I’ve got so many promises I’d like to make to her, if she’ll let me.
19
December
After weeks of behind-the-scenes planning, it’s the morning of Gemma and Bennett’s birthday. Having a birthday two days before Christmas can’t be fun, but I intend to make the day special for each of them.
Starting with Gemma. It’s her sixteenth birthday and I’ve been an emotional wreck just thinking about it, but now that the day is here, I’m excited for what I’ve got in store for her.
Bennett’s been gone for the past five days for the team’s away series in Canada and his flight lands back in Minnesota right about the time I drop the kids off at school. Although today, only Gunner will go to his last day of school before winter break, while I bring Gemma to her driver’s test. If she passes, she’ll be a licensed driver and I’m not sure how to feel about that.
Tonight, Gemma and Bennett think we’re going to a team holiday party. Little do they know, our friends and family will all be gathered at the restaurant we rented out to surprise them.
Just as I flip the last low-carb pancake, Gemma comes into the kitchen and I use the spatula as a microphone. “Good morning birthday princess! In honor of your sweet sixteen, I’ve made a batch of your favorite pancakes!”
She rounds the island to give me a big hug, and I have to look up at the balloon-covered ceiling in order to blink back the tears threatening to break free. “I love you so much, Gems. I can’t believe you’re already sixteen. Stop making me feel so old!”
Her shoulders shake with laughter, but I don’t let her go. “You are old, nothing I can do about that. I love you too, Scar. Thank you so much for making the pancakes and taking me to my test today.”
This. This is the best feeling in the world. Being hugged by my little sister and hearing her laugh. Things were tense between us for a few months and I tried talking to her countless times, but she’d been shutting me out. I couldn’t figure out if she was still upset about how she found out about the engagement, or if she was mad about the fact that I’m engaged in the first place. However, I doubt it’s the latter, because she’s told me how much she loves Bennett living with us. Since he moved in, they’ve been playing guitar almost every night he’s home after she finishes her homework. It’s become my favorite nightly routine to listen to them play by the fire together with the guitar Bennett helped us pick out a few weeks ago. Something has changed recently, though, because the past few weeks things between us have felt more settled and she’s back to being my easygoing little sister. I’m not even sure what’s changed.
“Absolutely,” I tell her before turning her by her shoulders to face the birthday banner I made for her that hangs above the island with two gift bags beneath it.
“What are these?” she asks as she makes her way over to the bags. “You’ve already done so much, I didn’t need anything.”
“Gunner, Gems is about to open her presents!” I call to him before I hear loud footsteps stomp down the stairs.
“Happy birthday, Gemmy!” Gunner shouts, running to give her a hug.
“Thank you, Bug. I love you!”
“Love you mostest. Now open mine first,” he tells her as he points to the rainbow paper bag he painted himself.
Gemma rips the rainbow tissue paper out of the bag and pulls out a painting Gunner did for her. It’s of the two of them on the ice together. It’s such a sweet moment that I know meant so much to him.
“This is so getting hung up in my room! Thank you so much,” she says as she wraps her arms around him.
“You’re welcome. Now open that one,” he tells her.
Gemma opens the teal gift bag, her eyes widen before she looks up at me.
“No way.” I nod back at her and tears swell in her eyes. “A Taevin Gray T-shirt?”
“And . . .”
“And a signed poster? How did you get this?” She does a happy dance and squeals in excitement.
“Bennett had a connection. Do you like them?”
“Like them? I love them! Thank you.”
“It’s my pleasure, Gems. Oh shoot, I forgot, there’s one more on my phone.” I pause to look through my phone before handing her the phone.
“Shut up! Are these tickets to see her when she’s in town?”
“They are. And . . . Bennett was able to get you backstage passes for a meet and greet with her after the show.”
“Shut. Up. Oh my god, I have to call him to say thank you,” she says, pulling out her phone.
