The big day had finally arrived. I was sitting on the couch in the living room when the doorbell rang. I got up and hurried to answer it.
"Hi, Monica," Diana said. "How are you doing?"
"I'm fine, thanks. Come on in." I held the door open as the whole Hanson clan entered the house.
"Where should we put this stuff?" Isaac called from the kitchen.
"Oh, the party's outside, so we're setting up down there," I pointed to the dining room right inside from the backyard. I picked up a few bags. "Here, let me help."
"Thanks a lot."
"No problem," I said as I deposited my load on the table. "By the way...how did Taylor take the news?"
Zac laughed. "We told him we were going to see Austin Powers. I can't believe he fell for it; he should know we would never take the little ones to that movie!"
I started laughing, too. "Maybe he thought that one of your parents was going to take them to a different movie or something." Just then the doorbell rang again. "That must be Michelle."
Opening the door, surely enough I saw Michelle and her parents. "Hey guys, come on in," I invited.
"Is everyone else here yet?" Michelle asked.
I looked around, just to make sure. I saw all the adults talking, while Isaac and Zac amused the little ones with impressions and funny faces. "Yep, everyone's here. Anne's in her room."
I knocked on Anne's door. "Anne," I called.
"What?" she asked.
"It's almost time for the party."
"So?" She sounded grouchy; I supposed she hadn't gotten much sleep. But I knew just how to cheer her up.
"Zac's here," I said.
Immediately, the door was thrown open. "Where?" she asked.
I smiled. "Right over there, making the little ones laugh. I'm sure he'd love some company, now that Isaac's talking to Michelle."
"What are you going to do?" she asked.
"I have to call the guest of honor." I went into my parents' room where I wouldn't be interrupted and dialed the number. After two rings, it was picked up.
"Hello?"
I smiled just to hear his voice. "Hey Tay, it's me."
"Hey Moni!"
"So...what are you doing right now?" I asked him.
"Absolutely nothing. Everyone else went to see Austin Powers, but Mom said I had to stay home and clean my room. It's not even my fault; Ike and Zac made all the mess."
I could not resist the urge to tease him. "Oh, poor baby," I said in a mock-sympathetic tone.
"And on my birthday, too!"
"It's your birthday?" I asked as though I had forgotten. "Well, then you certainly shouldn't be working today. Why don't you ditch the chores for a while and come over?"
"Moni, I'd love to, but if I don't get this clean, my parents will get really mad."
"Oh please," I begged. "I need help studying for history."
I waited while he thought for a few minutes. Finally he sighed, and I knew I had won. "Okay," he agreed reluctantly, "but I can't stay for too long."
"That's okay," I said. "So...see you in a few minutes, then!"
"See ya!"
I hung up the phone and rejoined the others. "He's on his way," I announced.
Chapter 34
Love Takes Time
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