Sharpay's birthday was next week, and we had tons of stuff to finalize. I didn't realize how much work actually went into planning a party. I was starting to get a new appreciation for my parents and their extra work to ensure we had memorial birthday parties with our friends growing up. Not to mention all the other parties we had in between.

Boi's barking reminded me that we were helping Zeke this Sunday afternoon. "Boi, no. Stop barking at Cupid."

Boi growled like he was getting ready to attack, and Cupid whimpered. Cupid had always been more of a timid dog. The only time he did bark back at other dogs or anyone else was to protect me. Since Boi wasn't barking at me, Cupid didn't see any threat toward me and didn't bark back. Timid, yet loyal, was Cupid through and through.

I petted Cupid on the back, whispering to him, "good boy."

"Boi, no." Zeke warned again, shaking his head, "No barking and no growling. Be nice."

Not surprisingly, Boi listened and lay down. For most of Sharpay and Zeke's relationship, Zeke had gotten Boi to listen to him. It took a while, but eventually, Boi was as obedient to Zeke as he was to Sharpay. Now he listens to Zeke and Sharpay most of the time.

Jason tossed Boi's toy at him, and Boi took off, "So, judging from how well Aspen looks, I take it she's cleared for school tomorrow."

I nodded, "yeah, whatever was bugging her went away that night. She hasn't thrown up since and has no nausea or stomach pain. She's been completely fine since."

Aspen decided to prove my point by racing back with Boi. She was breathing like she'd just run a marathon as she huffed out, "Can we bake cookies or brownies? No, let's bake both."

Taylor shook her head with a giggle, "OK, I see what you mean. She's clearly anything but sick."

I got Aspen to sit on my lap and brushed her head from her face, "clearly. A, we need to wait to see what Zeke needs help with today. And did you thank Zeke for letting you invite Lulu to the party?"

Aspen bobbed her head, "yup, I even showed him the invitations we made."

As if on cue, Zeke handed us a menu, "the menu for the party. Now we just need to figure out how much of each stuff to make."

Kelsie's eyes widen, "these are all sweets; is that a good idea? Wouldn't it be a bit much?"

Zeke shrugged, "that's the idea. It's a sweet treat party with all of Sharpay's favorite treats. We'll have other things there, like finger sandwiches and snack mix. But that's the gist of it."

"Well, the kids will certainly enjoy it, if nothing else," Jason handed the menu back to Zeke.

"And the parents will have several bones to pick with you," Braydon joked, making us all laugh.

Braydon noticed Sharon laughing and smiled like he had just won the lotto. Their eyes locked, and for the briefest of seconds, I saw a hit of something from both of them. Sharon immediately turned away, avoiding Braydon's eyes.

She cleared her throat, and her relaxed natured turned serious. "What if we had a cake in the shape of Sharpay's face? Or like a built-your-own sweet treat station?"

Taylor stopped C.J. from tumbling over, "those are both excellent ideas. But the party is next week and making all those sweets will be a lot of work. Do we have the kind of time?"

"We can start right now," Sharon stated, picking up Skylar, who had been begging for her attention.

We all whipped our heads in her direction, "how?" We asked simultaneously.

"We start baking now. We have a rough estimate of the guest number and know all the recipes. We make a batch to see how many treats we can get from one batch and multiply it. We'll have a rough estimate and can easily adjust when the final numbers are in."

"That's not a bad idea," Taylor agreed, "it'll make the final planning much easier."

Kelsie smiled, "you've really done this before, haven't you?"

"My parents made a big deal of celebrations," Sharon replied, trying to set Skylar on the ground, "OW," Skylar had managed to grab a nice chunk of Sharon's hair.

"You alright?" Braydon asked, trying to get Skylar to let go.

Skylar adjusted herself on Sharon's hip like she planned to stay there forever, "it's fine; I needed a haircut anyways." We all laughed, and Skylar apologized with a kiss on her cheeks that made a huge smacking sound. "Awe, how can I stay mad at you?"

Braydon's eyes sparked with something I hadn't seen since Quinn left. Was it love or maybe like? I couldn't tell. What I did know was Skylar came first for Braydon always, so Sharon was scoring major points with Braydon. It didn't seem like Sharon knew how she was affecting Braydon, though. At least not this time.

I landed back in reality with a hard yank and Aspen's urging. "Come on, Troy; we're missing the cookie baking."

She started to haul me like she was hauling a huge sack. I stood up and sat her on my hip. Braydon stopped me from joining everyone else, "you OK; you seem a little spaced."

A groan escapes me as I adjust Aspen on my hips. "Yeah, I was just noticing my surroundings, is all."

We quickly divided into three groups, one for brownies, cookies, and cupcakes. Zeke joined Jason and Kelsie on the brownie team. Braydon gave C.J. and Taylor a hand with their cupcakes. That left Sharon, Aspen, Skylar, and me on the cookie team.

I wasn't so sure this was a good idea. Even with Zeke's help, I've somehow managed to mess up in the kitchen. If Zeke didn't help us, I was afraid we'd actually burn down his kitchen.

I pushed my fear aside and put on my brave face. Sharon reached for the sugar at the same time I did, and our hands brushed. Electricity jolted through my body the moment our hands brushed. Could I really let Gabby go, I thought. Could there be something more between Sharon and me? What about Braydon; does he like Sharon? What if we both liked Sharon?

An aching pain nagged at my heart, and I pulled my hand away as Sharon's phone went off, "Troy, why are you red hot?" Aspen asked, reaching for my cheeks. "Huh, you're not hot. Are you sick?"

Sharon motioned that she needed to step out to take the call.

"No, it's an after-cooties side effect," I assured her, watching Sharon leave, "you'll understand after you had cooties."

Aspen blew out an annoyed breath. "Everyone already had cooties; maybe I should get them too."

Braydon's head whipped up from the corner of the kitchen counter, "no," he cried out, "you're not ready for cooties, and mom and dad are ready for you to have cooties."

Aspen scrunched her face, "how do you know? I'm a big girl, and girls mature faster than boys."

We all looked at each other, counting on someone else to explain. None of us knew what to say.

"What going on?" Sharon asked, returning and sensing the desperation from all of us.

"I want to catch cooties now, so I can change colors and understand why Troy has his after-cootie side effect," Aspen grumbled, "but they say I'm not ready."

Sharon raised a brow, her eyes darting from one of us to the other. She shook her head with a smile when none of us moved. Slowly she picked Aspen up and sat her on the countertop. "When I was six years old, I wanted to catch cooties too. I even tried getting one of my classmates to kiss me."

Our jaws dropped in shock. Was Sharon encouraging Aspen? Why would she?

"Ah, Sharon, maybe we should talk," Jason stepped in when he found his voice.

Aspen didn't see a problem, though, "did it work? Did your classmate kiss you? Did you catch cooties?"

Sharon shook her with a slight chuckle, and Aspen's spirit fell, "nope, I got a boy to kiss me, but I didn't catch cooties. Want to know why?"

Aspen studied Sharon for a moment like she was deciding if Sharon was lying. "Why?"

"My Nana told me that cooties are something that older people catch. I wasn't old enough to catch cooties, and I'll know when I was."

Aspen sulked for a moment before saying, "I'm not old enough, am I."

Sharon shook her head. "Sorry, you need to wait just a little longer. But when you finally catch the cooties, it'll be super special, and you'll never forget it."

"You really think so?"

Sharon nodded, "I know so because you're an extra special girl. So you deserve an extra special guy to give you the cooties."

"How old were you when caught the cooties," Aspen asked, hoping to get an idea of how much longer she had to wait.

Sharon winced, picking up on Aspen's idea, "I was 13, but everyone catches cooties at different ages. My friend I told you about a few days ago was 15. Another friend was almost 16. I know some people who were 12 and others who were almost 20."

"Sounds like I have a long time to wait," Aspen grumbled.

Sharon hugged Aspen, "you'll catch cooties before you know it, and then your parents will wish time could slow down because their little girl is growing way too fast.

Aspen squeezed back, "thanks."

Sharon helped Aspen back down, "you're so welcome. So, how about those cookies?"

"Can we save some for Lulu?"

"I think she would really appreciate that," Sharon responded, helping Aspen with her apron. "Let's see; we still need sugar and flour."

Aspen brushed her hair aside, "I got them."

Zeke held out his hand, "I'll give you a hand."

"Nicely handled," Taylor praised, handing us a couple of bowls. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you have a child or two yourself."

Sharon helped Skylar wash her hands, "I don't. Troy's the closes thing I've had to a boyfriend in over two years."

Aspen scootched her way back in with the flour. "How can I help?"

We double-checked we had everything before diving into the ingredients. We looked like one messy train piling up as soon as ingredients started flying. People were elbowing each other, all the kids wanted to help, and no one could hear anyone. Braydon eventually called a time-out, and we got a system going.

"Do you want kids," I asked Sharon as I helped Aspen dump the flour into the bowl. "When the time is right, of course."

Sharon stopped Skylar before she could dunk her hand in the flour, "I haven't thought about it too much."

Braydon took the flour once we were done and jumped into our conversation, "why not; you're obviously great with them."

Sharon paused with a faraway look in her eyes. We must have triggered some memory. It was hard to tell if it was good or not with Sharon's blank stare.

Sharon shook her thoughts from her mind. Her eyes were still empty, though. Should I ask her about the memory? Did she want to talk about it?

"I don't see a point in planning stuff, so I'm not too big on future planning. I have a to-do list, but that's about it," Sharon replied, trying to hide the sadness in her voice. "Troy, do you mind preheating the oven to 350? Just turn the little handle."

Braydon's disappointment didn't go unnoticed. Sharon didn't really say if she wanted kids. If she didn't, it would be an instant deal breaker for Braydon, no matter how much he liked her. I turned the oven to 350 and froze as a thought occurred. If 350 baked the goodies in less than fifteen minutes, cranking it even high will bake it even faster. I gave the nob another twist cranking it up to 450. There, I told myself, time saved on the day of the party.

"My turn," Aspen cries, swiping the cup away from Skylar.

Aspen raised her arm like she was preparing to hit Skylar. Sharon and Braydon had the same thought and immediately pulled Skylar and Aspen apart before the fistfight could start.

What was going on with Aspen? She wasn't usually so violent, and she loved playing with Skylar. They've never had any problems sharing, but lately, Aspen was just, at times, plain mean to Skylar when they played together.

Sharon got Aspen to turn around. "Aspen, are you OK? Do you feel tired?"

"No," Aspen yelled in annoyance, making us all jump. "I just want to make cookies, and Skylar wouldn't let me help. And she's doing it wrong."

I took the cup from Aspen, and she erupted into another tantrum. Braydon got a hold of her, and she knew from the looks on our faces she was trouble. I got down to her level and spoke in a low tone that I didn't use often. "A, you can't yell at other people or threaten a fistfight because you don't get your way. We're all here to have fun. That means being nice and sharing. Now you need to cool off in the chill-out corner for seven minutes."

Aspen stomped off in anger, knowing we wouldn't let her off the hook. Sharon frowned in concern as she watched Aspen scream and yell in the corner. "Is Aspen usually like this?" Sharon asked, watching her erupt in anger.

Braydon sighed, "she's been angry before, but this is new. We've never seen her this explosive."

"Did your parents talk to a doctor about this behavioral change," Taylor asked.

I nodded, "apparently, she's testing her boundaries and trying to get attention. Which is why it comes and goes. If it were anything serious, it wouldn't just go away. The change would be more permanent. Like she would be angry all the time, instead of it just coming out of left field."

Sharon was skeptical, "she seven, not two. I've never seen seven-year-old test boundaries like Aspen does. Maybe there's some rule-breaking every now and again."

"You've been around other kids Aspen's age?" I wondered, intrigued by her comment.

"Not often," Sharon admitted as she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ears. Her focus was still on Aspen. "But, often enough to know, and we've all been her age, has any of us ever experienced a 180 mood change like Aspen?"

Thump

We all jumped as she started slamming the cabinet doors. "This is stupid; you're all stupid. I hate you. Skylar doesn't share, and I'm being punished."

C.J. suddenly grabs the cup in my hand and starts chanting. "Tubi. Tubi."

"Oh no," I groan. This was not good. "Sorry, Tay."

Taylor shook her head, "no worries. If he doesn't hear it now, at some point in his life, he will."

"Maybe we should get the kids out before they develop an even more colorful vocabulary," Kelsie suggested, "or get nightmares."

We turned to see Aspen in a full-blown tantrum. She went from sweet to full-blown anger. It wasn't like anything we'd ever seen. It was the worse tantrum we've ever seen her throw. Sharon had made her point. This was a complete 180 for Aspen.

We'll talk to our parents again and see what they say. Maybe if it's not medical, it's emotional or physiological." Braydon assured her. "In the meantime, how do we cool her off? She's never been like this."

Sharon cleared her throat and rolled her neck like she was preparing to do something. She grabbed a paper bag off the countertop and headed for the corner. "I got this."

We all held our breath waiting to see what she would do. Zeke stopped her, "you sure you got this? Maybe we should just let her have her tantrum and talk to her when she's calmer."

"I got this," Sharon repeated before kneeling to Aspen's level. She gently placed a hand on Aspen's shoulder to calm her. Her voice was confident and calm as she spoke, "Aspen, I know you're angry, and that's OK. But all this kicking and shouting is not going to help. None of us will be able to understand you unless you calm down."

We all winced and rang out our ears when Aspen shouted at the top of her lungs. The kids freaked out and started crying. My hopes were dashed when Aspen shrugged Sharon off and started raging again. "None of you understand because you're all stupid and only care about Skylar."

Sharon reached out again and spoke in a calming voice when she got Aspen's attention, "We care about you too; that's why we don't want to see you hurt yourself because of your tantrum. When I was your age, I would get angry a lot. But, my dad taught me a little trick; want to learn it?"

Aspen narrowed her eyes, studying Sharon. She was deciding if she could trust Sharon. Aspen wasn't yelling, but her attitude was apparent when she finally spoke, "You know magic, next you're going to say that you know how to make happy juice."

Sharon chuckled the comment off and showed Aspen the paper bag in her hand. "No happy juice. But my dad taught me how to blow out my angry feelings and change them into good ones using a paper bag. Sit down, and I will show you."

Aspen reluctantly sat, so Sharon could show her what to do, and surprisingly, Aspen actually listened. She didn't look any calmer, but at least she was listening, and that was an impressive start. Aspen was hesitant to try it when Sharon offered her the paper bag but didn't put up much of a fight.

Sharon's idea was working. Aspen was going through the steps Sharon showed her, and her body relaxed. Her temper was gone, and for a brief moment, I was sure I saw her lips curve up a bit in a smile. Our jaws dropped in amazement as she actually started calming down.

POP

Aspen popped the air-filled paper bag and giggled. She was grinning from ear to ear again—a complete 180 from where she was just minutes earlier. I was sure that Sharon had some sort of magical wand with children.

"So, you ready to talk about what made you so angry?" Sharon prompted when Aspen was happy enough to talk.

Aspen's eyes darted around when she puckered her lips like she was making a duck face. Her pucker turned to a frown when she dropped her head. "I don't know. Skylar just really irritated me, and I got furious at her. After that, everything made me angry."

Sharon nodded while she took in what Aspen said. "I get it; sometimes, when I get angry, everything makes me angry too. What do you think would help with your anger?"

Aspen's gaze turned to us, "do I still have to bake?"

"Not if you don't want to," Sharon assured her, "You can do something else. It's up to you."

Aspen's gaze darted to the living room. "I'm feeling a little tired. Can I watch my favorite show in the living room? That way, I won't get angry again and ruin everyone's fun."

Sharon stood up and picked Aspen up, "you didn't ruin our fun, but resting is a good idea if you're feeling tired."

Sharon took Aspen into the living room, returning once she was sure that Aspen was settled.

Peace had been fully restored as if nothing had ever happened.

"You have got to show me that sometimes," Taylor praised as she scooped the batter into the cupcake tins. "If I could control the situation during C.J.'s tantrums as well as you just did, more than half my problems would be solved."

"I'll take that as a compliment," Sharon stated with a smile.

"You should," Kelsie spoke up, "Oh, Zeke, I almost forgot, were you able to talk to your friend about planning Jason and my wedding?"

Zeke looked up from the batter he was scooping, "sorry, I haven't got a chance to talk to my friend. I promise I will, though. OK, brownies are ready for the oven."

Sharon took the tray, "I got them; Braydon can you set the clock for fifteen minutes."

"Will do," Braydon agreed, grabbing the kitchen timer.

I gave Jason a hand cleaning up, completely forgetting about the oven. Sharon gave us a hand once the brownies were in the oven. I peeked toward the living room every now and again to make sure that Aspen was OK as we talked and cleaned.

Zeke stopped us when a burnt smell caught his attention. "Guys, do you smell something burning?"

Suddenly Skylar screamed at the top of her lungs. Braydon picked her up and noticed what scared her, "guys, oven fire!"

Zeke raced for the fire extinguisher with Sharon right on his heels. Braydon, Jason, and I were attempting to put the flames out when Zeke and Sharon returned with fire extinguishers at hand. Taylor and Kelsie brought the kids into the living room, away from any immediate danger.

Zeke tossed the remains of the brownie onto the counter with a stumped look. "I don't get it. How could the oven have caught on fire? We followed the recipe exactly."

I dropped my head, remembering the change I had made. "Not exactly," I whispered, feeling like the biggest idiot on earth. Everyone turned, giving me their attention. I wanted to race for the nearest exit and bury myself in a hole. "I thought cranking up the oven would bake the stuff faster, so instead of 350; I cranked it up to 450."

Zeke sighed, "that was a good thought, Troy, but cranking up the oven doesn't equal faster baking time."

"So I'm starting to figure." I whispered, "I'm really sorry."

Braydon wrapped his arm around my shoulder, "hey, take it easy. Mistakes happen to everyone."

"If I were preheating the oven, I'd probably have the same thought." Jason chimed in, trying to cheer me up. "So, no need to beat yourself."

Zeke grabbed the ingredient we were putting away and some clean bowls. "How about giving me a hand with the second batch?"

I studied Zeke to see if he was serious. He really wasn't angry, but if I messed anything else up, I might not be so lucky. "I think I should join Aspen before I actually burn down your kitchen."

Everyone rushed to block the exits like they were holding a convention. Which, in some way, they probably were.

"You're only going to get better if you try again," Braydon spoke, folding his hands across his chest.

"Plus, the oven is set this time, so no reason for stuff to burn as long as we follow the recipe," Sharon added, just as determined to make me stay.

I sighed, knowing I was not getting out of this. Zeke gave me a hand mixing the second batch, and we had all three treats baked within thirty minutes. I was bringing a plate to Aspen when I noticed she was out on the couch. She really wasn't kidding about the tired thing.

I decided to let her sleep. "Taylor. Kelsie, was Aspen asleep when you took the kids into the living room?"

Kelsie nodded, "she was; we tried waking her but couldn't. The best we got was her grumbling and waving us off. She said she was tired earlier; we figured she was tired."

"Is she still asleep?" Taylor asked.

I nodded, "yeah," My gaze went back to the living room.

A feeling of uncertainty ran down my spine. Was this all that simple, I thought, or did the pediatricians miss something?