Return From The Big Apple

Chapter IV: Once Upon A Time

Well for all the miles between us, and for all the time that's passed
You would think I haven't gotten very far
And I hope my hasty heart will forgive me just this once
If I stop to wonder how on earth you are...

**Lyrics from Trisha Yearwood "The Song Remembers When"

Annabelle's 15th Birthday

"Who's ready for cake?" Riley emerged from the kitchen, carefully carrying a beautifully-crafted mermaid cake into the living room where everyone was gathered.

"I don't know... it looks way too pretty to cut into!" Annabelle stared at it with wide eyes.

"I could eat the whole thing right now!" Lucas piped up next to her.

Lawrence chuckled as he sat on the opposite side with Carl, holding a beer. "Easy, son. You still got one more party left tonight."

"Speaking of which, shouldn't Dan have gotten back yet? You two don't exactly live that far," Carl pointed out.

"I'll give him a ring..." Lawrence pulled his phone out, smiling to himself as he dialed the number. "Did you get lost, mon amour?" His smile grew bigger as he saw Carl roll his eyes. "Just bring it here and we can finish it up later. Everyone's waiting on you."

"Tell Dad to hurry up!" Lucas called out. "Caaaake!"

"You better hurry. Our son's about to dive into Bella's cake, with or without you here." He laughed as the line disconnected. "He's leaving right now. Should be a few minutes."

"Well, I suppose we can get a few pictures in while we wait." Riley smiled as she picked up the camera from the coffee table and aimed it at her daughter standing next to the cake. "Say cheese!"

"Photobomb!" Lucas yelled, jumping into the frame at the last second and making a face.

"Lucas..."

"Yes?" He turned to her with an innocent expression, only to be tackled to the floor a second later. "Hey!"

"Guys, watch out for the cake!"

Carl shook his head and walked over to Riley, who was holding the cake away from the wrestling teenagers. "Those two are you and Dan back in the day... without question," he said, smiling in amusement as he took a drink.

"If I recall, you and I had our share of wrestling matches too, Carl..."

"Can't really call 'em that if I was the one always beating you," he countered with a smirk.

"I'm here!" Daniel called out, bringing everyone to a pause as he dashed into the kitchen, carrying a package under his arm.

"Finally!" Lucas wiggled himself out of Annabelle's grasp. "Now we can have cake!"

"Be out in a second!" Daniel called out from the kitchen. He placed the package on the counter, reaching into his pocket for the ribbon to finish wrapping it up with, when he felt an arm circle around his waist from behind.

"Glad you could join us..." Lawrence's deep voice vibrated against his ear just before he kissed the sensitive spot right below it.

"Everybody's right there..." Daniel squirmed away, laughing quietly as his eyes darted toward the direction of the living room.