"Kids aren't the only ones who get birthday parties, Jack." I hugged him. "Happy birthday!"
"But—"
"There's cake!"
"Happy birthday to me." He pulled me close, lifted me off my feet, and kissed me soundly, but when he set me back down, his eyes narrowed. "What is that?"
"Segway collision."
"What?"
I grabbed his hand. "I'll tell you inside, so I only have to tell it once."
By the time I'd told the story to much laughter (everybody) and a little worry (again, everybody), it was time to sing happy birthday and eat cake. After that, we watched Shelley tear into her presents. This party was just family, but she was going to have what Aunt Ruby called a "proper party" with her friends after the holiday.
She loved the guitar and was delighted with the idea of lessons with a "real rock star," which I guess Molly actually was now. She squealed at the Princess Peach pillow and comforter set for her room that I'd found for her and nearly exploded with joy when she opened the package from my cat, Lou, and found the fluffy pink dog bed.
"I get Pickles on Christmas day!"
I raised an eyebrow. "Pickles?"
Aunt Ruby sighed. "Her puppy. She gets to pick out the name."
Jack pulled a small box out of his jacket pocket and presented her with a beautiful gold necklace with a tiny pug pendant on it, and I thought Shelley's tiny body would vibrate clear off the floor with excitement.
"Look in the box again," Jack said. "I think you missed something."
Shelley's eyes widened, and she dug into the box and pulled a piece of paper out from beneath the tissue paper.
"This certificate entitles the bearer to ten puppy training sessions," she read. "Oh, Jack! Really? I got a book, but if you can help, that would be awesome!"
"I can help. I'm kind of good with animals." He grinned at her and then gave her a big hug when she hurled her small body at him. "Love you, kiddo."
"I love you too!" She ran to the couch. "I got you something too! With my own money!"
Jack stared down at the slender wrapped package she thrust into his hands and swallowed hard. I could see the emotion in his eyes and could tell he didn't know exactly how to handle it, so I put an arm around his waist.
"It's okay, Commander Softy," I whispered. "You can have feelings now that you're a civilian."
It surprised a laugh out of him, and he ripped open the paper. It was a magazine.
"Life magazine'sTigers: The World's Most Extraordinary Animal," Jack read out loud, his smile growing with each word. "Well, of course we are."
Shelley jumped up and down. "I know! I read the whole thing! Tigers can climb trees! Didja know? Didja know? And tigers love water and are excellent swimmers! Is that why you gave Tess a pool? And there's lots and lots of pictures, but none of those tigers are as pretty as you."
Jack looked a bit dazed by the flood of questions, but he winked at her. "Well, I am awfully pretty," he confided.
Shelley giggled and danced off to talk to Uncle Mike and Aunt Ruby about the gifts they'd gotten her, and Jack looked longingly at the cake.
"You know, just one more piece…"
"You had three," I reminded him. "And I have a present for you."
I pulled the glitter-dusted envelope out of my bag and handed it to him. "Just a little thing, but I thought you might appreciate it."
He leaned over and kissed me. "You didn't have to get me anything," he began, even as he ripped it open. Then he threw back his head and laughed.
"Steak-of-the-month club. One-year subscription. Feeds six." He looked at me. "Six?"
