Learning to Swim

Chapter 24

Chapter 24

“Happy Birthday!” Maggie shouts and tackles me in a hug. I thank her and then yawn hugely, still half-asleep. I only woke up a few moments before I stumbled out of my room and to the kitchen where everyone else is already awake.

After we arrived yesterday, Liam showed us to the little beach cottage we would be staying in while we are here. I felt really bad at first that he was spending this kind of money because of me, but he explained that it was a lot cheaper since it’s the winter and not a lot of people rent out beach houses during this time of year. I’m sure it was still way more money than I wanted him to spend on me, but there really isn’t much I can do about it now.

Once we were settled, Maggie and I, along with Addie, decided to go grocery shopping so that we had some food in the house. By the time we were finished with this it was late and everyone agreed that we should just stay in for the rest of the night. We still had a really good time, talking and laughing about the stupidest of things until late at night.

“We made you breakfast,” Daniel says and motions to a tray of cinnamon muffins which happen to be my favorite.

“Aw, you guys didn’t have to do that,” I reply and then snatch a muffin.

“Guys had nothing to do with it. I had to kick the two of them out of the kitchen after they started catching things on fire,” Maggie amends and rolls her eyes at them both.

“Hey! It was an accident. And it was just a little flame, no big deal. We handled it,” Daniel responds defensively and Maggie’s glare softens into a grin.

“How did I not wake up for all this?” I wonder.

“You were really tired. I didn’t want to wake you up,” Liam tells me and walks over to give me a kiss. “Happy birthday, Dakota.”

“Sissy!” Addie chirps and wraps her arms around my leg while looking up at me. “Do you like the muffins? Maggie let me help.”

“Really? Well, they are delicious,” I reply and tap my finger to her nose. She giggles before doing a little twirl for me.

“We should probably be going soon,” Maggie declares suddenly and I look at her confused.

“Where are we going?” I ask.

“We are going nowhere. Daniel, Addie, and I are going into town to do some shopping and maybe see a movie if there is anything Addie wants to watch.”

“Why?”

“Because we are giving you and Liam some time alone for your birthday. We’re going to meet up with you later, but he has some things planned for you today,” Maggie responds and I turn to Liam with a questioning gaze.

“Let me guess, it’s a surprise,” I say before he even has a chance to open his mouth.

“You know me so well,” he laughs and I groan. I know by now not to argue with him about surprising me. He is going to continue doing it no matter what I say. “You know you love my surprises.”

“It’s the waiting that I hate. Patience has never been something I was all that good at,” I respond and he grins before kissing me softly.

“Then I guess I shouldn’t make you wait long. Go get ready and we will be out of here,” he tells me and I immediately run back into my room, looking for something to wear. I’m excited to find out whatever he has planned because I’m sure it will be something amazing.

I get ready in record time and eagerly make my way back out into the kitchen. Maggie is sitting at the table watching Addie while she colors a picture. They both look up when I enter and I walk over to the table.