Chapter 20

Danielle

The spacious parlor echoed with laughter. It was as if the very walls were tickled by the mischief brewing within. This party had been a clandestine mission of epic proportions for us. And we'd pulled it off. Dawson was blissfully unaware of the vortex of chaos about to engulf him. In the time since we banished Agnes, we"d built a gateway with Lucas and Noah's help on the back portion of our property and sent Pathiel home. The portal was a permanent connection to Luminaria so we could visit one another when we wanted.

Phi stood at the center with her tablet in hand, eyes scanning the room for any potential flaws in our party tapestry. I joined her and clapped my hands to get everyone's attention. "This is really coming together. You've done a great job of getting this done as a group. Dawson turns 60 only once. I"m certain this will be a celebration he won"t forget."

Dea wound balloons together on her fishing line like it was an Olympic sport. I walked over with a smirk. "You going for the gold medal this time?"

Dea rolled her eyes. "A party without balloons is like a day without sarcasm – utterly dull and pointless."

Kota had become a fiery force of nature in this case. It was good to see she was still adept at handling delicate fringe. She paused in attaching it to the arches with meticulous care and looked over her shoulder at us. "If only I could set this fringe ablaze without melting it. Now, that would be a party trick!"

We all chuckled, and Dre tapped the sequined backdrop with a sly grin. "Nothing says "happy birthday" like feeling you"re caught in a disco fever nightmare."

I gasped and acted like she'd offended me. "What did sequins ever do to you?"

Dre waggled her fingers. "Says the woman who didn't have to sew them onto costumes for dance recitals."

A laugh bubbled out of me as I was picking up the box of personalized picture frames featuring Dawson"s face at every life stage. "That's because I experienced the joy of having kids who did track and field. These turned out perfect, Phi. They're a journey through the ages."

As we toiled away, Lia straightened and said, "It's time for a drink, sestras. Decorating is hard work."

Phi gave Lia a mock incredulous look. "No one is ready for us to descend into madness. We've got to at least surprise Dawson first."

"Speak for yourself. I need a drinky-drink," Kota grumbled as she finished the fringe masterpiece and then waved a hand theatrically over the arches. "Clowns are less terrifying than this. And I"ve faced down demons."

Dea laughed. "It'll help. We can't check out this time. This is our party."

Dre walked over with a tray of drinks and kicked the sequin curtain as she passed. "Dawson might need sunglasses just to survive his own party."

Lia raised a glass and held it out. "He will survive. To Dawson, may his birthday be as twisted as we are!"

As the hall transformed into a kaleidoscope of black, gold, and white, we eagerly awaited Dawson"s arrival. We were armed with balloons, fringe, sequins, etched glasses, and an arsenal of sarcasm. The final touches were in place, and we exchanged satisfied glances as we gathered in the dimly lit men"s parlor. The rest of our family joined us. I could feel their anticipation mounting.

In the subdued light, the room crackled with excitement, and the air hummed with whispered exhilaration. I nodded to Lia, who was stationed by the light switch like a coiled spring. "Ready, Lia?"

Lia"s eyes twinkled mischievously as she poised herself. "Ready when you are."

I grinned back, getting caught up in the excitement. "Ready. Let"s keep it dark until the moment"s right."

The lights went out, and I could hear Kota mutter, "Dark as the abyss, just the way we planned."

As we huddled together, our excitement mounting, the distant sound of footsteps drew nearer. The moment had arrived. Sophie, the mastermind behind this grand scheme, entered the room, her eyes alight with anticipation.

"Stop fiddling with that, Dawson," Sophie"s voice, rich with her French accent, echoed through the corridor. "Trust me, you"re going to love this. Let me lead you."

Dawson chuckled good-naturedly. "Soph, you know how much I hate surprises."

Sophie shot a wicked grin to us as she opened the parlor door and let some light into the transformed space. We held our breath, ready to unleash the chaos of joy. The second Dawson crossed the threshold and the door closed, the room erupted in a synchronized shout, "Surprise!"

The blindfold fell away, revealing a scene that could rival the most fantastical of dreams. Black, gold, and white balloons created a celestial canopy above. Their reflections bouncing off the polished floor like stars scattered across the night sky. The sequined backdrop shimmered like a portal to a realm of celebration, capturing and reflecting the laughter and joy that would unfold.

Brezok"s bar was a beacon of mystical libations awaiting its first explorer. Bottles glinted, promising a magical intoxication. We had spared no detail, etching glasses with Dawson"s name in elegant script, ensuring each sip was one of celebration.

In an orchestrated display, Tegan, Scarlett, and Ava cast firework spells with a flick of their wrists. The air crackled with sparks of magic, painting the room in ephemeral hues. It was a spellbound spectacle and a fitting tribute to a man whose life had been anything but ordinary.

Amidst the dazzle, Dawson"s laughter rang out. "You lot are insane. And you never cease to amaze me."

Dea stepped forward, a glass raised high. "To Dawson, the man of the hour and one of the best brothers anyone could ask for. You keep us on our toes, and for that, we thank you." The room echoed with clinks of glasses and laughter as Dawson"s kids, faces aglow with admiration, took the stage.

Lilly, his eldest, cleared her throat. "Dad, you"re not just the guy who tells bad jokes. You"re our hero. You take care of everyone and never ask for anything in return."

Cassie added, "And when life gets tough, you"re the one who shows us how to face it with a grin. We love you, Dad."

Celeste looked at him with a mischievous twinkle. "Even when you embarrass us with your dance moves, you"re still the coolest dad on the block."

The hall echoed with applause as others took turns expressing their love and gratitude for Dawson. Phi"s speech was a dance of words, poetic and heartfelt; mine was a tapestry of memories woven with humor and affection. While Dea"s was a regal proclamation of familial bonds and enduring connections. Kota, Lia, and Dre were sitting at a table and didn't get up to join at that moment.

Dawson wiped away a not-so-manly tear before taking the stage. "" never expected a party like this. You guys... I don"t know what to say."

I didn't have the same problem as I returned his smile. "How about "thank you for the best surprise party in the history of surprise parties"?"

"And a trip to Europe," Lia shouted.

Dawson chuckled. "Yeah, that works. Thank you, all of you. This is more than I could"ve imagined."

As the night unfolded in celebration of family, laughter, and love, we reveled in the success with Agnes and surprising Dawson. The hall echoed with the laughter of Dawson and his loved ones. It was a harmonious melody that lingered in the air long after the last balloon had popped, the last firework spell had fizzled and the last toast had been made.