Chapter 3 - Rebuilding the Castle
When I reached the West Pavilion, it looked like a frantic construction zone. But magic was happening.
Patricia was already stringing pink-and-gold fairy lights across the wooden beams. Two assistants were hastily pinning up a brand-new banner that read: “Happy 7th Birthday, Princess Emma!”
"How are we doing?" I asked, my heart hammering against my ribs.
Patricia wiped sweat from her forehead, smiling breathlessly. "We're pulling out all the stops, Jessica. I called in a favor with a bakery downtown—they had a spare castle cake they were holding for a display, and they’re rushing it over right now. The petting zoo animals are walking over as we speak!"
"Thank you, Patricia. Truly."
Just then, Mrs. Chun and Emma appeared at the edge of the pavilion. Emma was holding a giant, melting scoop of strawberry ice cream on a cone, but her eyes were wide with wonder as she looked at the newly decorated space.
"Mommy?" Emma gasped, dropping her hand from Mrs. Chun's. "Is this... is this mine?"
I knelt down, wiping a stray drop of pink ice cream from her chin. "It’s all yours, baby. Bigger, better, and completely yours."
May you like
Emma let out a squeal of joy that reached deep into my soul, erasing every ounce of exhaustion I had felt over the last eight months. She threw her arms around my neck so hard we almost tipped backward.
Across the grass, families who had been turned away earlier were beginning to trickle back, guided by text messages Rachel and I had sent out. Parents were smiling, children were running toward the newly set-up bounce house, and for the first time all day, the air felt light.
