I said.
Vivian smiled.
“So everybody keeps reminding me.”
Fifteen minutes later, we brought out the cake.
Sophie attacked it like she’d been personally offended by frosting.
Everyone laughed.
Even Lauren relaxed.
For a little while.
Then we opened gifts.
Books.
Blocks.
Clothes.
A stuffed rabbit.
A wooden activity cube.
Paige gave Sophie a tiny silver bracelet with her birthstone.
Finally, Vivian reached for her bag.
“Mine is practical.”
Lauren smiled.
“That sounds ominous.”
People laughed.
Vivian pulled out a small white linen apron.
Across the front, embroidered in pale
