ForEver is Broken

Chapter Three

ForEver is Broken

Chapter Three

    Sitting in the passenger seat I had my hands fisted tightly in my lap. The girls were bouncing and having a tickle fight from their car seats in the back of Wyatt's car as he drove us to William's birthday party. I had even been drug into the small upscale boutique-like toy store to let the girls pick out a gift for the boy on their team. They had chosen a shiny new bright green soccer ball for the boy and a jersey of a local player which Wyatt had assured me was a fan favorite. I knew immediately that we had the right address when the small car pulled up in front of a decently sized home in a posh area of London with Mylar balloons tied to the letterbox by the bright red front door. My brother immediately stepped assuredly from the vehicle and began pulling the girls from their seats as I sat ridged in my own, steeling myself for interaction with the people inside. I started slightly when my door opened to see Wyatt stood with Lena on his hip and Mia's hand clutched in his free one.

    "Alright Everleigh. Lets do this yea?"

    I couldn't answer, it was like I had a frog sat dead in the middle of my throat and I was sure if I did attempt to speak nothing but an unattractive croak would come out. I nodded in a way that I hoped was firmly but was probably just as shaky as my hands were and stepped from the car. My strawberry blonde hair immediately caught in the wind and blew around in front of my face, strands attaching themselves to my lips that I'd just licked in hopes of relieving some of the dryness to no avail. I turned and grabbed the gift bag from the foot well and then moved as Wyatt shut the door and together our little family made it's way to the front door. Wyatt knocked the large brass knocker on the impressive door and the door opened inwards. That was not safe and I couldn't help but want to shake this Emma woman for her lack of common sense in just leaving her front door open like that! Wyatt shrugged and stepped inside despite my squeak of protest. After a moment I followed him, if only to not be left stood on the front stoop alone. The floor plan was rather open, much unlike my own, and you could see clear through to the opened French doors that led to the patio and garden which was where the party seemed to be taking place. After turning and shutting the front door firmly, and turning both locks for good measure, I nodded then quickly hurried after my brother who'd already reached the doors leading to the festivities. I reached the door and clutched the back of Wyatt's button up shirt in my right hand, tightly.

    "Wy, please stay with me, the whole time okay?!" I whispered the words but the near hysteria was still plain in my voice. He turned to look at me over his shoulder and nodded before smiling softly at me.

    "Always baby sis, always okay." I gave him the best smile I could manage at the moment and with a deep breath, stepped through the open door with him, fighting the urge to close it behind me.

~

    "Everleigh! Wyatt! I'm so pleased you were able to attend! Hello Mia and Lena! The kids are all playing in the garden, you all may join them. Can I get you both anything to drink?" I nearly jumped two feet off of the ground at the approach of Williams mom. She seemingly appeared out of nowhere as I was setting the gift-bag on the table that had to be groaning at the weight from the amount off assorted wrapped packages and colorful bags mounted on it. The girls immediately took off to play with the other children already running loose and I was instantly paranoid about being able to keep them within eyesight at all times. Wyatt threw his arm around my shoulder in a way I knew was to appear as simple affection to Emma but in reality was to comfort me.

    "Hi Emma! Thanks again for the invite, the girls were really excited to come today. I'll have a beer if you have any, Everleigh will have water." Wyatt was all smiles and easy going friendliness as he spoke with the prim yet seemingly nice woman before us. She shot me another glance in confusion before she went to fetch our drinks. After her return she and my brother made small talk for a few moments more as I tried to keep both of my girls in view, a feat that was nearly impossible as they ran around with the other children.