Chapter 21: Birthday Fun

2 Weeks Later…

Everyone watched as Kayla and her friends ran around outside playing in the backyard in and out of the tree house. The parents and the rest of Kayla's family mingled while they took kept an eye from the porch and house. A table in the living room had been covered with presents of different shapes and sizes but hadn't been touched wanting to play more than open them. Well all but one of Josef's which they were currently thrilled to be playing with. He'd had a zip line installed from the tree house to a soft landing pad across the yard.

Grace was even there. Candice had gotten her released on a sizable bale and into Josef and Jean's custody the same day Carl had to take her in. She has sense been staying in the guest house while everyone worked on clearing her before the trial date. Beth was still working on tracking the money but it was being re-routed multiple times which took time. Mick had looked at the video surveillance from the hotel from before the cameras went bad but didn't see the guys they scented taking Grace.

Kayla had done a beautiful job at her recital. She stumbled slightly but she kept going and made it through, her whole family there wishing her well and cheering. They were busy yes, but they had a family and taking a step back from things helped to focus your mind. Besides they'd made their little girl a promise. This was a day for Kayla.

Candice came down the stairs with David in tow and motioned for Beth to come upstairs with her. They had moved Kayla to the guest bedroom for the last few days promising her new and little bit more grown up bedroom. She had been so excited and Candice had finished it quickly and with everything set she wanted Beth to take a final look before they showed Kayla.

Beth walked up the stairs and towards the room that had a huge yellow bow on it with a marker board that had her name artfully written and a happy birthday wish from Candice and David. Beth smiled as Candice opened the door and let her see it.

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The walls were a very light hint of green and the windows had custom blinds that let in the natural light that made the room so bright. The twin bed was placed against the wall with a plush headboard and above it a canopy draped forward from the wall held back at headboard height. A small playful chandelier hung just over the bed which Beth knew would be perfect for her night time reading. The colors were a mix of soft green, red, orange, white and of course some yellow. On both sides of the bed were floating shelves one to hold her clock and a family photo the other for whatever she wanted to set there. The foot of the bed had a half circle table and two colorful ottomans underneath ready for a tea party. Along the far wall a desk sat against the window so she could do her homework or other crafts there but what Beth adored most was the built in she'd created; a little reading bench with storage on top and a draw under. The other side of the room still housed matching storage units for books and toys and the walls had pictures all over them and a big beanbag. Candice had even saw fit to take Kayla's little 'photo wall' she'd created and incorporated that into an empty wall with room to spare for more.

"Candice it's amazing," Beth breathed as she took it all in.

Candice beamed with pride. "And the table pulls out to a full circle for the tea party of course. Also there is a trundle under the bed for sleepovers and that big comfy beanbag unzips into a bed."

"She'll love it," Beth assured.

Candice took a few photos of the finished product before closing the door behind them. They made their way down just as Kayla and her friends had come in to ask about birthday cake. Mick and Beth sat next to Kayla as Josef did the honor of lighting the candles, all seven of them and presenting the cake in front of the birthday girl while Candice took pictures and everyone sang.

After cake they opened presents. Kayla received lots of different arts & crafts which she was thrilled about. A Nintendo DS with some regular games as well as some educational games, a fancy tea set for tea parties and lots of books to name a few. Kayla and Alice both wore their necklaces proudly and Kayla never wanted to take it off, the last thing she took off before bed and the first thing she put back on.

"Kayla we have one more surprise for you," Beth smiled and nodded to Candice. "Why don't you go see Aunt Candice?"

Candice had trailed a yellow ribbon down the stairs from the door to her room and was holding it behind her back. When Kayla went over to her aunt she handed her the end of ribbon, "Why don't we see where this leads?"

"Is it my new room?" She asked excitedly.

"Why don't you go see?"

Kayla held onto the ribbon and took Alices' hand and they made their way up the stairs following the ribbon. Candice, Mick and Beth were right behind them. Beth had given Jean her camera and asked her to wait inside for when she opened the door and snap a few pictures for her. Kayla opened the room with Alice in tow and squealed so loud the vampires in the house winced as she and Alice ran around the room looking at everything, touching everything there was and bouncing the whole time not even noticing Jean taking their pictures.

Beth made her way to Jean and laughed as she looked at the pictures. Kayla ran over to Candice and gave her a huge hug, "Thank you so much Aunt Candice. You're the bestest room maker."

Candice laughed, "I'm glad you like it. How about I take the grown-ups downstairs and send the rest of your friends up?"

Kayla and Alice headed down the stairs with them pulling their friends up the stairs all bringing up presents with them so they could play in the new room. Everyone knew tomorrow they'd be hard at work on the case again but it was nice to have a small break from it and just enjoy the simple pleasures.

To Be Continued…

Evilous