The Big Hurrah

[arsenal_arrow]

(Bendy-timed to August 17th)Lian's been distracted most of the day doing other things, but that doesn't mean she doesn't suspect there's a party being planned for her. She'd be right. Unknown to her (though Roy didn't put anything past his baby girl), there's been quiet setup for weeks

Comments

[middle_amazon]

She's not much help. 8 months and 2 weeks into her pregnancy she's waddling more then walking and every 20 seconds she feels like she has to go to the bathroom. She's still having fun with the circumstances, but she's also just a little tired of having her son's feet in her ribs.

Ten to thirteen is "adolescence" in the ancient cultures she grew up in. This is, to her, the last childhood birthday. This part of Man's world has a longer "growing up" period and she feels it's very healthy. Still, considering her own past, she hopes she can be half as good to Lian as Wildcat was to her.

"She grew up on us."

[violeteyedmage]

Garth shakes his head. "They do that," he admits.

[middle_amazon]

"Garth, can I get that mist field again?" Being very pregnant in the summer is testing even her endurance. "I'm feeling better today, guys. More energy and just...lighter. Glad it's happening today, huh?"

[violeteyedmage]

"Of course," Garth replies. A mist field appears around Donna, helping her keep cool. "She's almost the age we were when we met. Hard to believe."

[nation_titansw]

Bette volunteered to distract the kids for the day along with Jack Knight. Single, cute, and funny, but his sense of humor is somewhat flat.

The kids have been hyper and suspicious, which has been a cheerful distraction. When they approach the room, Bette leans down to take Lian's shopping bags with her and nudge her forward. "I think there's something waiting for you."

[starinopal]

Teddy's ready for a party and will follow Lian anywhere it sounds like there's adventure.

"I hear you've got a birthday, too, pretty lady." Jack leans over, loaded down with shopping bags himself, and kisses Bette discretely on the cheek. "Thanks for helping with the kids."

[nation_kids]

"Hi, Mr. Knight," Cerdian greets quietly. "I'm glad you could make it."

[nation_kids]

Lian runs into the room, identifying her Dad by hair color even as she rounds the corner, and runs into him, laughing as she hugs him.

[make_contact]

Joey arrives a little later than some of the other guests, guitar on his back and Apollo on a harness leash at his side. The puppy is still running circles around him trying to trip him up as they reach the front door. In fact by the time Joey has run the doorbell the leash is cutting off circulation to his right foot.

Joe can only hope that a whole afternoon with a gang of children paying him some attention will wear the little guy out so that he'll actually SLEEP through the night instead of waking his loving owner up in the wee hours of the morning with licks on the face and possibly bites on the ear.

He whistles three particular notes to get the puppy's attention, picking him up once he scampers over. This is going to be an interesting party, doubtless.

[starinopal]

In eye sight of Jack, Teddy is making his hyper rounds at the party, yammering off at one person until another catches his fancy. He's worked his way back to the door to greet guests as soon as they come in, and tell them all about the awesome cookies Ma Hunkle let him deliver.

"Oh, hi! I bet you're here for th--" Teddy's frozen, wide-eyed and fascinated. They live in a house, but dad says something about a "lees" every time Teddy asks for a puppy.

"Neat dog! Can I pet him?"

[make_contact]

Joey beams as he steps inside the house, Apollo wriggling excitedly in his grip, alternately licking his fingers and trying to leap out of his arms.

Once the door is shut Joey nods to Teddy, crouching down still holding the puppy so that Teddy can pet him without getting bowled over by eight pounds of wriggling dog.

Apollo makes an excited little whining noise and pushes his head toward Teddy, tail thumping back and forth like an especially speedy metronome.

[_ghosty_girl_]

Greta smiles, sitting a tray of finger-pastries on the table, and comes over to give Apollo a scratch before signing to Joey.

"Welcome to the grouping" Greta says, then frowns as she realizes that that's not the word she wants.

"Sorry. Still new to signing talking" Greta says with a sheepish smile.

[lanternslight]

Hal shows up, a two-year-old in tow. He puts Henry on the ground so he's free to run around.

"Go play!"

Henry, his finger up his nose, scampers off the way only an excited two-year-old can.

[nation_jla]

"He is growing up well, Hal." Aunt Diana is here, but these kind of gathering are more of her sister's domain.

[nation_jla]

"Hey guys," Being the go between guy for the teams sucks most of the time. Today is one of those good times. "Want something from the kitchen?"

[nation_jla]

"Beer if you got one." Grandpa has arrived, and as good natured as he is, a kid's party still requires lubrication. "Hal. Diana." Yup. Still a little interesting to think of her as an in-law. He'll get there...maybe.

[middle_amazon]

"Time for the presents, Lian!"

[nation_kids]

"Pres-ents!" Lian sings, waving her hands over her head as she walks to the present table. Ignoring them for a minute, Lian hugs Donna.

"Thanks, Mom."

[middle_amazon]

She pulls Lian in for a quick kiss on the head before letting her go to the table. "Welcome."

[arsenal_arrow]

Roy's approaching the table after wrangling Teddy away from getting into anything else. He lets the boy loose as soon as he's sure he's not going to start climbing the walls immediately.

Then Roy looks at the pile. Every year, somehow it manages to get bigger...