Chapter 47

CHAPTER 47

Skye

R osita, back at the house to celebrate Maddie's birthday, gathers plates and utensils from the kitchen cabinets as well as a quart of vanilla ice cream from the freezer while I open the oven door to check on the apple pie I made with Maddie.

" Gracias , Rosita." I thank her.

"De nada . You are a very good woman for Se?or Jackson and Maddie. Se?orita Phillips —she makes a face of disgust— muy mala! Perra!"

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 guarded because 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.

" Hoppy Birthday!" 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.

"Daddy, it says: I hope you'll wear my surprise next year in Paris with your daddy and me... A million kisses."

An awed smile lights Finn's face as Maddie eagerly tears off the paper and opens the box. Unfolding the delicate layers of tissue paper, she beholds my surprise—a last minute Etsy purchase that I couldn't resist. Her eyes grow round as saucers and her jaw drops to the floor.

" Mon Dieu! It's an outfit just like the one Madeline wears in the books." She holds up the royal blue coat and then the wide-brimmed yellow hat.

"Scarlet, can I put them on?"

"Of course, my sweet girl!" I watch as she shimmies into the coat and slips on the hat. Though the coat's a little big for my petite girl, she looks totally adorable in it. My Madeline.

"Come over here, sweetie. I'll button it for you." With a cheek-splitting grin, she skips over to me and I help her with the buttons. Then, I tie the red bow that accents the white collar.

She looks up at Finn. "Daddy, do you like it?"

"I love it." He shoots me a dazzling, dimpled smile that makes my heart melt. "C'mon, sunshine. You're dressed perfectly to go outside."

"Outside?"

"Yes, that's where my present is."

Exchanging a conspiratorial wink with Finn, Rosita offers to clean up.

Perplexed, Maddie and I follow Finn outdoors. He leads us down to the beach. And there it is shimmering in the moonlight. I gasp.

A magnificent white stallion that's been made up to look like a magical unicorn—complete with a sparkling pink mane and tail and a rainbow cone—just like the one I drew. Maddie must have shown him the picture. I don't know how my gorgeous husband pulled this off. He never ceases to amaze me. My heart is overflowing with emotion. And love.

My little girl is as blown away as I am. "Daddy, it's a unicorn!"

"Uh-huh. He's come for your special day. Tomorrow, he will return to his kingdom."

"Can I pet him?"

"Of course." Finn lifts her up and she gently strokes his neck.

"Daddy, he's so sweet and beautiful. Scarlet told me unicorns are magic!"

"They are. Come on, let's go for a ride." He sets her on the sequined blanket draping the horse's back and then takes the reign, slowly leading the noble creature along the beach with me by his side. He takes my hand in his, every cell in my body lighting up like the stars above us.

Together, we stroll along the black as night ocean to the lull of the white-crested waves softly ebbing and flowing beneath the celestial sky. The silver moon is full, smiling down upon us.

My eyes mist as the magic of this moment fills every atom of my being. Narnia . I never want this day to end.

I make a wish. Then a vow. I can't lose my husband and daughter again. Ever.

They are my unicorns.