Second time lucky

13

The day of the twins party was here and I couldn't help but feel proud at the little people they were becoming. That's not to say they didn't fight or have their breakdowns when I wouldn't let them have cake for dinner, but they were compassionate and caring kids, the kind that offered their treats to other kids at the playground, or asked to help clean the dishes.

I was excited to pick them up from Ava and Brett, who insisted on watching them while I helped set up their party. Honestly it was a relief to have some time alone, even if it was helping the entire Millington clan and my parents set up an over the top party.

Luke was bringing his daughter since his wife couldn't make it, and the older set of twins loved to play with Connor and Emilia when they weren't studying. Plus my parents were here for a few days, paired with Levi, Ava, Kyle, and his mother.

That was the only thing I was worried about. Things had been strained with us. He was still the same old Kyle, he never showed any kind of resentment or acted indifferent, but I knew the lack of intimacy was an issue, but no matter what I did he wouldn't budge.

I had tried everything I could think of, and honestly I was starting to feel like he just didn't want me like that. There wasn't much more I could do to show him that I was over Riley, that he was my person now.

Not only were we strained, but his mom had been in town for the last week and I hadn't seen him since she arrived. I had hoped we could meet each other officially before the party, but clearly it wasn't going to happen.

I tried to dust off the anxiety as Anna handed me some streamers to tie up to the trees and gazebo. Spencer was busy blowing up various floaty toys for the pool while Averleigh stuffed the piñata that Shane and Sophie would ultimately have to break.

Luke was already here and was setting up food in the kitchen to be carried out when everyone arrived and honestly everything was coming together nicely as I finished hanging the streamers.

"I'm going to go pick up the birthday boy and girl, we will be back soon." I announced as I grabbed my keys to leave.

No one batted an eyelid as I disappeared and went home to round the troops. True to the theme of the day, Ava was dressed in a princess shirt while Brett rocked a white shirt with a T-Rex on the front.

"Hey, where are the kids?" I asked as they looked at each other in confusion.

"Kids?" Brett frowned before laughing. "They just woke up from their nap, they are playing in their room."

"You're an ass!" I rolled my eyes at Brett before going upstairs to get them ready.

To my surprise Ava had already dressed them. Connor was in his silver knight suit, which was really just a printed shirt that looked like armor as he waved around his foam sword.

Emelia was in her over the top light pink princess dress, which was actually Anna's old pageant dress from when she was small. It had rhinestones all over the body with a ruffled skirt. I had tried to warn Anna she would ruin it, but she didn't care. Ava had curled her shoulder length hair too, putting the plastic crown in just the right spot.

They were truly spoiled, and that was before the party.

"Hey guys, you ready for your party?" I asked standing in the doorway.

"Mama!" They screamed in unison as they both ran to hug me.

"Can we go now?" Connor asked.

"Yeah, go get your shoes on. I'm going to grab your swim suits and I'll be down in a second." I told them as they rushed out of the room. "Don't run down the stairs." I yelled after them as I grabbed all of our swim suits and a couple of towels and met the smiling duo at the door.