Redemption Chapter 77 Turning 6
‘’I can’t believe she is turning six tomorrow.’’ Gabby sits with Jade turning the pages of a photo album, looking at pictures of a newborn Evie.
‘’I know. I still remember the day she was born.’’ Jade comments, looking down, with a smile at a picture of thirteen year old Gabby holding her newborn sister.
‘’Yes, we used to fight over who got to hold her. I think if mom hadn’t been nursing her, she might have never got to hold her.’’ Gabby replies, with a laugh, ‘’ and now my little bug is turning six. It is hard to believe.’’
‘’Are you all ready for her party?’’
‘’Yes, scheduled for four tomorrow. After school and late enough to allow her friends to get here.’’
‘’Still pink princess theme?’’
‘’Yes. It may be uncomfortable for the little boys but..’’
‘’But it is her party.’’
‘’Exactly. Are you still able to come by and help set up?’’
‘’Of course..’’
‘’I just thought you might have had plans.’’
‘’On my nieces birthday, no.’’
‘’How is it going?’’ She is beyond curious. Jade had know everything about she and Eli's courtship. This is different but Jade was her best friend.
‘’We are taking things slow. She knows it is my first relationship with, well, so slow.’’
‘’You aren't comfortable with it.’’Gabby states as she gets up to put together Evie's back from school snack.
‘’No not completely. It is weird. I am happy but, it is all so new. All of it.’’ She responds, following Gabby into the kitchen.
‘’I get that.’’ Gabby says as they hear the front door open and Evie's voice.
‘’My birthday’s tomorrow!’’ she sing songs out as she runs into the kitchen.
‘’That’s right. My niece is getting so big. I don’t know if I like that.,’’
‘’It’s okay Aunt Jade. I am still your little princess.’’
‘’And you always will be.’’ She wraps her up in a hug. She hugs her sister next. They then sit down to milk and cookies and Evie tells them about school.
‘’And then Joey pulled Heather's hair.’’
‘’It means Joey likes Heather.’’ Jade informs her niece.
‘’But, he is so mean to her.’’ Jade and Gabby both laugh.
‘’I know it sounds funny but boys, at this age, don’t know how to tell girls they like them so they are mean to them. It is all they know to do.’’ Jade explains.
‘’But Evie, as they get older, they do learn nicer ways to tell them.’’
‘’So Eli is never mean to you?’’
‘’Never. Evie when boys are little and pull your hair and little things like that, they like you. But, as they get older if they continue or start, that isn’t love. Evie it is never ever okay, for a boy or man to really hurt a girl or woman. If anyone ever hurts you, you will tell me, Eli, or Aunt Jade, right?’’
‘’I will.’’ She says in a small voice.
‘’I am sorry Evie, I didn’t mean to scare you. I just can’t stand the thought of you being hurt.’’
‘’No one will hurt me. Eli and God won’t allow it.’’
‘’You are right Evie. Now go change out of your school clothes.’’
‘’Okay.’’
‘’What was that about?’’ Jade asks when she leaves. She gives her the condensed version of what had happened to Beth.
‘’That is truly awful.’’
,’’Yes, I knew such things happen. But, I didn’t know anyone personally that it happened to.’’
‘’I am glad she is safe.’’
‘’Me too.’’
‘’Hello beautiful ladies.’’ Eli's voice enters the room ahead of him.
‘’Eli.’’ Gabby greets her husband with a huge smile.
‘’Gabby,’’ He returns her smile and brings him to her for a kiss.
‘’They are always doing that.’’ Evie says when she enters the room.
‘’Warned you.’’ Her Aunt Jade says with a smile.
The next day, Jade arrives at her niece’s house, armed with tons of party supplies. She and Gabby spend the next few hours, blowing up balloons, hanging banners, and otherwise decorating the house for Evie's Princess themed party.
Jade hand made her a princess dress complete with a tiara. They set-up a area for games, a table for gifts, and the strawberry shaped cake shaped like a princess. Jade runs to get it while Gabby finishes getting the house ready.
Evie arrives in time to help them get the food set out. They are having sandwiches and chips to go with the cake and ice cream. She jumps up and down, with excitement, when she sees the decorations. They dress her in the princess dress, and with tears in her eyes, Gabby takes a ton of pictures.
Eli surprises her by dressing up as Prince Charming and entertains the children with stories, to the delight of the girls. The boys, including Eli's nephew, Mark, pretend to be unimpressed but hang on to every word, moving closer as the stories come towards their climaxes.
Evie gets new clothes from her Aunt Jade, princess dolls from her sister and Eli, and tons of other toys. The children play games, eat cake and sandwiches , and listen to Eli’s stories, Biblical stories set in modern times.
Everyone has a great time. The party lasts until seven. By the time her last guests has left, Evie is dragging. She stays awake long enough to get a bath. She falls asleep in the middle of her prayers.
