"Quick! Here she comes!"

Claire pushed Owen behind the kitchen table with her horn, then quickly ducked down beside him. They peeked past a box of Froot Loops at an empty staircase, holding their breaths in anticipation. There was a light creaking noise, and a beige foot appeared at the top step. With a big yawn, a teenage stegoceratops-human stepped down into the kitchen. She looked up in confusion with tired eyes as her long horns got caught in a banner of some kind. Wasting no time, her parents stood up and opened their arms.

"SURPRISE!"

She stumbled backwards in shock, eyes wide.

"Mom? Dad? What's going on?"

"Happy birthday, Lily!" Claire cheered.

Lily stared at her with confusion.

"Uh . . . Mom? My birthday isn't for a few days . . ."

"I know," she beamed, "But it wouldn't be a surprise if we threw you a party on your actual birthday, would it? Think of this as a pre-party. We want your sweet sixteen to be absolutely perfect, so this is the practice round to ensure that your father doesn't lose the party hats or burn the house down or forget your presents or burn the house down . . ."

Owen crossed his arms.

"Your mother is referring to the sparkler I dropped in the barn. I think we're safe in here, since the ground isn't covered in dry hay."

Lily smiled.

"What were you doing with a sparkler in the barn, Daddy?"

He grinned coyly.

"I'm glad you asked. See, for your pre-birthday, I decided to get you an extra-special present. Well, it was going to be for your actual birthday, but it got here early, straight from Isla Nublar, and I didn't think I could keep it hidden for more than one day."

Lily's jaw dropped.

"Oh, Daddy . . . You went to Isla Nublar for me?"

He shook his head.

"Relax. It's from the Nublar of this world. For the record, though, I had to have it altered on the other Nublar, which wasn't a breeze-"

Claire shoved her foot in his face.

"What your father is trying to say is that you deserve something special for your sixteenth birthday, and it was really no trouble to go there on your behalf."

Lily gave her a sad smile.

"Thanks, Mama. I know how much you hate Isla Nublar."

Claire shrugged.

"Hate is a strong word. I don't think I can bring myself to hate anyone or anything."

Lily nodded.

"I know, Mama, I know."

She stood up on her hind legs and gave her mother a hug. Claire returned it, squeezing her firmly before nodding to Owen.

"Alright, Baby Girl. It's time for you to see your present."

***TSJWFEW***

As soon as Lily finished a light breakfast, Owen brought her to the barn. It was still early in the morning, so the grass was covered in sweet dew. Lily grabbed a few mouthfuls as they marched along, relishing the fresh taste of it.

"Are you excited?" Owen asked.

Lily swallowed a mouthful of grass before answering.

"Depends on what it is. Should I be excited?"

He smiled over his shoulder.

"Oh, yes. I think this is something well worth getting excited over."

He unlatched the barn door. Lily tried to peek inside, but he blocked her view.

"Close your eyes."

Lily gave him a sassy look, but did as she was told. He led her into the barn by her hand and turned on two lanterns.

"Alright . . . open your eyes."

When Lily saw her present, her jaw dropped. There, propped up against a wooden crate, was a shiny, dinosaur-sized motorcycle. She turned to her dad with disbelief, and he gave a proud smile.

"This used to be mine, back in the day. I saved up a lot of money to buy it, and for a long time, I treated it like a baby. When I met your mother, I lost track of it, because I realized what's actually important in life. When I saw you fixing up the old tractor last summer, I knew I had to find it and pass it down to you. Do you like it?"

Lily smiled at him with tears in her eyes.

"It's perfect, Daddy! Thank you!"

She gave him a tight hug, nearly suffocating him in the process. When she put him down, he gasped for air and laughed at the same time.

"I'm glad you're happy. I wish I could have shown it off with the sparklers, but you know . . . fire hazard . . ."

Lily jumped up and down excitedly.

"Oh, Daddy, I'm so happy I think I'll explode!"

Owen patted her shoulder.

"Don't go exploding, Peanut. I promised your mother I'd keep you safe."

Lily nodded.

"Right, right . . . Do I need safety training?"

"Rule one: don't fall. Rule two: seriously, don't fall or your mother will kill me."

Lily laughed.

"I won't, Daddy, I promise. When can I ride it?"

Owen smiled.

"Actually . . ."

***TSJWFEW***

Lily gave an ecstatic cheer as she soared across the plains. She could feel the sun on her back and the wind in her face, and she somehow knew that everything was right in the world. The clouds were so large that they seemed to be painted with thick brush strokes from a celestial artist. It was a sight to behold.

A large, black crow was headed in the same direction as Lily, so she decided to race it. Together, they shot across the golden landscape. There came a time when Lily wasn't sure which one of them was truly flying.

As she came to the edge of a large cliff, Lily slowed down. She stood at the edge of a vast canyon and watched the sun rising over the hoodoos. The light glimmered in her eyes, and a feeling of overwhelming happiness glowed in her chest. Today had been a perfect day so far, and if the rest played out similarly, it just might be the best pre-birthday ever.

***TSJWFEW***

"Five. You have to go to jail, Daddy."

Owen placed his ship token in the jail square resentfully.

"Hey, Lily, wanna bail me out?" he joked.

She nudged him playfully.

"Don't blame me for this. You're the one who refused to pay rent."

Claire rolled the dice and slid her shoe token over to Lily's dog.

"Shoot. Do I have to pay you, Lily?"

"Nope. You raised me, so I think it's fair to let it slide."

Owen pouted.

"And what about me?"

"What about you?" Lily smirked.

"Clai-aire!"

She bopped him over the head with her horn.

"Stop whining, Owen. Let Lily play how she wants."

"Oh, like you'd be saying that if you were in jail."

"I-"

The three of them froze when they heard the doorbell ring. After a moment of stunned silence, Owen pointed down the hall.

"Panic room. Now."

They all stood up and broke off in different directions. While Claire and Lily made their way to a hidden door, Owen brushed himself off and headed for the front entranceway. When he was sure that the rest of his family was safely hidden away, he reached for the handle. He was surprised to see that his guests were not salespeople, as was usually the case. They were five women of various ages, and they stared at him in a way that indicated they were not lost travelers, but rather, people who had made a conscious effort to seek him out. He couldn't conceal his confusion as he greeted the girl standing in front of the rest, who seemed to be the leader of the group.

"Hello? . . ."

"Owen."

He blinked.

"You know my name."

"Of course I do. Don't you remember me?" she asked.

Owen frowned in puzzlement.

"I . . . I'm sorry. Have we met?"

The girl nodded.

"Yes, Owen. It's me."

He looked around awkwardly.

"I don't think-"

"I'm Blue."