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Amelia huffed as she walked back to Blight Manor, once again internally ranting about how much of a bitch Odalia was. All she had wanted to do today was spend some time with her siblings, but no she had just had to separate them all and send them out on various chores.
She had been too busy to even visit the Parks. It would have been nice to see them today. Especially Salix and little Willow. But alas it was not meant to be today.
She sighs and smiles when Blight Manor finally comes into view. Odalia couldn’t keep her and her loved ones apart forever. There were only so many chores to do outside the house after all and even if Odalia still tried to keep them separate in the manor just to spite Amelia they were all adept at sneaking around the house.
Amelia felt a buzz ripple through her mind. Her scroll. She pulled it out of pocket space to check what the notification was about. Sal was asking for her assistance with something.
Amelia immediately turned around and began marching towards the Park house. As eager as she was to see her little siblings she would never ignore her best friend when she needed her. Afterall, the Parks were her family too as far as she was concerned.
She knocked on the door of the Park family home bouncing from foot to foot. What could Sal need help with? She hoped Sal and or her family weren’t in any danger. But Amelia was prepared in case they were.
“Come in!” Mr Harvey’s voice called. They must have known she’d be coming over. Sal’s dads expecting her and likely knowing whatever the situation was, was reassuring. Sal always kept the worst problems a secret. Amelia opened the door not sure what to expect.
“Surprise!” Multiple voices shouted. Two small familiar bodies tackled into her giggling and Amelia laughed, picking them both up and spinning them around.
She put Amity and Willow down, giving the 9 year olds head pats while she looked around. Streamers. Balloons. Party hats. A wide colorful banner. All of her siblings and the entire Park family were present. She certainly wasn’t expecting this but she certainly wasn’t disappointed.
Willow and Amity looked up at her with wide eyes and bounced in place a little. “Happy birthday Lia!” They cheered followed shortly by the others
Amelia giggled and wiped a few tears away. She saw Salix wearing a satisfied smirk in the back. A rare real one. Amelia wondered how she set this all up. Amelia leaned down to kiss the little girls on the foreheads. “Thanks, Amy. Thanks, Little Saintpaulia. I’m very happy to see you both. And everyone else too. Thank you”
The little girls jabbered excitedly about their days as they each grabbed one of Amelia’s hands and pulled her towards the others which got a chuckle out of her.
Once the youngest of the group backed off a little the Twins struck. They liked performing “happy birthday” pranks on anyone they cared about. It was fascinating to see what they came up with each year. Ed asked for a handshake revealing the old Whoopie cushion in a hand trick and Em surprised and scared her with a weird looking illusion on her face.
She playfully chased the two 11-year-olds after they finished and eventually (gently) pinned them to the ground and began tickling them and smothering their faces with kisses much to their giggled complaints.
Salix helped her up once she was done and then pulled her into a nice long hug.
“Happy birthday Amelia. You deserve a really good one after everything.” Salix whispered in her ear and ran a comforting hand through her hair.
Amelia took a shaky breath, “Thanks, Sal. I love this. Good job setting it all up.”
Salix bumped into her playfully, “I know you, girl,” Salix gestured to everyone else in the room, “and I know what is truly important to you.”
Amelia buried her face in Salix’s neck to hide her tears, “Thanks….. Sis.”
Salix chuckled and patted her head, “Anytime.”
Soon enough Salix dragged Amelia over to speak with her fathers. The men smiled warmly down at her when not but two years ago they stared at her like a wild animal, afraid moving a muscle would set her off. Oh how time changes things.
“Thank you for hosting this party Mr and Mr Park” she murmured, still unused to being around adults that actually care.
They smiled and crouched down to be more on her eye level. Gilbert spoke first, “It was our pleasure Dear. You deserve a proper celebration for this day and we know you haven’t been getting one for years.”
Harvey leaned forward and whispered conspiratorially, “Besides. You only turn 14 once. Gotta make it count.”
They opened their arms offering a hug and Amelia gladly ran into it. They closed their big strong arms around her and Amelia swore she was beginning to feel something she hadn’t felt since she was a toddler. She already considered Willow and Salix sisters could Harvey and Gilbert… She began purring against their chests. Harvey and Gilbert froze for a moment in shock. They weren’t sure if Amelia would ever feel safe and comfortable enough around them to purr. And yet here she was. They happily purred back to the child.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
The party was fun for all. Games were played. Cake was eaten. Laughs were had. And presents were given.
Amity had given her hand drawn pictures of their family and some cute animals. Amelia had thanked her and promised to put it on her wall. She just had to find room for it among the others.
Ed and Em teamed up to get her some headphones and a music player which was greatly appreciated. She always loved music but didn’t get many opportunities to listen to it.
Saintpaulia hand grew her a flower traditionally given to big sisters on the isles. A pink carnageation. The pink color represents the older sister's love and the flower represents her protective fury. Amelia definitely did not cry.
Salix got her some cooking utensils she’d been wanting to try out. She loved cooking for her siblings and it was a relaxing process.
Finally the Park dad’s had something special. They had made copies of various family pictures and pictures of Salix and Willow growing up and put them together in a photo album. Fond memories. Memories she had been wishing she could have seen or been a part of for two years. Amelia held them close to her chest in order to protect the precious relic.
They were all great gifts. But in truth the best one she ever could have asked for was the party itself. The opportunity to spend time with everyone she loved on this special day. No matter how hard Odalia tried to take it away.