakfast was quiet. Peaceful, even. The kind of peace I didn’t realise I’d missed. My dad kept giving me looks over his cup, those playful, knowing ones like he was watching me closely, studying my expressions. I laughed more than I had in weeks. For just a while, my problems, the secrets upstairs, the pain, the confusion, faded. They didn’t disappear, but they quieted down.
As we finished eating, I started thinking about Cullen. How was I going to sneak food back to him? I thought maybe I’d say I wanted a second breakfast. Or maybe I could wait until my dad disappeared into his office and then sneak something to him.
But then my father looked up at me and said, “Can I talk to you for a minute? There’s something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about.”
I turned to him, already expecting a second surprise, maybe a dinner reservation somewhere private, maybe even another gift. He’d gone all out today. Why stop now?
“Today is your birthday,” he said gently, “and I know I’ve never really celebrated it with you. Not properly.”
“Dad,” I interrupted quickly, brushing it off, “I understand. Don’t worry about it.”
“I know,” he said, holding my gaze. “But still, I wanted to do something... something good. Something big. I guess I realised I don’t really know you that much.”
He pauses.
“Did you really like the car?”
I smiled. “Yeah. I mean, I don’t know if I’m ever going to be able to drive it—but thinking about it now, it’ll be good bonding time for you and me. And the estate is huge. I can practice here. And hey, if I ever need to run away…” I grinned. “At least now I’ll be able to drive.”
He laughed, genuinely and deep. “That’s good. Because I wanted to give you something you didn’t have. That was the only thing that came to mind. It’s not too pink, is it?”
“It’s kind of too pink,” I said with a small laugh, “but I love that you bought it for me, Dad. I really am happy about it. Don’t worry. It’s perfect.”
His smile faltered just slightly. And I saw it, the shift in his eyes. The tension is building under the surface. He leaned forward on his elbows.
“That’s good,” he said softly. “Because I have something that I don’t think you’re going to be so happy about… to tell you.”
My brows drew together immediately. “What is it?”
“It’s about your birthday,” he began slowly. “Tonight.”
I nod, slowly, watching him.
“Like I said,” he continues, “I wanted to go all out. I wanted to throw you the biggest party of the year....” I frown, he points gently toward my face, “....that’s the reason I didn't do what I wanted to do.”
He sighs, sitting back a little, like he’s trying to hold back everything he’s still not saying.
“I knew that after your marriage, after your accident, and the fact that you’ve only just come back home… a huge celebration wouldn’t feel right. Not for you. Not now.”
He gives me a small, almost guilty smile.
“I knew you weren’t ready to be surrounded by people, to be outside like that. So I forced myself not to do it. And believe me, Sarah, I wanted to. I wanted to celebrate you in a way the whole world would see.”
My hand reaches across the table instinctively, touching his. “Thank you, Dad,” I say softly. “A huge big party is not what I’m interested in right now. Not until I find myself again.”
He squeezes my hand back. “I know, sweetie.”
But then he pauses again, and I know from the change in his face that the easy part is over.
“But...” he begins.
“What is it?” I ask, brows rising slightly.
“Well…” He exhales and glances briefly at the empty plate between us. “We’re going to have a mini birthday party.”
“Really?” I say, unsure whether to laugh or worry. “Mini, huh?”
“Don’t worry,” he says quickly, raising his palms in a gesture of reassurance. “It’s just a family birthday dinner. That’s all. Your brothers wanted to see you. And I thought… since I’ve kept them away for so long, and since certain people have been spreading rumours about this family, about us being divided…”
He leans forward again, serious now.
“…I figured it was time to show them and everyone else that the Sullivans are still one. That we are, in fact, stronger than ever.”
I go still. He must see the shift in my eyes, because he adds, quickly, “They’ll go through a full security check. No weapons. No surprises. I’ll personally ensure that I know where each of them is, every minute of the night. They’ll eat, they’ll talk and they’ll leave. That’s it.”
I mull it over for a few minutes, feeling the weight of it settle on my shoulders.
“Are you going to be okay with it?” he asks gently. “I can't go through with this if you're not comfortable. Say the word, and I’ll call it off.”
I find myself nodding before my voice can catch up. “I think it’s gonna be okay. It’s gonna be fine,” I say, shaking my head as if trying to clear the fog that’s pressing in.
I guess I’m just trying to prove to myself that I’m stronger than this. That I’m not afraid of them. They’re my brothers. Of course, I’ll have to see them one way or another. So I guess my birthday is as good a time as any.
“Are they the only people who are going to be there?” I ask carefully.
“Yes, my dear,” he says with a soft smile. “Just your brothers. No outside guests. No strangers. Just us.”
I nod again. “All right,” I murmur, more to myself than to him. “Family dinner tonight?”
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
