Protecting and Healing You

Chapter 20.

"Has Leo told you his plans for Nellie's birthday?" Stephanie asks, I shake my head.

"Surprisingly the two of us haven't talked in a while"I tell Leo's mother.

"Oh dear, is everything alright between you two?" She asks quickly. I chuckle.

"Everything is fine"I nod "we've just been so busy"I shrug. She sighs smiling.

"Well I guess I'll tell you, it's gonna be at the house and we're just gonna have a few people over from her daycare, you can invite your family as well"She smiles.

I nod, "is there a theme?" I ask.

She laughs "you think my son did a theme? There is, but I made it up"

"What's the theme?" I laugh.

"What do most girls want to be?"she asks tilting her head. I laugh.

"Princess" I say and she nods. We laugh.

"Your boyfriend isn't opposed to it that's for sure"

"I'm surprised"I chuckle. "I guess I have to get Nellie a gift, you don't have any ideas do you?" I ask sweetly.

"Oh let me pull up my phone, I have plenty of ideas" She says leaning down and placing her purse on her lap.

"Amazing"I smile as I set my coffee down.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I walk out to Stephanie's backyard, it was big but not as big as their old house clearly. Isla and Nellie were playing on the swing set, there was also a themed jumping castle on the other side.

My parents were inside with Stephanie and for my siblings they were sitting on the deck, I give them all a smile as I make my way to Leo, who was talking to Cooper.

"Hey"I smile. They both turn and Leo's face lights up.

"Hi beautiful"he says, quickly taking in my appearance. Just had on a simple yellow sundress and some wedges. Leo wraps an arm around my waist. Cooper soon excuses himself "okay great I can do this now"Leo says, he places his fingers on my chin and tilts my head upwards, kissing me. I smile.

"You couldn't have done that before?" I ask him. He shakes his head.

"My ass would've been beat"he says, I roll my eyes.

"How do you feel today?" I ask.

"Why are you asking me that?" He laughs as he turns to look at Nellie.

"Because your a father of six year old congratulations" I pat his chest. He laughs.

"Wanna know the best thing about today?" He asks, I look up at him getting a good view of his sharp jaw considering I was resting my head on his body.

"What?" I ask.

"That you and Nellie are wearing the same colour, yellow. Basically means you two are the light of my laugh"He says, I laugh and kiss him underneath his jaw.

"Dad joke huh?" I ask. He nods and laughs.

"Julie!" I hear, my eyes snap over to Nellie who was rushing off the slide and running towards us. Leo was right, Nellie's bright yellow dress seemed to match mine. We definitely colour coordinated without even trying. We had yellow dresses and Leo seemed to match us with his light brown khakis and light blue button up.

"Hi pretty girl"I smile as I pull away from Leo and pick Nellie up "happy birthday"I smile and kiss her cheek as she wraps her arm around my neck.

"Thanks!" She smiles as Leo wraps an arm around my waist. She then proceeds to tell me all of the things planned when her friends from daycare show up.