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• s i x t y • t w o •

Millie's POV:

"Thank you all for coming!" I remarked gratefully as the last song on my playlist came to an end. There was a bit of a cheer, making me blush lightly. It's been a while since I've thrown, or even been to a party.

I gave a look over to Paige at the DJ booth, signalling it was time to wrap up the event. She nodded in return, and then I felt someone tugging at my dress.

"Millie?" a small voice asked, making me turn around to see my little sister.

"Yes Ava?" I replied, crouching down on the marble floor so I could hear her better. 

"Is the party over?" Ava asked, her face glimmering with hope that it wasn't coming to an end.

"I'm afraid so," I sighed, watching disappointment seep into her glossy eyes.

"Oh," she mumbled quietly, tilting her head downward.

"Did you have fun?" I asked softly, reaching my hand out to lift her chin so I could look at her.

"Yeah," she admitted, a tiny smile forming under her cute little nose.

"How about," I started, then turned my head around to see if there was any desert left. 

"How about what?" Ava asked curiously.

"How about we go get some cake?" I whispered excitedly, making her face light up.

"Cake!" she exclaimed a little too loudly, surprising herself. I giggled as she brought a hand to her mouth, then snorted at her outburst.

"Okay, let's go get you a plate, and then bedtime," I told her, scooping my sister up in my arms as I stood.

"Bedtime?" she asked, suddenly concerned.

"Bedtime," I confirmed, starting towards the desert table.

"Why?" Ava whined sadly.

"It's late hun," I replied, stopping in front of the cake.

"Bedtime makes me sad," she whispered in my ear.

"But cake makes you happy," I smiled at her.

"Cake does make me happy," Ava grinned.

It amazes me how fast her mood changes.

I set Ava down, and cut her a good-sized piece of cake. Paige came over and told me it was too much sugar for her before bed, but I'd rather see Ava going to bed happy than in tears.

"Can you take her upstairs? I'm gonna stick around to say goodbye," I asked Paige, and she nodded. Ava handed me her finished plate and fork before Paige picked her up and left the banquet hall.

I turned around to see Maddie and Lilia chatting on the sofa, Sadie and Caleb kissing in the corner, Noah demolishing a mountain of mashed potatoes, Gaten betting Noah couldn't finish the whole bowl, and Caleb and Finn standing by the fireplace.

I approached Maddie and Lilia first, letting them know things were starting to wrap up. 

"Aw, okay," Maddie sighed, standing from the couch.

"It was great to see you again Millie," Lilia smiled, joining Maddie.

"It was good to see you guys too," I replied. The two of them turned to leave, but Maddie stopped in her tracks.

"I'll meet you in the car," she told Lilia, who looked a bit baffled, but then complied without question.

"Maddie?" I asked, after Lilia had left the room.