The Dragon's Fate - Roxie Ray Page 0,39
sing, Bri.”
Leaving the baby book on the couch, I joined them in the kitchen and started singing “Happy Birthday.” My heart was full of love and happiness as my girl blew out her candle. She was really happy here in Bluewater. I just prayed Damon would stay away and let his daughter be happy.
When we finished singing and Mom served up the pancakes, the doorbell rang. I looked at my parents, and they had alarmed expressions on their faces. Bianca did as well. “Are you expecting anyone?” I asked.
My heart froze in fear that it might’ve been Damon.
Dad’s chair scraped the floor as he hurriedly got up to answer the door. I smiled at Hayden and tried to pretend I wasn’t freaked out, but my heart was about to beat out of my chest, and I wanted to scream in frustration and fear.
Then, I heard Jace’s voice. Relief washed over me so suddenly, I slumped forward as I passed the syrup to Bianca. Jace followed my father into the kitchen, but if I hadn’t heard his voice, I wouldn’t have known it was him because he carried a present as big as he was.
He set the giant stuffed panda in the doorway and grinned from ear to ear. “Happy birthday, Hayden!”
The birthday girl squealed in delight and launched herself at the panda, which was dressed up in a birthday suit with balloons all over it. It was so big she didn’t even hit the floor when she collapsed on it, giggling in delight.
“Where exactly do you propose I keep that?” I asked Jace with one eyebrow arched.
He shrugged. “I didn’t think about that part.”
I glanced at my mother who rolled her eyes good-naturedly. “He didn’t think about it.”
If he had to live with a child and all their toys, he’d start thinking about it. But that wasn’t a very nice thing to say to someone who had already bought her a present this week. “Between your presents and my parents spoiling her with birthday pancakes, my girl is going to turn into a diva.”
Smiling, I walked closer and put my hand on his arm. Electricity crackled between us. “Thank you,” I whispered.
He winked at me before looking down at Hayden. “Here, this is Popo. He’s a stuffed version of a real panda. The money that was spent on Popo goes to help the real live Popo have medical care and things she needs to have a full, happy life.”
I wanted to hug him tight for such a thoughtful gift.
He handed Hayden a certificate. “This tells you about Popo, who is your panda now. You can go to the website and see the live Popo on a webcam. I watched her for a long time last night. She’s really funny and they say she’s going to have a cub soon.”
Hayden jumped up and tried to drag Popo toward the stairs. “I’m going to get my tablet so I can watch!”
“Hang on,” I called. “Popo will go home with us tonight, and you’ve got breakfast to finish.”
She turned back and instead dragged Popo toward the table. “Right. Popo can eat with us.”
Jace grabbed the enormous bear and helped Hayden settle it in a kitchen chair. “Sounds like a plan.”
I had visions of trying to get syrup off of a ginormous stuffed bear. “Let’s settle Popo in the living room to watch TV,” I suggested, then finished in a whisper, “away from the syrup.”
Jace winked and took her away while my mother distracted Hayden with chocolate milk. We sat at the table and Mom produced enough pancakes to feed Jace as well.
“So, does this mean I’m the real Popo’s mommy?” she asked.
Jace nodded. “It does. And one day, if it’s okay with your mom, we can go visit the real Popo.”
Instead of getting more excited or thanking Jace again, Hayden burst into tears. We all jumped and tried to comfort her. "Honey, why are you crying?" I asked as I rubbed her back and she sobbed into my shirt.
“I just love pandas so much,” she yelled.
With a snort, I hugged her tighter. “I know you do, baby.” That was an understatement. She’d always loved them.
After breakfast, Hayden ran off to play with Popo while we sipped coffee.
“So, what are you doing here and how did you get the Popo thing set up in time?” I asked. I couldn’t remember if I’d even mentioned Hayden’s birthday to him.
Bianca stood from the table and turned to walk toward the back door, but Jace ratted her