BK 2 - Chapter 30 - Birthday Party
Aiden woke up early on the morning of Kitty's birthday. He had so many surprises for her, and he couldn't wait to get started. She hadn't said anything about her birthday, so he, Cat, and Trey decided not to say anything. They were going to pretend they didn't know it was today.
The first thing Aiden had to do was get Kitty out of the house. Cat and Trey had closed on the group home a few days ago, so he was going to take her over to discuss some of their plans. Cat wanted the guest house completed first, and she loved the ideas he and Kitty had come up with.
Aiden turned over and looked at his sleeping mate. She was so beautiful that sometimes he thought he was dreaming and she wasn't real. He reached over and lightly touched her face. He wanted to get her out of the house early so they could stop somewhere and eat breakfast before going to the house.
Cat and Trey were going to start decorating and setting things up as soon as they left. Valerie and Roger were also coming to the party. He and Kitty had spoken to the older couple many times, especially with the wedding planning. When they heard about the birthday party, Valerie asked if he thought Kitty would be okay if they came.
Kitty tightened her eyes, and Aiden held back his chuckle. He continued rubbing his finger over her cheek and down her neck. He could tell she was fighting against waking up. He leaned over and kissed her lips softly.
"It's not even light outside yet. Why are you waking me up?" Kitty still had her eyes closed, refusing to open them. She could tell it was still dark out because no light was shining on her face like usual.
"I want to take you out to breakfast and then go to the house to go over some of our plans. The cub will be here soon, and I want to have it ready before he comes." Aiden kissed both her eyes, followed by the tip of her nose, before ending at her lips. She groaned but couldn't resist him when he was being so sweet.
"Okay, but you better get me the biggest plate of french toast they have." Kitty opened one eye to look at Aiden, and her heart melted. His dark blonde hair was a mess all over his head, and he was wearing a goofy smile.
"You can have whatever your heart desires." He leaned down and kissed her again, this time more possessively, waking her all the way up. When he pulled back, Kitty smiled up at him as he leaned over her.
"You drive a hard bargain, but let's go. I want to look at the nursery walls to see which one will be best for the mural." Aiden got out of bed and helped her up. They quickly dressed in their typical jeans and t-shirts before heading out.
___________________
Cat heard Aiden and Kitty leave, and she jumped out of bed. Trey tried to pull her back down, but she was determined to get started. She wanted to make everything perfect for Kitty.
"I have to get started. There's a lot of work to do, and don't think you're getting out of helping me, or I'll put Saira on you." While Trey watched, she walked to the closet and put her clothes on. He knew it was a losing fight when his mate had her mind made up, especially when it involved doing something for someone else.
"Alright, you win, but I expect to be compensated for my hard work." Cat giggled when she looked at him.
"Mr. Lion, you found Kitty's mom. Trust me, you'll be well compensated." Trey fell back on the bed laughing at Cat's nickname for him. He and Atlas loved when she called him Mr. Lion, acknowledging both of them.
Ellie had worked miracles to find Kitty's mother, Sandie. She was now living in Denver, Colorado, married with two young children. Trey told Ellie not to contact her yet. He wanted to give the information to Kitty and let her decide what to do with it. Ellie typed everything up and emailed it to Trey. Aiden was going to give it to Kitty at the party.
Cat made him eat cereal, saying she didn't have time to make a real breakfast. Trey watched as she flew around the house with her werelion speed. She was putting up decorations inside and outside while baking a german chocolate cake. He did what she said, and when Valerie got there, she followed Cat's instructions as well.
Roger was at the main house grilling food and would bring it to the pool house when Aiden signaled they were on their way home. Cat finished frosting the cake and writing *Happy Birthday, Kitty* across the top. She then walked around and checked that everything was in place. They had two picnic tables, one for the presents and food and the other for everyone to sit together.
"Aiden just texted me they'll be here in a few minutes. I let Roger know, so he's bringing the meat. Are you ready?" Trey put his arm around Cat as she looked around excitedly. They had everything set up behind the house, so Kitty wouldn't see it until Aiden walked her around back.
"Yes, I hope she's happy and not upset that we did this. Kitty still holds a lot in and doesn't like too much attention directed at her. I don't want her to upset her." Cat frowned slightly as she heard Aiden's car pulling up. Roger was setting the food on the table, and he and Valerie walked over to her.
"I'm sure she's going to love it." Valerie smiled at Cat as they all positioned themselves under the enormous banner that said Happy Birthday. They heard the car doors slamming, and then voices headed in their direction. As soon as they saw Kitty, they all yelled.
"Happy Birthday!"
Kitty jumped backward as she and Aiden came around the house. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. Cat, Trey, Valerie, and Roger stood under a birthday banner covered in balloons with birthday hats. Birthday decorations filled the backyard as though they were expecting a hundred people. She saw a table filled with food and presents.
Kitty didn't know what to say as she looked around. She had thought Aiden had forgotten about her birthday, but she didn't plan on celebrating it anyway. When her eyes met Cat's, she felt tears running down her face.
"You did all this for me?" She asked quietly.
"Yes, this is your birthday party." Cat watched as Kitty tried to wipe away the tears, and she understood that it was overwhelming for her. She walked over and hugged her.
"I've never had a party. I don't know what to do." Kitty whispered as she hugged her friend. She couldn't believe they did this for her, and now she understood why Aiden had been acting funny all morning.
"Well, first, you and Aiden must put your birthday hats on. After that, you can do whatever you want. We have lots of food and presents. So we can eat first, or you can open your presents. The nice thing about being the birthday girl is that you make the rules." Cat handed them their hats, and Kitty looked at Aiden as he put his on.
"I thought you forgot about my birthday." He smiled down at her.
"I could never forget your birthday, sweetheart. I just made you think I did. I can't take credit for this party; Cat put this all together for you." Kitty looked at Cat.
"Thank you, Cat. Let's eat first. I'm starving after being drug out of bed before dawn and eating breakfast almost six hours ago." Everyone laughed as she raised her eyebrows at Aiden. Although she did enjoy their time at the house going over the plans. She had found the perfect wall to paint the mural and would get started once the renovations were done.
Cat led her to the table with all the food, and her stomach growled looking at it. There was enough to feed an army. They each loaded up their plates and sat at the other picnic table. Cat opened a bottle of sparkling grape juice and poured it into plastic wine glasses.
"None of us drink alcohol, but we needed a little celebration bubbly." She winked at Kitty as she handed her cup to her.
Everyone ate until they were so full they could hardly move. Kitty was having the time of her life, enjoying the company of everyone. For this moment, she could forget about the man who wanted her dead. Once the food was put away, Cat looked at her with a smile.
"Well, now that we're done eating, are you ready for your presents?" She blushed as she looked at the table holding the gifts. What they had done was already too much.
"Alright." Kitty didn't want all the attention focused on her, but she didn't have much choice. There was no way she would offend everyone by saying she would open them later. Cat took her over to the table and whispered in her ear.
"Don't worry, Kitty, everyone wants you to enjoy yourself. No need to be nervous." She squeezed her hand, and Kitty immediately felt her embarrassment disappear.
She started with the smallest present, a charm bracelet from Cat. It was white gold and had charms of a lion and lioness, the golden gate bridge, a river boat, and a heart that said Best Friends. She hugged Cat as she put it on. She had never worn jewelry, but the bracelet was beautiful. Next, she opened a present from Valerie and Roger. It was a large easel and ten blank canvases.
"This is a present for you and us. We love your art so much that we thought you needed a proper easel. We would also like you to paint some pictures for us to hang in the house." Kitty stared at Valeria as she ran her finger over the gorgeous easel.
"Thank you, it's beautiful." She went through her other gifts of clothes, knick-knacks, and a gag gift from Trey of stilts because she was so short. Cat gave him a bad time for that one saying she and Kitty were the same height.
When she thought she was done, Aiden pulled out a brown manilla envelope and handed it to her. She noticed everyone had big smiles as they watched her open it. Kitty pulled out the piece of paper that said
*Birth Mother - Sandie Byrne. Location - Denver, Colorado.*
"Aiden, what's this?" Kitty whispered as she stared at the paper in her hand that included an address and phone number.
"That's your birth mother's information. Trey was able to locate her for you." She looked at Trey, and he stepped forward.
"Ellie did most of the work. She also discovered that your mother was only fifteen and living on the street when she had you. Sandie had wanted an open adoption. However, the agency she went through wasn't legit, so they changed your birth certificate to show Jane Doe. Most likely, she had no idea, but the adoptive parents did. She is now living in Denver, married with two kids."
Kitty couldn't hold back her emotions anymore as she fell to her knees sobbing. She was happy and sad all at the same time. Her mother was so young when she had her, and now it made sense why she had put her up for adoption. However, Kitty was hurt, knowing she had two other children who were good enough to keep.
"If she wanted an open adoption, that meant she was okay with you looking for her. Trey and Ellie didn't reach out to her yet. They wanted to wait to see what you decided to do." Aiden was kneeling next to Kitty, holding her as she cried.
"I know, and I'm happy they found her. I don't know what to feel right now; it's too much." She felt pain piercing her chest, and she was light-headed. She tried to catch her breath, but she was having trouble.
"Cat, go hug her now," Trey whispered to his mate.
Cat looked at him in confusion but did as he said. As soon as her arms were around Kitty, she could feel her emotions and pain as if they were her own. Kitty gasped in surprise. She thought she was spiraling out of control, and then suddenly, she was calm again with a clear head.
"Thank you, Cat. I don't know how you do that, but I feel better already." She stood up with Aiden and Cat's help.
"Trey, how did you know I could help her?" Cat asked quietly.
"I wasn't sure, but I know how you help me and what they've said about touching you. Something in you, Cat, makes us feel better. Hopefully, we'll know what it is soon."
Cat and Trey snuck into the house and grabbed the cake with nineteen candles. When the others saw them, they started singing happy birthday and Kitty blushed. Even though she was still full from all the food, her mouth watered as she looked at Cat's cake. Seeing happy birthday and her name on it filled her with so much joy it almost took her breath away.
Kitty had the most emotional birthday in her life, but she felt it was worth it. She knew about her birth mother and was hoping they could connect eventually. She still wondered about her father. Who had gotten a fifteen-year-old girl pregnant? She was also curious as to why her mother had been homeless at a young age. Those were questions she hoped to find out if she and her mother met.
