The Prince and the Frog

Birthday Gal

Lynn:

As I woke up I was groggy and annoyed. I sat up on my bed and looked around my bedroom in my new townhouse in annoyances, I... WAS.... PISSED. The family gathering on my first day back home last week was great. I was greeted with hugs and kisses from my family and I was able to catch up with my siblings and play with my niece Noe and my nephew Noah. Everything was going great until the end of the night when I was washing dishes from the huge dinner we just had with my mama when she dropped a bomb on me,

"Since it's your birthday next Friday how about we have a barbecue like we use to, dad can cook your favorite sausage hot dogs and I can make rice." Stated my mother.

I already knew by the tone of her voice it wasn't a question or request but a demand, a statement. 

"I have plans actually some of my friends wanted to take me out for a few drinks and Sergio want's to take me out for breakfast." I responded quickly hoping that would let me off the hook. I rather not have everyone over and apologizing for my failed marriage and my return home, making me feel more of a loser then I already felt.

"Well, you can go out to breakfast and then come to the party, after if it's early enough you can go out for drinks with your friends. I cannot cancel this party I already invited everyone." She simply stated.

Knowing there was no point in arguing with her I looked at her and said "fine". Not saying anything else she smiled and went back to washing the dishes while I just stood there letting the hot water from the dishes burn my hands. Why did I want to come back home?

It has been a week since that conversation and I have tried multiple times to get out of this party but mama was a rock and what she says goes. I was contemplating on just staying in my bed and finishing up watching the FRIENDS series again, but faith was not on my side as I heard loud banging coming from my front door downstairs. Getting the strength to get out of bed I quickly pulled over my favorite oversize shirt over myself, barely covering up down to my knees. I had a bad habit of sleeping in just panties and nothing else, I was a hot sleeper. Walking out of my bedroom and down the stairs I took my time in looking around my new townhouse my parents got me. It was modern with a huge living room and an attached dining room with led to an updated gallery kitchen, upstairs were two spacious bedrooms each with its own private bathroom. I was in love with my new home.

The knocking continued and was annoying me until I opened the door to reveal a very grown up Sergio Lara who's mouth dropped when he saw what I was wearing.  His gaze went from staring at my bare legs up to my chest where my very visible n*****s were hard and on full display thanks to the A/C blowing in the background. Quickly feeling the heat off my cheeks I snapped my fingers several time to get Sergio's attention back to my face. It took multiple times but it worked.

"Hey sorry, ummm I am here to take you to breakfast for your birthday. Did you forget?" he asked while blushing.

Oh s**t, I did forget. I guess I was so busy trying to get out of the party I forgot he was taking me to IHOP.

"Oh no sorry I didn't forget I just didn't hear my alarm," I lied. "Come in and make yourself comfortable, I'll just go upstairs and throw something on".

"All right," he replied while stepping in and looking around "Happy Birthday Lynn" he added quickly ducking down to give me a peck on the cheek.

Blushing I turned around and ran towards the stairs, as I started running up I felt Sergio's eyes burning in the back of my head starring at my barely covered ass. Making it into the safety of my room I locked the door and leaned my back on it. Taking a deep breath I pushed myself to get ready. Sergio had never kissed me before, sure he was a good looking Mexican just about 5'7 with jet black hair and big brown eyes but I never really saw him any other way besides my best friend who was 2 years younger then me. Maybe things could have be different if he was closer to my age, but I wasn't willing to find out back then... plus he was not Peter. 

One thing was for sure, today was definitely going to be interesting.

Peter:

It's been one week since Lynn has come home and I've had to use all the strength I could muster to prevent myself from calling her mother and ask for Lynn's new address. I know for a fact they got her a new townhouse but they did not provide her address for obvious reasons. I have a good life now, two years ago I bought my first home and have two amazing kids my beautiful daughter Alexandra and my amazing son Alejandro. I'm even married to my wife Carrie, I have the perfect family that I did not have growing up. Everything in my life is perfect, but yet something in the back of my head is telling me something is missing. This s**t started ever since I heard Lynn was coming home. Why is she back? Why didn't she just stay in Chicago? She is pissing me off and I haven't even seen her yet.

It is now the day of her party and I'm standing outside her parents front door with my kids on either side of me. Releasing my hand from Alex's grip I quickly knocked several times on the door and put on a smile. Slipping my hand back into my daughters I noticed it was wet and shaking vigorously. At this moment I'm glad my kids are still young enough to not notice daddy shaking. While we waited for the door to open I start to panic. Is this a good idea? Maybe I should leave. Ah I can't, I need to see her. I need to find out if she is happy that way I can stop feeling so guilty and go back to focusing on my family... on my life. I know we can never be back together but I need this.

The sound of the door opening pulled me from my thoughts and revealed my lifetime best friend Celeste and by the look of her face she was not expecting me. "Peter what are you doing here?" She asked curiously.

"I was invited," I laugh out loud "now are you going to let us in or let me melt in the sun" I joked.

Looking over her shoulder and back at me several times I knew she was weighing her choices. Sighing she looked at my kids and gave a smile "Sure come on in guys."

As we entered my children's hands were no longer in mine as they ran over to Celeste children and I'm assuming other family members children to play. I wasn't alone as Celeste grabbed a hold of my hand and took me around the house and backyard to say my hello's to everyone. I've known all these people since I was 12 years old and they've become my second family but they were not the ones I kept glancing around looking for. 

"She is not here yet," Celeste whispered in my ear "Sergio took her out for breakfast and then she went back home to shower and change."

"I'm not looking for her, I'm just keeping an eye out for my kids." I lied.

Glaring at me she leaned forward so close that only I could hear her. "Come with me now," she demanded.

Normally I would argue back with her but from the look in her eyes I knew it was better to follow. She led us to her parents room which was the farthest from everyone.  As we made our way into the room she quickly closed the door and locked it. s**t, this is the day my best friend kills me. She faced me and crossed her arms over her chest, which she only does when she is super serious. "What the hell are you doing here Peter?" she barked at me.

"I was invited, am I no longer considered family?" I stated a little annoyed that she would question me being here.

"Of course you are, you know damn well what I mean. Why are you here today? It's Lynn birthday and she has been through enough this year. Do you really think this is the best idea?" She questioned.

"I'm here because your mom invited me to a family event which you just agreed I am considered family. I know it's her birthday but I promise my only intention is just to celebrate with everyone else and nothing more." I answered as honestly as I could.

"Your married Peter."

"I know."

"You've got kids"

I" know." I repeated

"She just got divorced a few months ago."

"I know that also."

Celeste became quiet, she no longer had the look of anger in her eye but the look of concern for her little sister.

"What does Carrie think about you being here?" she asked.

I understand why she would ask, Carrie never understood why my ex girlfriends family was still part of my life and she hated it very much. She thinks the only reason I still come over and spend time with them is because of Lynn. But that is not true they were in my life before Lynn and I were even together, they were my family that I desperately needed when I was younger. She tried for the longest time to stop me from seeing them but once she realized I would not stay away from them she dropped it... sorta.

"She isn't happy but she knows there is nothing she could do about it. She is at work right now so I told her to come over after." I answered.

I also know Carrie won't come over here unless she absolutely feels the need to.

Sighing Celeste said "Alright fine, but just stay in your own lane."

Nodding as a response we turn toward the door and walked out together catching up and joking pretending our conversation had not just happened. Walking into the living we saw it was empty, guessing everyone was now in the back yard we decided to joined them. As we reached the outside we saw everyone gathered in the middle of the yard. It honest to God looked like a dog pile, getting nearer the crowd separated a bit just enough for Celeste and I to walk through to see what the commotion was all about. After finally breaking through everyone I saw her.