Peggy was able to celebrate Maureen's third birthday, Vivi's second, and Maggie's first. It was around Vivi's birthday that Denny got an apartment. He also got a job working at a jewelry store in the Brent Building. He too was able to celebrate his nieces' birthdays with them. Peggy's ninth birthday came in June. Della was eight months along, but she did her best to make sure Peggy's first birthday party was amazing.
"Della, you need to slow down," Perry said.
"Perry, this is Peggy's first birthday party. Besides, I feel fine. If I have to sit then I will."
"You're so stubborn."
"And you're not?"
Perry smiled and left the room. Peggy walked in and saw her mother icing her cake, "can I see?"
Della turned around and smiled, "I guess it wouldn't hurt to show you." She waved the little girl over and lifted her up, "what do you think?"
"It looks good and it's so pretty. I wonder how it tastes?"
"Keep wondering," Della smiled. She put her daughter down and winced in pain as she grabbed her back.
"Mommy, what's wrong?"
"I just overdid it. Could you get daddy, please?"
The little girl rushed out of the kitchen. Perry walked in moments later, "hey, what happened? Peggy said she broke you."
Della smiled, "no," she said, "I picked her up to look at her cake and when I set her down, I couldn't stand upright again."
"Here," Perry helped his wife straighten back up, but could see she was in pain. "I know you want to finish. Why don't you sit at the table?"
"Okay," Della said. Perry helped her to a chair at the table before bringing the cake and icing over to her. "Where's Peggy?"
Perry looked around, "I thought she was right behind me."
"Perry, please go find her."
"I will when you're done."
"No, please do it now."
"Alright, darling, I'll go find her." Perry found his daughter sitting on her bed, holding her Maggie doll, and silently crying. "Hey, what's wrong?" he asked as he sat next to her and wrapped an arm around her.
"I hurt mommy."
"No, you didn't. I just talked to mommy. She said it was her fault."
"I don't think I deserve a party. I'll just stay up here."
Perry stood and lifted his daughter, "come with me." He carried her to the kitchen where Della had just finished the cake, "darling, our birthday girl doesn't think she deserves a party now." Perry sat Peggy down on the floor.
"Why?" Della asked.
"I hurt you."
"No, sweetheart, you didn't. I shouldn't have picked you up. I could have had you stand on a chair or something. It's absolutely not your fault."
Peggy hugged her mother, "I love you, mommy."
"I love you too."
Peggy had a wonderful birthday party. She was so grateful to and for her family. Her family, that would be expanding quite soon.
