2 weeks later.
Ellie’s Birthday Party.
I show up to the party 30 minutes early with Marley to help Jake with any last-minute things he might need help with. When I get there, Jake is taping a happy birthday sign up by the lanes.
“Hey! Happy Birthday, Ellie!” I say.
“Yeah, Happy Birthday, Ellie,” Marley adds. She runs over giving us both an excited hug.
“Thanks! Wow! I love your braid, Marley. I wish I had one like that,” Ellie says, and I’m reminded of how she loves braids but Jake isn’t great at it.
“I can do a braid for you if you want? One? Two? Braid crown? Braids are my specialty!”
Her beautiful hazel eyes that she got from her Daddy, brighten, and her sweet face lights up, “Really?” She beams.
“Of course! What would you like?”
“Can you do two braids that go into two b
