Spider-Girl

Chapter 15: Sweet Nineteen

                 Today is Wynonna's birthday, she's officially nineteen! She's having cake, and hopefully no presents. She's having a small get together this afternoon. She knows Billy's coming, Charlie, Sue and Harry. Seth is coming with his parents and Leah has done declared she's going to the store but will be right back.

             Wynonna is sitting with Eliza while Nigel is at school. Eliza is okaying with a Barbie doll in her play pin. She's been doing good with the potty training. She's walking and talking some more. She turns two this month, November, on thanksgiving.

               "Mama!" Eliza coos. "Hungy (hungry)."

           Wynonna picks up her one and a half year old and carries her to the kitchen. She puts her in the high chair and makes some oatmeal for Eliza's breakfast. Leah's been gone for an hour. Wyn doesn't mind the alone time with Eliza, honestly.

           Wynonna hears her laptop ringing from the living room after she lets Eliza down. She walks to the couch and sees Esme's skype name. Wyn hesitates as Eliza walks in and she answers it. Esme's flawless face fills the screen.

             "I promised Edward and Jasper I wouldn't be in contact, but I had to wish you a happy birthday," Esme says. "And Nigel a happy belated birthday."

           Wynonna grimaces at Jasper's name, she hadn't heard it since they left. "Thank you, Esme. I have a new best friend now. One who won't leave me."

           "I'm sorry for leaving," Esme coos as Jasper walks in. "How are the kids?"

           "They're good," Wyn replies, Jasper tenses at her voice. "I've been keeping my head up high for them. They're my world."

            "I know," Esme replies as Leah walks in with a wrapped present.

          "Leah, I said no presents!" Wyn protests as she looks at her friend, Esme watches sadly.
  
           "And I told you to suck it up," Leah replies as she lays the present down. "Mom said she'd bring Nigel home as soon as school on the rez let's out."

           Wyn nods and Leah heads upstairs for a shower. Wyn says goodbye to Esme and hangs up. She picks Eliza up and snuggles with her. Eliza sighs in content and lays her tiny head on Wynonna's shoulder.
***-***

             Sue comes by with Nigel when school lets out, and with a chocolate cake with m&m's around the edge, on the top and bottom if the cake. Sue had baked it and decorated it herself while Nigel was in school.

           Sue lights the candles while Harry discussing fishing tactics with Charlie and Billy. Bella is still in her room, in the rocking chair. She's even missing Wyn's birthday. Wynonna is fairly hurt by Bella's actions, but she's still keeping her head up. For Nigel and for Eliza.

              Leah hands Wyn the present from her. Wynonna sighs and she opens it, finding a leather jacket. A grand new one, one she's wanted since she first saw it the day after the Cullens left. Wyn thanks Leah and she gets the rest of her presents.

            Charlie got her a landline phone because he knows she wanted one. Billy and Harry cahooted together and got her some fishing gear, knowing she wants to learn how to fish really bad. Harry agreed to give her lessons, as well as Charlie and Billy.

               Nigel and Eliza's love and being her kids are enough of a present for Wynonna. But Nigel drew Wynonna a picture. It's stick figures of him, Wyn, Eliza, and Jasper.

            "Nigel, why is Jasper in this?" Wynonna asks wirh a shaky voice.

         "Because I know he will come back," Nigel replies. "Even if you move on, he will come back."

           "I'm no so sure," Wynonna whispers. "What about cake?"

           "There's one thing I want you to do," Leah says, "for me."

           "What's that?" Wyn asks Leah.

          "Go apologize for Sam and Emily after the party," Leah says. "I can't contonue holding a grudge over their relationship. They seem to be happy... and in love. And I can push the hurt back if you want to be friends with Emily. I saw the want in your eyes yesterday during Nigel's party."

             Wynonna agrees. She does want to be friends with Emily. Maybe not best friends because Leah has that role, but a friend. Wyn would never argue about having more than a couple friends. She has Esme, and Leah. And soon, hopefully, she'll have Emily as a friend.
***-***

               When Charlie brings the Nigel home with him, Wyn gets directions from Harry and drives to Sam and Emily's place on the rez with Eliza. She parks behind a Jeep and Emily steps out, dusting her hands off on her apron.

               Wyn gets out and gets Eliza. "Emily. I'd like to apologize for how I acted yesterday," she says as she walks up to the steps.

            "It's okay... I understood," Emily replies as Sam steps out. "Want to come in?"

             "Can you take her?" Wyn asks. "I brought you guys some cake... today's my birthday..."

          "What flavor?" Jared asks as he comes running out.

         "All chocolate," Wynonna replies as Emily takes Eliza, who smiles and touches the scarred cheek on Emily's face. "She likes you," Wyn adds and she walks to her car.

           Paul watches as Wyn enters with cake as he walks in from patrol. He pauses as he looks at the sugary delight in a leftovers, plastic bowl.

             "This saves me from baking," Emily claims as she gets four bowls after putting Eliza down with Wyn's permission. "Would your girl want a slice?"

           "She just had some at home," Wyn replies as Eliza stumbles across the kitchen and reaches up to Wynonna, who bends and picks her up. "And Sam, I apologize for how I treated you yesterday."

             "It's okay," Sam replies, his voice still as deep as Wyn remembers from yesterday. "I showed up unannounced to your son's party. That was Emily, she wanted to bring him a present."

          "The stuffed wolf," Wyn smiles. "Nigel loves wolves, so good choice in gift."

             "Sue made the cake, didn't she?" Emily asks. "I know her baking."

          "Yeah..." Wynonna smiles. "That woman has become like a mother to me since I moved to Forks and she started watching the kids."

           Eliza begins wiggling in her mom's arms, wanting down. Liza stumbles up to Sam once she's on the floor and he glances down at her with a raised eyebrow, grinning a little in amusement as Eliza reaches up. Sam looks at Wyn, who nods in approval and Sam lifts the one and a half year old.

           "When's her birthday?" Emily asks.

        "On thanksgiving," Wynonna replies. "My parents had us around October and November. I'm the eldest, as you probably guessed."

            Emily smiles at the little girl in Sam's arms, Eliza is studying Sam's bare chest but is loving his body temperature. Sam watches as the girl smiles and she looks at her mom, who is talking to Emily about her life in Seattle and losing her parents.