Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 54968 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54968 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
“Let’s do it!”
“Yes. We can have it upstairs in the common area. We’ll wear pretty dresses and do our hair. The guys can order party food for us. Maybe we’ll even dance,” Celeste suggested.
“Is there a particular reason for a party? Is it your birthday or Sadie’s?”
“There doesn’t have to be a reason, silly. We can have a party because it’s Friday or Saturday—even a Monday!” Celeste assured her.
“I haven’t been to a party in years.”
“Then I think it’s time.”
Celeste picked up her phone and sent a text. A split second later, the phone buzzed in her hand. “Sadie’s in.”
“Now, we just need to convince the guys,” Zara said.
“Convince us of what?” Kestrel’s deep voice from the doorway made the two women whirl around.
“You scared me.” With a nervous laugh, Zara put her hand on her thudding heart.
“Sorry. I had a short break and wanted to check on you. Are you okay?” he asked, moving forward to hug her.
“I’m okay,” she whispered into the crook of his neck.
“Good.” Kestrel stepped away and said, “Now. Tell me what’s going on, Little girl.”
“We want to have a party,” Zara said. When his face looked skeptical, his eyebrows shooting upward, she added quickly, “Upstairs on the fifth floor, where it’s safe. No one would know.”
“A party, hmmm?”
“Please, Daddy. It will be fun,” Zara said, trying to convince him.
“Let me talk to the team,” he said, grimacing.
“And if they say yes?”
“Then, we’ll have a small gathering with music and food,” Kestrel relented.
“A party!” she said, knowing he would twist arms if he had to in order to please her.
Celeste rushed forward to hug Zara. The two Littles jumped up and down in a circle, celebrating. Sadie ran through the doorway at breakneck speed and joined the fun. Chants of party, party, party filled the air.
“What is going on here?” Magnus asked with a concerned look. “Sadie just ran through here as if her life depended on it.”
“Know of any reason they can’t have a party on the top floor?” Kestrel battled keeping the corners of his mouth from curling up at his usually unflappable teammate’s expression.
“What are we celebrating?” Magnus asked.
“Life?” Kestrel responded.
“I’m going back to my computers. Everything makes more sense there.” Magnus shook his head, pulled his cap lower on his forehead, and turned to stalk out of the room.
“All right, Little girls. Magnus is on board,” he said, chuckling. “Who’s going to talk to Caesar, Phoenix, Hawking, and Rocco?”
“I’ve got Daddy and Phoenix!” Celeste said excitedly, claiming two.
“I’ve got Daddy and Caesar!” Sadie volunteered. “Let’s go now, Celeste.”
“I’ll be back in a few minutes, Zara,” Celeste promised. “Watch the chemical reaction that’s brewing and note the changes you see.”
“On it.” Zara returned to the experimental table of the science area.
Kestrel followed and heard a big sigh ease from his Little’s lips. “Hey, what’s the matter? Do you not want to have a party? I can be the bad guy and squelch the idea.”
“Oh, no! I want to have fun with my friends. I haven’t been to a party with friends since I was small. There was a problem with one of my friend’s dads, and my parents wouldn’t allow me to go to anyone’s house again.”
Controlling his pissed-off expression with a steel will, Kestrel said, “Another great reason to have a party. Do you need a new dress?”
“A new dress?” Zara blinked at him as she thought. “Oh, I can wear the pretty dress I wore before.”
“A new dress, it is. What color?”
“Really? I mean, I’d love to wear the other dress. You don’t have to get me anything,” she said quickly.
“I know I don’t have to. I want to. Do you want me to choose?”
“Yes, please.” Zara nodded happily.
“I’ll do that this afternoon. I’m off to give a tour, Little girl. Be good.”
When Kestrel turned to leave, she asked, “Are you going to order anything else?”
“What do you need, Little Swan? I have a few things on my list to get for you.”
“Would it be possible to get a few things for our apartment?”
“Sure. Another chair?”
“No. I think we need something colorful. Maybe some pillows? Something for the walls? Everything is so colorful and happy back in Mexico. In my parents’ house, the walls are yellow, and the furniture is in all sorts of bright hues.”
“Things are pretty dull in our space. I bet that seems sad to you. We’ll choose some things together tonight. You think about a new color for the walls,” he directed before stepping forward to press a kiss to her lips. “Never hesitate to ask for anything, Little girl. You can always talk to me.”
“Thanks, Daddy.”
“I’ll see you this evening for dinner. Then we’ll go do some shopping online.”
He loved the sweet smile that spread over her lips. With one last peck, he hurried away to his next flight. Damn, he loved her.