"Sweetheart, your friends didn't give you those gifts to just carry it around in your bag, they give you it for special occasions like tonight."
Seeing the ruby set he selected, 'Oh dear God, it looks magnificent with this dress, he is right.
And maybe tonight could be the beginning of new memories.' Thank you, Father, did you know he was getting me this dress?'
Standing next to her in front of the mirror when she turns and buckles her hands around his neck, wanting to kiss her, but it will smudge her lipstick and that will delay us.
If only she know how very intoxicating she look. Dipping his head to touch hers lip, whispering to her, "I could cancel the dinner if you want, once more you are seducing me."
Wanting her so much, but that will have to wait, hearing her chuckle, "Are you reading my mind Shawney?"
"No, I can see it in your eyes."
"Okay, then before I really change my mind and my two precious children get disappointed all dress and ready to go, let us go but my love you have completely capture my heart."
As we step out the door knowing her family will be waiting, Torren turn to lock the door, hearing her saying, "What are they doing here? They only look for me when they want something."
"You said something honey," turning around, "What did you say? Oh dear God your family is here to visit?
Honey, can you recall the valentine's dinner when you walk down the stairs, and my family was so dumbstruck, now look at your family?"
"Torren, I am the one that is dumbstruck."
"I know sweetheart, they seem happy to see you, and you look amazing."
"Is this your plan?"
"No my love, but seeing they are here it seems I have to squash my plan and we have to entertain them."
Reaching the last step Sid approaches her, 'Oh boy, yesterday I was contagious and today he is hugging me, what are they up to, have they remember it's my birthday?'
"Shawney, you look so beautiful, tell me what I am missing, you seem to be glowing." Torren smile 'knowing she was glowing because she is pregnant.'
"Thanks, Sid, you all shock me, and Uncle Thomas, I didn't expect to see you, did we have some unfinished business?"
When Uncle Thomas hugs her saying, "No my child, I just wanted to drop this off before you leave the village, but I didn't expect your brothers and sisters to be here?
Maybe they are thinking just like me, knowing you come quietly, and leave without telling anyone."
Torren observed how Meg hug her, then Linsey and Curtis. Shawney in laws just stood aside with their children but not one said happy birthday.
Shawney, takes the gift bag from Uncle Thomas, thinking, 'Did Uncle Thomas remember its my birthday?'
Looking around to see if they had any gift, but then they have never given me a gift before.
Hating herself for feeling hurt, knowing they never remember her birthday, so why should she expect anything from them?'
Hearing Uncle Thomas saying, "Come on and open it, why do women take so long to open their gift?"
Torren notices how she keeps looking at them, then she focuses on the gift. Shawney thought, 'This can't be?
Torren, doesn't know it's my birthday, and he doesn't know Uncle Thomas either, and from what I observe the family hasn't remembered.'
Seeing the beautiful golden hairbrush, "Oh Uncle Thomas, this is beautiful," seeing the tears, "I have only seen brushes like this in fairy tale movies, thank you so much, I love it and tell Aunty I say thanks."
"But Shawney, I bought that for you?"
"I know, just like all my other gifts."
"Okay, so you caught me, now tell me what is this I hear?"
But then Torren shakes his hand, "It is good to meet you, Sir."
When Shawney asks, "And what have you heard, Uncle Thomas?"
Shawney notices him look at her, "Oh boy, what was I going to say, my dear girl, it seems that I am overworked. And this has been happening regularly, I keep forgetting as soon as I get distracted."
When dad enters seeing everyone, "My child, you look beautiful, and I see your family comes to visit, let me see what the kitchen has prepared." Shawney heard Torren ask Uncle Thomas to remain.
Seeing as we walk out by the pool it had a round table set for children and a long table with chairs and a beautiful arrangement on it.
Right at the side, it had another table and it continued the same way, Torren thought, 'This is better than I expected, she won't detect it was my plan, but further down it had a bun fire going.
"Shawney, here looks quiet and nice and after dinner, we will take a stroll, what do you think?"
As dad came he said, "Okay, we are fortunate to get a few nice dishes and it smells delicious son."
Going to him, "Thanks dad, for your quick thinking, let me help you."
"You are welcome, and we cannot have your family visiting and send them away. Have they said why they came?"
"I don't know dad, and I don't think I want to know."
"Well, they know that you like to go on the road."
"Yes, you are right," hearing when she calls out to them to take a seat.
When Torren came, "What help you need?"
When dad said, "Okay, you two serve food and I will serve the drinks," seeing him hurry to assist as her family just sit there as always. Thank God for dad's quick thinking.' Shawney thought.
'As she dish out for the children first, Torren takes it to them that was sitting at the round table, and then the adults occupy one of the long tables.
Completing the task of dishing out, Shawney dish out for Torren, Dad, and herself.'
Sitting at the table when Gretta came to her, "Mummy foodie." Bending her head, Shawney knew all eyes were on her, just like how his family was looking at her that day.
Feeding Gretta and eat as though she heard nothing and she said nothing.