What It Takes

Draw the Line

After a full day of lounging and swimming, it was finally time to go out and celebrate my birthday. Even though we were celebrating a few days early, it was okay, because the guys had to be back in Boston on my actual birthday.

I grabbed the phone and dialed the number I saw on the flyer. 

"Tony's Pizzeria, what can I get for you?" answered the waiter.

"Hi, I'd like to place an order for delivery. 2 large pizzas. One cheese, one pepperoni, yeah, that's the right address. Janie Tyler. Okay, thanks. Bye." I finished the call and hung up, turning to Steven's sister, who was hovering over my shoulder.

"They said it'll be here in 15 minutes. It's under my name." I told Lynda as I smoothed down my tight black dress. My eyes flicked to Steven, who had just entered the room wearing a black see-through mesh shirt and black pants. Ironically, we matched, and it looked cute. His eyes moved up and down my body, looking me over approvingly. He looked really, really hot.

I filled him in on the happenings. "I just ordered a pizza for the kids. It should be here soon." 

He answered me with a chaste kiss on the lips, then turned to Lynda. "Here's fifty bucks. Just give them all of it." he told her.

I went to the mirror and fixed my make-up, listening intently to the Moms rattling off a list of directions for each child.

"Before he goes to bed he drinks a warm glass of milk. Oh! And make sure he brushes his teeth. His bedtime is 8:30!" said Karen.

"Aaron, keep an eye on Adrian please. Make sure he gets to bed at a reasonable time." Billie shot Aaron a glare.

"Here's his blanket- he sleeps with it every night, and if he gets really upset, I put his pacifier in the bag." April rattled off. "Be good Jesse! Mommy loves you!"

I wasn't worried about Jade. She was old enough to know what to do and what not to do. She was watching some kids movie, with her eyes glued to the screen. I came up behind her and scooped her up. "We're leaving. I love you." I told her as she hugged me tight. 

"Love you too, Mom." she said. I hugged back even tighter and kissed her head, smoothing her unruly black curls down.

Steven picked her up next, kissing her on the cheek. "I love you, baby blue. Be good." he said to her. 

She blushed a bright red. "Love you, Dad." she answered.

I got out the door first, but could hear April and Karen rattling off more lists of things for Lynda to remember about each kid. I rolled my eyes. They would be fine. Lynda was a good person.

"Be good you two! Keep your hands to yourself!" I heard Jade call from inside the house, waving out the window.

"Jade Victoria Tyler!" I scolded. "Get in there and behave yourself!" Steven and I were both laughing at her adult-like comment.

I crawled into the limousine that Steven had rented and picked the end seat. Steven sat down to my right and grabbed my hand.

He was looking at me through the darkness, I could just barely tell. "Are you sure she'll be alright?" he asked.

I wasn't sure if he was talking about Jade or Lynda, but I assumed it was his daughter. "She'll be fine. She's a big girl." I smiled.

"Yeah you're right. There's no need to worry. We're gonna have a good time. It's not every day you turn 34." he shot me a grin that sent a tingle throughout my whole body.

"No, it's not. And I don't remember the last time I went out and partied." I took out my pocket mirror and reapplied a smooth coat of red lipstick.