A Tribe United Again

Chapter 13

Riley woke up to being swayed and kissed. Her mother held her and was dancing and kissing her face. She squeaked happily.

"Happy birthday, my baby." Marcy spoke low.

Riley didn't even know what a birthday was but she was happy.

ATUA

Riley loved her first taste of ice cream. It was like cold crack.

Mal got her reaction on camera.

Mike picked her up and danced with her. "Ice cream's so good, huh?"

She wrapped her arms around his neck, happy.

"Presents!" Marcy called out.

Mike went to sit among the giant pile of presents. He set Riley in his lap and helped her unwrap them. "Look, Rye! It's a birthday crown!"

Riley loved the jewels. She was definitely her mother's daughter.

Quinn deposited her gift on his lap. "This is from me, Di and Gabi."

Mike opened it but Riley loved the box.

"What is she? a cat?" Marcy raised a brow.

Artie snickered. "You didn't like playing in boxes as a kid?"

She shrugged.

ATUS

Mercedes clicked the button to buy. "Yes!"

"What's going on?" Gina asked.

"I just bought my family's Halloween outfits online."

"Your kids are so cute."

"Thank you!" Mercedes chirped.

"Do you have individual costumes or are you planning on a group costume?"

"Group. We're going as condiments."

Gina laughed. "That's so cute!"

ATUA

"Where is Halloween?" Maddie asked.

Laura didn't hear her at first, she was so engrossed in her work.

"Laura!"

Laura jumped. "Maddie! Inside voice!"

Maddie rolled her eyes. "Where is Halloween?"

"I don't understand."

"Where is the party going to be?"

"Here. Obviously."

Maddie nodded. "Does everyone know that?"

Laura didn't react for three seconds before grabbing her phone off the dining room table.

ATUA

Quinn was so happy. They'd won the right to have the Halloween party at their house that year. She hated that they'd lost rights to Valentine's Day (Marcy won that and New Year's) but they also got SuperBowl Sunday.

Laura got Thanksgiving and Lent.

To make things fair, Karou and Paris got holidays as well. Between all of them and their different cultures, they were having a party for every other week it seemed.

Even the elder Abramses got in on it and wanted everyone to come over for Dia de Muertos, Cinco de Mayo and the Fourth of July.

With the whole next year planned, there should be no fighting.