Winter crept in this year, not with the drama of snowstorms or biting winds, but subtly, in the chilled breath of morning air and the way traffic at the hotel had picked up like clockwork. Working in hospitality, you don't need a calendar to tell you when the seasons change. The guests do that for you.
I stepped out of the quarters with Twen's small hand in mine. He bounced beside me, his steps light and playful, humming a tune he must've picked up from school or some game. I pulled my coat closer as a gust of wind brushed past.
Robbie's car was parked by the curb, but instead of his usual black sedan, he was in a hatchback. I blinked in mild surprise. Maybe he hadn't gone back home after all. He popped the locks, and we slid in. I strapped Twen into the backseat and clicked my own belt in place.
"You've gotta tell me the route," Robbie said, adjusting the mirrors and starting the engine.
"First, we need to pick up Fred," I told him, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.
Robbie frowned. "Why? Can't he go by himself?"
"He and Tanya are still figuring things out. He feels awkward showing up alone."
"What a big baby," Robbie muttered, but he still drove off in the right direction.
"Well, he's younger than you," I teased.
He let out a grunt of disapproval but didn't argue. Twen had given up on the scenery within five minutes and asked for my phone to play games. I handed it over, knowing full well I wouldn't be seeing it for the next hour.
Fred was waiting outside Deliziosa, dressed in a pressed button-down and holding a bouquet so big it almost looked excessive. Robbie stopped at the curb and unlocked the door.
Fred's eyebrows arched slightly when he saw who was behind the wheel, but he covered it up with his usual cheeky grin.
"Uncle Fred!" Twen beamed from the back seat.
"What's up, champ?" Fred chirped, waving.
He instinctively went for the front seat, but before I could get up to let him in, Robbie reached over and grabbed my hand, firm and possessive.
"Back seat," Robbie said flatly.
Fred raised an eyebrow at the interaction but didn't comment. He climbed into the back with a dramatic sigh and stretched his legs as best as he could.
"Hey, old man," Fred quipped. "You know how to drive, right? Let's not die before we get to the party."
"Keep talking, and I might make that happen," Robbie muttered without looking back.
"Try me," Fred smirked.
"Enough," I snapped. "We're going to a birthday party. You're both grown men, start acting like it."
Fred chuckled but turned his attention to Twen, who was already launching into a story about a game he'd beaten. The two of them had gotten close lately. Twen trusted him. It made me wonder, not for the first time, why Robbie and Fred constantly butted heads. They were more alike than either wanted to admit.
We arrived at Tanya's place just as the sky darkened into twilight. Her apartment was on the 11th floor, tucked into a cozy high-rise that somehow struck a balance between elegance and warmth. When I rang the doorbell, a plump, soft-eyed woman opened the door and greeted us with a kind smile.
"Welcome, come in," she said. "Tanya will be out in just a moment."
"Hi, Aunty!" Twen chirped.
"Can I go to the balcony?" he asked, pointing toward the glass doors that opened to a stunning view.
"Twen, no. I am so sorry, Mrs. —" I started, but the woman cut me off gently.
"Please, call me Teena," she said. "And let him enjoy it. That view's the best part of the place."
"Thank you," I said with a grateful smile.
"Yayyy!" Twen leapt off the couch and scampered toward the balcony. I followed quickly, just in case he got too close to the railing.
The view was breathtaking. From this high up, we could see the city sprawled in golden light, parks and pools nestled between buildings like little gems. As dusk settled, the lights flickered on, lending everything a dreamlike shimmer.
"Mommy, pick me up. I can't see!" Twen tugged at my coat.
"Come here," I said, scooping him into my arms.
"Wow," he whispered, awe coloring his voice. "Can we live in a place like this one day?"
I laughed softly. "Maybe someday."
He grinned and wrapped his arms around my neck, pointing at random sights and asking what they were.
A voice suddenly rang out behind us.
"Tony!"
Tanya appeared in the doorway, radiant in a navy-blue gown, her brown hair falling in soft waves around her face.
"You really came!" she exclaimed, wrapping her arms around me, despite Twen still being in my hold.
"Of course I did," I smiled. "Happy 24th."
"Happy birthday, Aunty Tanya!" Twen chimed in, his voice muffled by my shoulder.
Tanya grinned, leaned in, and pinched his cheeks gently. "Thank you, bunny."
"Aunty Tanya, don't pinch my cheeks. I'm a boy!" he huffed.
We both laughed.
Back inside, Robbie and Fred were on opposite ends of the couch, both looking like they'd rather be anywhere else. Robbie scrolled his phone with the usual intensity; Fred pretended to study what looked like an old iPod. But both stood as Tanya approached.
Robbie stepped forward with an easy charm and extended his hand.
"Happy birthday, Miss Tanya."
"Thank you, Mr. Walker," she replied, a slight blush creeping up her neck.
Fred, however, froze. He rocked back on his heels, looking like a teenager caught sneaking a drink. Tanya approached him with a warm smile.
"Aren't you going to wish me, Mr. D'Souza?"
"I—yeah—uh, happy birthday!" he blurted, shoving the bouquet at her like a shield. "Hope you have a great evening."
Tanya took it with a smile that made my heart soften. She really was sweet to him.
"Thank you very much," she said gently.
Fred let out a breath and, after a beat, added, "You look beautiful tonight."
He was right. Tanya had transformed. Her usual jeans and tees were replaced with a deep navy gown that hugged her shape in all the right ways. Her makeup was light but flattering, and the sapphire earrings sparkled against her skin.
"Thank you," she replied, cheeks pink.
Tanya's father, a tall, lean man with a receding hairline and calm brown eyes, entered holding a tray of drinks alongside Mrs. Teena.
"Jonas," he introduced himself, shaking hands all around.
We toasted to Tanya's health and happiness, everyone except Twen, who got orange juice instead. The conversations flowed easily. Mr. Jonas turned out to be surprisingly interested in Twen and me, often glancing over as we talked. Later, he and Fred clicked over music, both clearly passionate about it.
Meanwhile, I helped Teena and Tanya with setting up the dinner table. Twen was out on the balcony with Robbie, who stood with his hands in his pockets, listening as Twen excitedly chattered. I was relieved to see them like that. Slowly, they were getting there, one quiet moment at a time.
Eventually, I insisted that Tanya take a break while her parents and I finished up.
As Mrs. Teena left the kitchen to set the table, Mr. Jonas lingered. He turned to me, his voice calm but deliberate.
"Tanya told me you're an Omega," he said. "Like her. Is that true?"
The air around us shifted slightly.