Atlas by Elin Peer

Author:Elin Peer [Peer, Elin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-12-06T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 16

Celebration

Jolene

The house smelled of homemade bread, cinnamon buns, and coffee when River and I walked down the stairs.

“Wow, what time did you get up?” I asked and took in the long table with a breakfast feast on it.

“Saffron woke us up at six.” Liv smiled.

River walked around the table. “This all looks amazing, Liv, but can I eat the bread?”

“Yes, there’s no dairy in it. I made you a fruit platter too.”

River walked over and kissed Liv’s cheek. “You’re the best.”

“Good. We were waiting for you two to come down. The others are outside.”

“Why? It’s cold outside.”

“Nathan thought they could do with a bit of morning exercise, so he challenged them to a quick round of soccer.”

“And they went for it?”

Liv tilted her head. “Only because Saffron got all excited and wanted to do it. It’s her birthday, after all.”

River and I walked through the living room to the deck outside and watched Nathan, Charles, Maximum, and Atlas play soccer with little Saffron.

Opening the door, River shouted. “Breakfast is ready.”

In came the soccer players bringing the scent of fresh air and wet grass.

“Wash your hands, Peanut,” Liv told her daughter and kissed her cheek.

Atlas came to stand in front of me. “Good morning. Did you sleep well?”

“Yes. Well, River and I talked until two a.m.”

With a small smile on his lips, Atlas looked in the direction of River. “Yeah, I can imagine. She’s always been good at late-night talks.”

I gave a small yawn. “It was good. I learned a lot, and your sister is a sweetheart.”

“Can I sit with you?” Saffron was back and tugging at Atlas’ hand.

“I was hoping you’d ask.” He took her hand, and the two of them moved to the long table. I loved the soft side that the little girl brought out in him.

“You coming?” Atlas asked me with a glance over his shoulder.

“Yes.” It warmed me that he included me.

While indulging in cinnamon buns, fresh fruit, bacon, and some of the other delicious things set out, I listened to the Robertson family talking across the table. They were all here except for Lumi, whom I couldn’t wait to meet.

“Damian, Kit, and Lumi are coming to celebrate your birthday later today,” Charles said to Saffron. “I told them not to bring any present since you’re too old for that now that you’re six.”

Saffron didn’t pick up on her father’s humor and almost teared up. “I’m not. I like presents.”

“Nooo, aren’t presents for little kids?” Charles teased her.

“Don’t listen to him. I love presents, and I’m a grown-up,” River told the little girl.

“That’s debatable,” Nathan muttered and received an elbow to his ribs from River.

“Saffron, sweetie, I have something for you.” Maximum handed her a present.

She lit up in a big smile. “Can I open it?”

“I don’t see why not. It’s your birthday, isn’t it?” Maximum exclaimed. Atlas and I exchanged a glance. Yesterday, he’d told me that he needed to go and buy her a present this morning, and I’d said I wanted to come along and buy something for her as well.

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