Caroline Buchanan was on the phone with her best friend, Jennifer Edwards. They were discussing her son Luke's birthday party.
"Jennifer, you just have to come! Luke adores his Aunt Jen, and it wouldn't be the same without you! Please? I promise it will be low-key. Just cake, a few entrees, appetizers, and presents. He's turning 6, so it's not like we will be playing lots of loud party games or anything. We are renting a bounce house and they are going to go wild in that. And after it's over, maybe you and I can run get a pedicure, or hang out and watch a movie, maybe?
"Ok, ok. I guess I will come, for you though. What can I bring?"
"Well, as far as contributing the food and stuff, how about some of that fabulous feta dip that you make? As far as presents for Luke, he's really into Batman right now, and trucks. If you could find a toy dump truck with Batman on it, you'll have a best friend for life".
"I will do my best".
"Sunday at 1, but you can come early to help out and hang out if you want".
"Ok, sounds great, see you then".
Jennifer hung up the phone, and got back to work. She was currently researching a company for an article she was going to write. The company, Moonrise Innovations, LLC, was suspected of money laundering and insider trading. Jennifer had stumbled upon some documents and she could tell that at any moment, this story was going to blow wide open.
She worked very intently on her article till about 4, and then called it a day and headed home. She made a short list of things she wanted to do that night: Chinese food, bubble bath, sleep.
She came into her apartment and put her stuff down. She had lived in New York City since she graduated college and loved the city almost as much as a born and bred New Yorker would.
She made a quick grocery list of things to get for the feta dip and her normal groceries for the week.
She was just about to get into the bath when the phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Hey, it's me. Patrick and I were talking and we are going to turn it into an adult party after the party is over."
"Meaning what?"
"Meaning that after Luke opens his presents, anyone who wants to hang out can, and we can just play games or do whatever, and I will put a movie on for the kids upstairs. We can either have everyone bring something to contribute, or we can order pizza, whatever we all want to do."
"Sounds fun".
"Patrick has one request though. He wants you to make that dip that you made last Winter, the one with the fries?"
"Loaded Baked Potato dip? I think I can do that. But I would need to assemble it at your house and refrigerate it while we have the party, and then I can bake the fries after the party is over".
"That's fine. If you want to make that, he and I will chip in for your part of the pizza. Or we will tell everyone that we will order the pizza, and they can all bring side dishes".
"Ok, sounds good".
"And little miss Savanna is so excited that you are coming over, you know how much she loves her Aunt Jeffer".
"Aunt Jeffer loves her too. And Aunt Jeffer is beyond ready for some best friend time with Caroline".
"Perfect! See you in two days!"
They hung up the phone and Jennifer climbed into the bath.
Her phone rang as soon as she got out.
"Hello?"
"Baby, I miss you. Want me to come over?"
"Hi Tim."
"We could have the most romantic night, Jennifer. Come on, whadya say?"
"No thank you, Tim. I have plans".
"Plans? To do what? Order in Chinese, take a bubble bath and go to bed early?"
"There is nothing wrong with a night of solitude, Tim. And besides, it's not like we are still a couple. You live your life, I live mine".
"I miss you, Jennifer, I know you miss us".
"This is not up for discussion, Tim. Goodnight".
She hung up the phone and continued on with her plans.
She ordered Chinese from her favorite place, Wok Garden.
She was in bed by 10, and couldn't have been happier.
***Sunday***
Jennifer pulled up outside Caroline and Patrick's house and parked. She grabbed her purse and her bags of groceries and headed for their front door.
She was just about to ring the doorbell when the door opened.
"Aunt Jeffer!"
"Hi Savvie".
She bent down to give her a kiss.
"Want to help me with my stuff?"
"Ummm… I want to take your purse".
"Ok, it's a deal".
Savanna took her purse while Jennifer carried the rest of the grocery bags into the house.
"Hey hey".
"Hi. Savanna let me in".
"I'm not surprised, she's been watching for you for the past 3 hours".
Patrick breezed into the room with Luke.
"Hey Superwoman! Glad you could make it".
"Hey yourself! Hiya Luke, happy birthday buddy".
She and Luke exchanged a high 5.
Jennifer got busy making the feta dip for the birthday party.
"Aunt Jeffer, I want to cook with you".
"Ok."
She picked her up and set her on the counter.
"What if you are the stirrer, after I get everything cut up?"
"Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!"
Jennifer got a bowl and Caroline's kitchen scissors, and cut up some green onions. She then sliced and diced a couple tomatoes and put them in the bowl. She got out the platter that the dip was going on, and poured some olive oil on the bottom, and then put the tomatoes and onions on top. She got out a spoon and opened the feta cheese and let Savanna put scoops of feta in, and then she let her sprinkle the Greek seasoning on top.
"Now what?"
"Now, we put this in the refrigerator".
Jennifer covered it with Saran Wrap and put it in the refrigerator, and then started on the next dip.
"Savanna, why don't you get your stool?"
"Ok mommy".
Jennifer helped her off the counter and put her down and she grabbed her stool and climbed up.
Jennifer started making the Loaded Baked Potato dip.
"You get to pour all the ingredients in, but you have to listen to what I tell you, ok?"
Savanna nodded.
They poured sour cream into a bowl, and then added packages of sliced bacon pieces, and shredded cheddar cheese. Jennifer cut up some more green onions, and just a couple drops of hot sauce. She got a big wooden spoon, and let Savanna stir it till it was all combined.
"Now what?"
"Now, it also goes in the fridge".
She covered it with saran wrap, and then put it in the fridge and washed the dishes.
"What are we cooking next?"
"Next, we are going to help your mommy".
The doorbell rang and Savanna ran off to get it.
"Mommy!"
Caroline ran to get it, while Jennifer finished up the dishes.
She came back a few minutes later, and had a man with her. He was tall, dark, and handsome. Looking at him made Jennifer's heart skip a beat.
"Jennifer, this is Patrick's friend, Jonathan. Jonathan, this is my best friend Jennifer Edwards".
"Hi, it's nice to meet you".
"Hi".
"Patrick is out back getting the bounce house set up, if you want to go out there".
"Thanks".
Jonathan headed out the back door to speak to Patrick.
Caroline and Jennifer made pigs in a blanket, a veggie and dip tray, a fruit and cheese tray, and meatballs on a stick.
Jennifer organized the table and got the drinks set up and the plates and napkins and silverware all set out, while Caroline got all the platters on the table.
"So, what article are you working on now?"
"I am researching an article about a company tied to money laundering. I can't say too much more than that, as I am still deep in the discovery stage".
"Sounds interesting".
After they had everything all set up and ready, they headed to Caroline and Patrick's room so that they could freshen up.
Savanna wanted Aunt Jeffer to carry her, so Jennifer happily agreed and carried her back there.
Jennifer grabbed Caroline's curling wand and curled her hair in sections. Savanna sat on the counter watching Jennifer's every move.
After Jennifer was done, Savanna hopped down.
"Savvie, you can go put on your party dress now if you want".
"Yeah!" She took off running.
Jennifer was still curling her hair.
"So, is your sister coming today?"
"No, she said she was too busy. I mean, she had to lay on the guilt trip about us missing her kid's birthday party when Patrick's dad passed away, to the point where we drove 8 hours just to be at the party that seriously only lasted an hour, but she's too busy to come 2 hours here. Ok, whatever".
"On one hand, I'm glad I didn't have to deal with things like that from my siblings, since I didn't have any. On the other, it's a pretty lonely childhood, when you are the only kid."
"Think about if you are the only kind of sibling".
"What do you mean?"
"Well, like say hypothetically speaking, take Luke for instance. He already has a sister, but what if he had two?"
"Well, yeah, that could be kind of lonely for him, I guess".
"And then again, he could end up with a brother and that would mean Savanna is the odd one out. Her personality would take that and run with it".
Jennifer chuckled. "Yeah, she would".
"Then again, they might all three get along".
"Well, I suppose someday you will find out".
"Someday….or maybe in about 8 months".
Jennifer's eyes widened.
"Are you serious?!"
Caroline nodded.
"It's a secret though, and I mean a for real secret. I haven't even told Patrick yet. I was going to tell him just before the party today".
Jennifer put the curling wand down.
She turned and hugged Caroline.
"I'm so happy for you".
"Thanks, I'm pretty excited".
"How did you find out?"
"Well, I was moody as hell and we ordered dinner delivery one night, and nothing tasted right. And literally every smell in the history of the world was making me sick. So, I went the other day and got a test and it came back positive. So, I followed up with the doctor this week. It's been killing me to not tell Patrick but I wanted to tell him in person and he just got home from traveling last night. His flight was delayed, and I was fast asleep by the time he got home. And then I was going to tell him this morning at breakfast, but he's been so busy putting Luke's gift together and then dealing with the bounce house".
"I'm sure he'll be thrilled".
"Cautious, but thrilled."
"So did the doctor give you a due date?"
"Yeah, leave it to this kid to be born in a different month. My birthday is in January, Patrick's is in February, Luke shares March with his cousin, Savanna shares May with her grandma, and this kid is due in December. Nobody else in the family has a December birthday."
"This is so exciting!"
"Yeah, it really is. I am going to go tell Patrick now, so that he won't be in the dark any longer. But we aren't telling anyone till we are out of the first trimester".
"I'm sure it will be here before you know it".
They went out to the living room then, and found Jonathan and Patrick sitting on the couch.
"Patrick, can you help me with something on the patio?"
"Sure".
Jennifer sat down on the couch, and Savanna came and found her.
"Aunt Jeffer, can you button me?"
"What's the magic word?"
"Please".
"Yes, I can".
Jonathan got up and went to the patio.
Caroline came back inside a few minutes later.
"How did it go?"
"We got interrupted. Listen, can you do me a favor and entertain Jonathan?"
"Entertain him? I don't even know him! What do you expect me to say to him?"
"I don't know. Just make small talk with him, long enough for me to tell Patrick".
"5 minutes, and then I'm releasing him".
"Got it. Come over to the table and I will ask him to help you with the ice bucket. You can fill it and he can lift it".
"Ok".
Caroline went out to the patio, and a few minutes later, Jonathan came back in.
"Hey would you mind lifting this onto the table?"
"Absolutely".
"Thank you".
He lifted the tub and set it on the other end of the table.
"Perfect".
"So, how long have you known Patrick and Caroline?"
"Caroline and I were roommates in college for a semester. I was a bridesmaid in their wedding. How about you?"
"I met Patrick in college as well. But I wasn't able to attend their wedding, as I was away in the Navy. I don't get to see them often, as I don't even live here. I live in California, I'm just in town on business".
"That's nice".
Caroline and Patrick came back inside and Jennifer could tell from the look on her face that she had told him.
People started arriving then and things got busy, so they didn't have a chance to talk.
As expected, Savanna didn't want to leave Aunt Jeffer's side. The birthday party was loud, but went by quickly. The kids loved the bounce house and stayed in there a long time. There weren't a lot of adults at the party, which was fine.
Everyone was leaving around 4, and Jennifer and Jonathan stayed behind.
Savanna had fallen asleep on Jennifer's lap, so Jennifer took her upstairs and put her in bed and came back down.
All the adults were sitting on the couch. Patrick and Jonathan were watching basketball, and Caroline was putting one of Luke's toys together.
"Thanks for putting Savanna to bed. She adores you. She'll be so excited when she remembers that you were the one who she slept on".
"She's such a cute little girl."
"Ok, so are we ordering pizza?"
"If you guys want to".
"I brought your dip, Patrick".
He gave her a thumbs up.
Jennifer got up to go turn the oven on.
"Can you grab a beer when you come back?"
"Certainly".
Patrick filled Jonathan in on how good the baked potato dip was.
"That sounds good. Why don't you bring us all some?"
"As soon as it's ready, you can come help yourself".
She got the waffle fries out of the freezer and turned on the oven the way it said on the package.
She grabbed Patrick his beer and took it to him.
"Thank you".
"Sure".
Jennifer headed back to the kitchen.
"Hey, Jennifer was it?" *Snap, snap*
Jennifer stared at him in disbelief.
"Did you just snap at me? Like actually snap your fingers at me?"
"Yes. I was only trying to get your attention".
"Try talking next time".
Jennifer stayed in the kitchen, getting the dip ready. She could hear Patrick and Caroline tell Jonathan to be nice to her.
"She snapped at me too. Verbally, I mean".
"Yeah, well you physically snapped first, and you treated her like she's supposed to wait on you all the time, which she isn't. So you might want to apologize".
Jennifer was cleaning up the dishes from the party, and condensing the trays on the table when Jonathan came into the kitchen.
"Hey, can we talk a second?"
"We can try".
Jennifer was kneeling down picking up some spilled chips.
"I just wanted to-"
He went to set his drink down on the counter and accidentally knocked a bowl of salsa off of the counter, making it spill down the cabinets, onto the floor and onto Jennifer.
"Ugh!"
"I'm sorry".
"It's fine".
"I really am sorry".
"It really is fine!"
She stood up and glared at him.
He smirked and walked away.
"Caroline-where is your dustpan?"
"I'm coming, hang on".
She came and helped her clean up the mess, and then Jennifer took the fries out of the oven and the dip out of the refrigerator.
"I should probably go, my shirt is covered in salsa".
"No, don't go. You can borrow something of mine".
They headed to the bedroom so that Jennifer could change.
"I cannot believe him. How do you stand him being here? He's absolutely insufferable".
"He's Patrick's best friend. I would never tell him who he can be friends with"
"I don't know how you do it, honestly".
"He's really not that bad, Jennifer. He's just your typical Bachelor."
"Bachelor? Try Chauvinist".
Jennifer put Caroline's top on, and Caroline took Jennifer's top to the washing machine.
Jennifer came back out and went to the kitchen.
Jonathan followed her.
"Hey, I really am sorry, I wasn't trying to be rude earlier. I was trying to be funny and I realize that I wasn't funny at all. And the salsa really was an accident".
"It's fine."
Jennifer made herself a plate and went and sat on the couch next to Caroline.
A few minutes later, Luke came into the living room.
"My stomach hurts".
"Maybe you had too much cake. Let's go get you some tummy medicine".
A few minutes after that, Savanna came down, wiping tears off her face.
She snuggled with her daddy for a few minutes and then climbed off him and came over to Jennifer.
Jennifer picked her up and held her and scratched her back some.
"Did you have a nice nap?"
"No. I was feeling scary".
"You were feeling scary? Why were you feeling scary?"
Savanna told her all about her bad dream, and Jennifer got her calmed down.
"Are you hungry? Want me to make you something to eat?"
Savanna nodded.
Jennifer carried her to the kitchen to get a plate.
Jonathan looked at Patrick.
"Savanna really likes her".
"Yeah, they are pretty tight. She's so good to us and to the kids."
"Well, maybe I should get to know her better".