Self Discovery: Chapter 34

"Is she here yet? Is she here yet? Is she here yet?" I bounced up and down, trying to contain myself as Darin stood on a ladder, attempting to hang up a Happy Birthday banner. Somehow, he'd managed to convince Murphy to let us throw my birthday party at Bollweevil. Murphy had even closed it for the day, allowing us to have the run of the place. I made a mental note to thank him for it later.

"Dude, relax. Hannah will be here. Has she ever let you down?"

"No."

"Then chill." He cautiously turned around, yelling over his shoulder. "Mellifluous! Little help here?!"

Mel twirled through the double doors that led to the kitchen, carrying a large box. "Coming Dare Bear!" She set the box down on a nearby table before skipping over and climbing the ladder that was opposite from the one Darin was standing on. "Yes Dare Bear?"

He sighed. "Mel, i need you on the floor. I need you to hand me balloons. I'd ask Les to do it, but she's to busy fretting over the fact that her girlfriend hasn't arrived yet." He shot me a glare. "Yet she's--ironically--not fretting over the arrival of the other party guests."

"Bite me."

He paused, turning around to look at me before shaking his head. "Nah. That's way to easy."

I flipped him off before he turned back to Mel, extending his hand and waiting for her to hand him a balloon. For all of Mel's idiosyncracies, she didn't have a problem with balloons. Actually, I take that back; it was popping balloons she had a problem with. I won't go into it.

I paced back and forth, my eyes landing on the cake box. Making sure no one was looking, I went to open it. Only to be stopped by the cake police.

"Leslie, no peeking in that box. That's for later." Mom came walking out of the kitchen, setting down a veggie tray. She checked her watch. "When are your other frtiends supposed to be here?"

"We told them two." I checked my watch and groaned. "It's only one forty-five?!"

Mom laughed. "Just relax. Everyone will be here soon."

"Not soon enough."

"Why don't you help me in the kitchen?"

"Okay." I followed Mom into the kitchen, where Dad was standing at the grill, firing off hamburgers and hotdogs. "Mmm...Dad, those smell amazing."

"Thanks Sweets." He looked at me, cockily flipping a burger patty into the air. "Now come here and give me a hug." I rolled my eyes, but walked over and gave him a hug anyway.

"Is there anything I can do?"

"You can help by arranging these peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on this tray," Mom said. "They need to be cut in half diagonally."

I took two of the sandwiches, cut them in half diagonally, and started arranging them in a spiral on the tray. "Something like this?"

"Very good." She hugged me from behind. "You're learning from your Mama."

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah yeah." I set to work on the rest of the sandwiches, cutting them in half diagonally and setting them on the tray. "Mom, I'm done. Do you want me to take these out to the main room?"

"Yes please."

I did as instructed, carefully maneuvering the large tray out into the main part of the restaurant. I set it down on the same table as the cake, making sure to rearrange the few sandwiches that had shifted during the move. I stood back and admired my handiwork. "Not bad if I do say so myself."

"Those look yummy."

I broke into a grin at the voice behind me, turning around. "Hey Hannah."

"Hey Beautiful." She wrapped her arms around my waist from behind, giving a slight nip to my ear. "Miss me?"

"Always." I turned around in her embrace, planting a kiss on her lips before placing my arms around her neck. "Hannah?" Her eyes were searching the restaurant. "What's wrong?"

She turned her attention back to me. "Nothing. Just making sure no one's in the vicinity."

"Why?"

"Because I don't want anyone to see me do this." She lifted me off the ground, spinning the two of us around. When I was set back on my feet, she hugged me from behind again. "I've been wanting to do that since the day I first met you."

I melted on the spot. "R-really?" I felt her nod. "Oh Hannah..." I leaned back to kiss her, only to have Dad interrupt the moment.

"Ah, there's my daughter's girlfriend."

Hannah let go of me, walking over to him. "Hey Mr. Patterson. How are things going?" In the last several weeks, she'd gotten pretty comfortable around my Dad. The two had finally hit a point where they could banter back and forth.

"Can't complain. You treating my daughter right?"

"Yes Sir."

"Thatta girl." He playfully shoved Hannah's ball cap down over her eyes before going to check on Mel and Darin.

"Yes sir?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Hey, it doesn't matter if your significant other is the same or opposite gender from you, Dads are all the same; they want to make sure their little girl is being cared for."

"And am I being cared for?"

She used a thumb to lift up the brim of her cap, giving me an easy smile. "You tell me."

I planted a soft kiss to her cheek. "You're doing wonderfully."

"Good good."

"Leslie, you aunts, uncles and cousins are starting to arrive, along with a few of your other friends from school. You might want to go greet them." Mom walked over, shooting me a look before turning to Hannah. "Hello Hannah."

"Hey. How are you?"

"Good. And you?"

"Good."

Mom smiled. "Just a few minutes okay? Then, Leslie? You have to go greet your guests. They are here for you after all."

"I know Mom. Be there in a sec." Mom nodded, walking away. I sighed, turning to Hannah. "Unfortunately, I have to go play host now, so...duty calls."

"Aww..."

"Oh! I haven't introduced you to the rest of my family yet, have I?"

"Nope."

"Good." I took her by the hand, leading her toward the aunts and uncles who were now streaming through the door. "I can introduce you then."