The Halsteads

𝐤𝗼𝐥𝐥𝐲'𝐬 𝐬𝐢𝐱𝐭𝐡 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐡

A few weeks had past since Kolly's diagnosis and sickness. Everything had calmed back down for the Halstead family. Kolly was back at school, Finn stayed with Jess, and Jay and Hailey were back at work.

And now, it was time for the one thing Kolly looked forward to all year. Her birthday, and her birthday party. And on top of that, since Kolly had a holiday birthday, especially July 4th, she got to see fireworks that night, every year, and she loved every second of it.

Baby Finn and Kolly were in the house with Hailey, while Jay was out back setting up the finishing touches for Kolly's party, before everyone was set to arrive.

In the house, Kolly was playing with some of her toys that Jay and Hailey had given her for her birthday. Lulu, the dog, was laying right beside Kolly. There wasn't a threat at home, but Lulu was always with Kolly.

Hailey had picked up Finn to nurse him, once again, to hold him over throughout the party. After he had been fed, she changed his diaper, and somewhat helped Kolly get dressed.

For her party, Kolly had a shirt that said "Little Miss Independent" on it, to match her theme, and a red, white, and blue tutu as well. Her hair was up in pigtails, with a red bow strategically placed in both of them.

After Hailey had slightly assisted Kolly with getting ready for her party, Kolly headed out back to wait on the guests, while Hailey helped Jay bring out the rest of the food, keeping Finn inside for a bit longer, so he wouldn't get too hot in the heat of early July.

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In Kolly's young mind, it seemed as though hours had passed before the party guests had finally arrived to the house. In reality, it was only about thirty or so minutes of waiting.

The first to arrive were a couple of Kolly's school friends, Riley and Violet, along with their parents. They passed off the gifts they brought for Kolly to Jay, who placed them on the present table. All this time, Lulu was hanging out inside. She would've been allowed outside, but she was not familiar with Kolly's friends or their parents, and might not have seen them as friendly. Lulu wasn't a "bad dog", she was just like any Belgian Malinois out there.

A little while later, the team from Intelligence started to show up. Kim, Adam, and Kevin all showed up right after another. Trudy came after the three of them. And shockingly enough, even Voight came by Kolly's party.

After all the guests had arrived, the party really began. The kids were all playing with one another, playing games and such. The adults were all talking away, along with baby Finn, who was basically attached at Hailey's side all afternoon.

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Soon enough, it was time for cake and presents for Kolly! Everyone gathered around the now six year olds Fourth of July inspired gluten free cake, as they all chimed in for the typical rendition of "Happy Birthday." Jay cut the cake into enough pieces for everyone in attendance, and even a small piece for baby Finn too. He then passed everyone a plate, and they all ate.

After everyone had finished their cake, Kolly got to open her presents. After she opened each present, she read the card that went with it, and made sure to thank each person who gave her something.

The kids all went back to play while the adults finished up their conversations, before everyone began to leave the party.

Once everyone had cleared out from the backyard, Jay and Hailey started the clean up. Hailey took Finn up to bed first, as it was his bedtime. She fed him, put him in his sleep sack, turned on his sound machine, and off the boy went to sleep. Hailey then went back out to help Jay finish cleaning up, while Kolly played with some of her new toys.

After they had cleaned, it was Kolly's bedtime. Jay and Hailey took their daughter to her bedroom, letting her change into her favorite set of Bluey pajamas, brush her hair and her teeth, before hopping into her bed.

Once she was in her bed, Hailey read Kolly a short bedtime story, before she and Jay both gave Kolly a hug and planted a kiss on her cheek. "Goodnight, Kolly girl. We love you" both of her parents said. "Goodnight mama, goodnight daddy, I love you too!" Kolly replied, as Lulu hopped up into bed with her, like the dog would do every night.

"This was the best birthday ever!" Kolly told Hailey and Jay, as she laid her head back onto her pillow. "We're glad you had such a good birthday, baby" Hailey said. "Get some sleep, kiddo, we'll see you in the morning" Jay told her, before turning on her sound machine. He then turned off her light, as he and Hailey left their daughters bedroom, closing the door quietly behind them.