Page 77 of Remember Me

I silently laugh. She just called Kayla a bitch! Putting everything on a tray, she heads to the great room for the final leg of Maddie’s birthday celebration. Warm apple pie with ice cream and the opening of presents.

I poke my head inside the oven.Mmm. The pie looks perfect. The crust high and golden, glistening with a fairy-dust layer of sugar. With a pair of potholders, I slide it out and carefully set it on the counter next to the box of candles.

I turn off the oven and admire our creation. It was so fun making the pie with Maddie. We followed a recipe we found online. The perfect mother-daughter activity.

This whole day has been perfect—well, almost. Kayla was the only blemish, but thankfully fate took care of her. I had an amazing time with both my daughter and husband. Dreamily, I relive our picnic. Finn opened his heart to me. And when he held me in his arms, dancing barefoot on the grass, I don’t think I’d ever felt closer to him in my entire life. I sense tension between him and Kayla, but I’ve got to keep my optimism guardedbecause there’s a lot at stake. My past. His future. I haven’t contemplated my next move and the cunning witch can easily outsmart me. I’m just going to listen to Sister Marie. Be myself. And hope that Finn will fall in love with me again.

With a sigh of longing, I open the box of multicolor candles and slip out a pink one. Holding it between my fingers, I suddenly realize that this is the first birthday I’m sharing with my little girl. While a wave of sadness sweeps over me thinking about all the others I’ve missed, I brighten at the thought of sharing this one with her and Finn. For me it’s a milestone. And in my heart of hearts, I hope there will be many more.

Heading to the great room, the pie lit up with six flickering candles (one for good luck), I begin to sing “Happy Birthday.” Rosita and Finn join in, my husband harmonizing with his sexy voice that rivals Springsteen’s. Maddie’s face lights up with a smile as bright as the sun.

“Happy Birthday, sweetie.” I set the pie on the coffee table. “Now, you’ve got to make a wish and blow out the candles.”

Her sparkling eyes dart from me to Finn and then back to me, taking on a glint of mischief. “Okie dokie, I’ve got one.” Moving closer to the pie, she inhales a deep breath and then exhales, managing to blow out all the candles in a single sweep.

Cheers and claps all around.

While I slice a piece of pie for each of us with Rosita doling out scoops of the ice cream, Maddie’s eyes flit to the chair where her presents are stacked.

“Can I open my presents now, Daddy?”

Finn smiles. “Be my guest, sunshine.”

Jumping up from the couch, she waltzes over to the chair and selects a small box wrapped in colorful striped paper.

“Es el mío, mi chiquita!”Rosita smiles brightly. The love she has for my little girl warms my heart.

Excitedly, Maddie opens the present. It’s a charming music box. Maddie winds it up—the “Mexican Hat Dance” plays as multi-ethnic children in sombreros circle around.

“Me gusta mucho, Rosita!”She runs over to hug the beaming woman. “Gracias!”

Grabbing Kangy, she prances back to the chair and goes for one of mine. My stomach flutters. I hope she likes it. My eyes fix on her as she opens the card attached to the small pink gift bag. On the front is a cute illustration of a kangaroo. She reads it aloud.

“HoppyBirthday!” She flips it open and the kangaroo now with a joey in her pouch pops up. Giggling, Maddie continues reading. “My Sweetest Girl~ May all your dreams hop right into your lap! Happy Birthday! Love and kisses~Scarlet.”

How much I wanted to sign it “Mommy.” Maybe, next birthday I will. My gaze stays glued on her as she removes the tissue paper and reaches into the bag. Gasping, she stares at the tiny kangaroo in her hand.

“Oh my gosh! It’s Kangy’s baby, Joey. She’s back!” Breaking into a megawatt smile, she cuddles the adorable beany toy and then tucks it into Kangy’s pouch. It fits perfectly.

I smile. “See, I told you Kangy would find her baby!”

Clutching her treasured stuffed animal with its newfound baby, Maddie runs over to me and gives me a big hug. “Oh, Scarlet!! Kangy is so happy! Me too! Thank you!”

My daughter’s glee makes my heart swell with joy. “I have another present for you.”

Her eyes bounce back to the chair. She gazes at the large box that’s wrapped with a whimsical Paris-themed paper I found online. “I thought that was from my daddy.”

“No,” says Finn. “I have something else for you.” He juts his strong chin. “Go open it, baby.”

Wasting no time, Maddie hurries back to the chair. She opens the card, which depicts her favorite storybook character Madeline holding a suitcase, and reads what’s on the inside. With a perfect French accent that makes my heart swell with love and pride.

“Ma plus chère Madeline~

J’espère que tu vas porter ma surprise à Paris l’année prochaine avec ton papa et moi.

Mille bisous~ Scarlet”

“What does it say?” asks Finn, impressed by her ability to read and speak beautiful French.