Karissa and Will watched as the twins took off after Kaylee, Joshan and several other children. They were at Adventures Emporium where Kaylee was having a birthday party at the beach. Inland from the shore was a park with picnic tables and benches and a large playground.
One of the clusters of picnic tables and benches were decorated with streamers and balloons. A large sign that read Happy 6th Birthday Kaylee was strung above the tables. Nearby hotdogs and hamburgers were being barbequed and the tables were laden with all the accoutrements that went with the food. There were also snacks and drinks. On another table were an array of birthday gifts and not far away, hanging from the branch of a tree was a rather large piņata.
Half of the children were playing on the playground, many watchful parents nearby, and many others were playing at the water's edge, building sandcastles or wading into the water.
The twins, each holding a hand of Kaylee's followed her to the shoreline. They giggled as their toes hit the water. Soon they were wading in. Joshan wasn't far behind.
"Josh really has made a lot of friends here," Amalie said as she stood beside her daughter.
Karissa smiled. "He certainly has . . ."
They watched as Ryan Bentara was wading into the water after them instigating a water fight. All the kids laughed and splashed back as hard as they could.
Peter Joshua and his wife Lara arrived with their daughter Rachel, followed by River Sage, her brother Brent and Tyran. Summer greeted everyone with her bright, sunny smile.
"Rachel, it's good to see you," Summer said, kneeling in front of the little blond girl.
"Thank you," she said. "I brought Kaylee a present!" She smiled as she held up a rather large gift bag.
Summer smiled. "The gift table is right over there. Kaylee's already in the water."
"Can I go too?" she asked, looking up at her parents.
"Sure, honey, have a good time," her daddy said.
Rachel's eyes lit up as she took off her clothes to reveal a bathing suit. Before they could say another word to her, she was off running toward her friend. Lara bent and picked up her daughter's clothes and laughed.
"Can't tell she was excited, can you?" Lara said.
Summer smiled. "Kids enthusiasm is the best thing about being a parent," she said. "It always keeps me happy! And River, I'm glad you could make it; you too, Brent."
"I wasn't sure I'd be able to," Brent replied. "But I'm glad I could."
"Me too," River replied. "Anyway, I'll go put the gift on the table then join the kids . . ."
"Have at it," Brent replied.
River instantly took off, pausing long enough to ask Tyran about Danayal. No sooner had she put the gift on the table when she was solicited by a small group of kids to play tag. Immediately, she took off running. Brent laughed softly as he watched her.
"She's got a real gift with kids," Summer said.
Brent nodded. "Yes, she does . . . She wouldn't have missed the party for the world."
"That's good to hear. Help yourself to any of the snacks."
As he walked away, she turned back to Karissa and Will. Karissa was standing up against him, her back to his chest. His arms were wrapped lovingly around her waist.
"Look!" Karissa laughed, as she saw Maya jump out of her grandfather's hands and into the water, laughing gaily.
"I can't believe they can swim . . . I mean, they haven't had a single lesson!" Will said, his brown eyes watching in loving amazement.
"Well, some things are just inborn . . ." Karissa replied softly.
Immediately he held her closer, knowing intimately, that her mind had turned to her dubious beginnings.
"And they're all the more special for it . . ." he replied. "Special just like their mother . . ."
She smiled and turned her head enough to kiss him.
"Food's cooked!" came the announcement from the barbecue chief.
It wasn't long before all the kids were settled with food and eating. Even the adults seemed hungry after watching all the playing.
"How old Kaylee?" Luc asked as he sat beside her. He looked into her eyes and smiled.
"I'm turning 6 years old today," she said, pointing to the banner. "See, it says Happy 6th Birthday Kaylee!" Her smiled never left her face. "Mom, when do we get to break open the piņata?"
"After everyone eats," Summer laughed.
"Okay," she replied. "Everyone eat fast."
With that, several kids and adults chuckled at her excitement.
"So what are you doing for the twins' birthday?" Summer asked Karissa and Will.
"It's going to be a small party in the backyard, though I have to say, coming here was a wonderful idea," Karissa said.
"Maybe we should think about this for next year?" Will offered.
"I'd say it has possibilities . . ." Karissa smiled.
Suddenly another person arrived carrying another large gift bag. The woman looked exactly like Karissa. She immediately put the present on the table and went to Kaylee.
"Sorry I'm late, kiddo. Had to take care of a few last minute things at work," Shara said.
"Is that why you're in your uniform?" Kaylee asked admiring the black and gold of it.
Shara smiled. "Yep, If I'd gone home to change I might have missed the whole party and I wasn't about to do that!"
"I like you in your uniform," Kaylee. "It looks neat!"
Shara smiled. "Maybe you'll go into Starfleet when you get older."
Kaylee's eyes shined and Summer shook her head with a smile.
"All she talks about is space and other planets . . . That might end up being a no-brainer," Summer replied.
Shara smiled.
"There's still food left if you're hungry," Karissa said.
"Thanks!"
It wasn't long before everyone was done and the kids were taking turns trying to break open the piņata. It was carefully monitored so no unexpected accidents happened. Finally, it was Bethany, a half-Klingon teen that finally broke it open. The kids squealed with delight as a shower of candy hit the grass.
A few other games were then played and eventually Kaylee got to blow out the candles on her birthday cake.
"You're officially 6 years old now, kid," Summer said with a smile as she hugged her daughter.
"Yay!" Kaylee replied; clapping and jumping up and down in place.
"I'll help serve," River offered.
Finally, Kaylee got to open her gifts. She had everything from dolls, to books and even a holo-adventure. She thanked each and everyone for her gifts . . but by the time she was done, the twins, though not asleep were resting comfortably in Karissa and William's arms.
"Sorry, we'd stay later, but I think we should get these two home," Karissa smiled.
Summer tenderly touched Luc's face. "I completely understand . . . I'll see you for his and Maya's birthday party if not sooner."
"Definitely," Karissa replied brightly.
After another hour of play, the party began to break up. Even the holo-program sky was showing a brilliant sunset. Eventually, the only people left were Kaylee and Summer. As she embraced her daughter, she gazed into her eyes.
"So what did you think of your party?" she asked.
"I LOVED IT!" Kaylee replied enthusiastically. "I can't wait to turn seven!"
Summer laughed.
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