Total pages in book: 122
Estimated words: 115288 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 576(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115288 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 576(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
And a month after that, Harley announced I was getting a baby brother or sister. Dad is what Harley calls a nervous mother bird when it comes to her and the baby, but she doesn’t mind. He goes to all the doctor appointments and is constantly making sure she’s okay. But he’s happy and excited, and so am I, and so is Harley.
We went shopping as a family and picked out all the decorations for the nursery as soon as we knew I was getting a baby sister.
And today is another big day for us.
Harley steps forward and takes my chin between her thumb and finger, turning my head from one side and then the other, inspecting me with a stern look on her face. “Yes. You definitely look like a twelve-year-old today.”
I grin. “I look the same as I did yesterday.”
“Hmm. One day older. But I must tell you, turning twelve does not mean that we’re going to stop watching Disney movies or making glitter crafts.”
I blow out a dramatic breath. “Phew. I was really worried about that.”
Dad rolls his eyes and laughs. “You’re only saying that because you’re in love with glitter crafts.”
“This is absolutely true,” Harley agrees with a nod, and then her expression turns serious and her voice soft. “You ready for this?”
I nod and swallow past the nervous lump in my throat.
“Good. Me too.” She looks up at Dad.
“Me three.” He winks, and then we’re out the door and in the car.
My palms are sweaty by the time we get to the big official-looking building. And when we step into the elevator, I take both of their hands and squeeze. I don’t know why I’m so nervous. But I keep hold of them both because I don’t want them to disappear.
When we reach the fourteenth floor, the elevator opens and we walk down another hall, Dad holding the doors open for me and Harley. I’m surprised all over again when Aunt Avery and Aunt London are sitting in the waiting room, along with Uncle Declan and Uncle Jax. Ella and William are on a blanket on the floor, playing together.
My aunts push out of their chairs. London is pregnant again too. So my little sister and her baby will be close to the same age. It means I’ll have lot of babysitting practice.
“I didn’t know you guys were going to be here too.” I step into their open arms.
“Well, it’s kind of a big day.” Aunt London gives me a squeeze before she releases me.
“We’re meeting up with all the grandparents for lunch after this too. It’s going to be an all-day kind of celebration.” Harley winks and Dad squeezes my shoulder.
I accept more hugs from my uncles, and then we’re being led into a big office with a conference table. It’s all a bit overwhelming. An older man named Mr. Rolph with a bald spot on the top of his head and big bushy eyebrows that remind me of caterpillars joins us. He and Uncle Jax must be friends, because they do that thing that guys do where they shake hands and pat each other on the back, like a sort-of-hug. I wipe my hand on my dress before I shake his hand too, because my palms are damp.
“I hear it’s your birthday, Peyton. It’s a big day today, isn’t it?”
“It is. We’re going for lunch at my favorite restaurant after this, and then tomorrow we’re going to Disney World for a vacation, and I haven’t been there before but you’re never too old for Disney and princesses,” I tell him.
“You’re a lucky girl, aren’t you? That sounds like it’s going to be an amazing birthday week for you!”
I nod in agreement. “I didn’t even ask for the trip to Disney World, but Harley loves Disney, and I love Disney, and my grandparents are coming too, and my aunt and uncle and my cousins.” I motion to them, realizing how lucky I am that I get to spend a whole week with all of my favorite people. “We’re going to swim and ride all the rides, and I think it’s going to be the best trip ever. And I get to miss school for a week, which is pretty cool too.”
He laughs. “It does sound pretty cool. We should get these papers signed so you can start celebrating, don’t you think?”
“That would be great. This is all I wanted for my birthday, so everything else is pretty much a bonus.”
Dad chuckles and pulls out a chair for me, and Harley squeezes my hand.
We all sit down, and Mr. Rolph pulls out the papers and explains everything. Uncle Jax and Uncle Declan take William and Ella out when they start to get fussy, which only takes about five minutes. Explaining everything takes longer than I thought it would, but eventually he slides the papers across the table and my dad signs them first, then Harley.