The Stranger on the Train

Chapter 79: Rose's birthday

Pov y/n

I already wake up excited as if it was almost my birthday and not Rose's but I am just excited to see her again and celebrate her birthday together tomorrow.

Work drags a little as I am looking forward to pick her up from school today.

This weekend she'll stay at my apartment and I couldn't be happier about it. Her dad texted me that he will put everything she needs into her school backpack since I pretty much already have most of the things she needs here.
I have some clothes here for her, a toothbrush, bathroom utensils, a bed and a toybox.

When I went grocery shopping yesterday, I made sure to buy some more juice and a few snacks along with wrapping paper to wrap her gift in.
I had a few more phone calls with Scar, concerning Rose's party because she wanted to celebrate with her friends and who am I to say no to that?

It's the middle of March, so the weather is a little unpredictable and going outside can work out great but can also totally go wrong, so we decided on an indoor playground, where Rose and her friends can run around in and play.
I will be there to watch them.

We thought about Rose's dad being there as well but that might just escalate and I don't want to do that to Rose, especially not on her birthday and in front of her friends.
Rose didn't seem to mind that she'll see her father after her birthday and not on the day itself.

Maybe some of the other parents will stay for a while and watch the kids with me but that's up to them.
I am okay with watching them by myself and after all, there are always people there who also pay attention to what the kids are doing.
Rose was allowed to invite six friends, so there'll be seven children in total.
We booked a table there as well where I can sit at and read or so and later on, they will serve fries, chicken nuggets and juice.

Rose already gave the invitations to her friends and they all agreed to come there.
It's a little further away, so I will take Scar's car to drive us there.
Luckily, Rose's friends are brought there by their parents so I don't have to take care of that as well.
Scarlett also already paid for everything, so there should be nothing to worry about. All I have to do is sit there and pay a bit attention to the kids, so they don't get hurt.

After work, I take a subway towards Scar's house to get her car for the weekend. Rose's school ended like two hours ago but she'll be with one of her friends on the playground of the school until I'm getting there. We talked it through with her friend's mom, so it's all settled.

I pull up to the parking lot and turn the car off and get out.
Since I already was here two or three times with Scar, I know where to go and when I get close to the playground, I can hear Rose already laughing.
I watch her and her friend run around, probably playing catch and the mom sitting on a bench nearby, typing something on her phone before putting it away and noticing me. She smiles and I go to sit next to her but Rose notices me before I can sit.

"Mama!" She exclaims and gains some extra speed, running towards me. I get ready to catch her and lift her into the air, making her laugh.

"Hey, my little sunshine." I greet her and place her back down.
For now that's it with the greeting because Rose's friend caught up and Rose has to run away again.

I chuckle and sit down next to the mom. We do some small talk before the children seem to be tired out and come to us. Rose climbs onto my lap.

"Tomorrow is my birthday!" She tells me excitedly and I nod, brushing some sweaty strains from her face.

"I know, sweetie and I am excited about it." I tell her and she nods.
"Me too!" She agrees. "But we still have to make a cake."

Her friend looks over with big eyes and asks what kind of cake since she will be there too tomorrow but Rose just grins and says it'll be a surprise.