The Bound Between Us

Chapter 948

Monica waved her hand with a grin. "Alright, alright, don't rush me! When the time comes, you'll be the first to get an invite, promise."

Anastasia knew, from the way Monica said it, that things were pretty much set between her and Jason.

"I'll be waiting for your wedding then," Anastasia laughed. "By the way, where's Jason? He's usually never late."

"He had something to take care of. He'll head straight to the birthday party in a bit," Monica replied, then leaned down to gently pinch Pattie's cheek. "Kids really do have the softest skin-like they're made of clouds. Just wait seven or eight years, Pattie, you'll have every boy in school falling for you."

Teenage girls could be real stunners.

Pattie blushed, making a little gesture with her hands: Godmom, where's my birthday present?

"You little money grubber," Monica laughed, and with a dramatic flourish, pulled a gift box from behind her back. "Happy birthday, Pattie! I hope you're always happy, more and more beautiful every year, and when you grow up, you'll find your own prince charming."

Monica never skimped on gifts. She gave Pattie a pair of amethyst bracelets worth about twenty grand.

Pattie opened the box and her eyes went wide with delight at the sparkling bracelets. "Thank you, Godmom! I love them!"

Anastasia shook her head, half amused. "Monica, isn't that a bit much? Pattie's still a kid."

"Come on, it's Pattie's first big birthday party! As her godmother, I have to set the bar high." Monica grinned. “Besides, with the Salstrom family's kind of money, this is barely a drop in the bucket. Don't go all formal with me."

Pattie's dress was a pastel green princess gown, custom made, and worth a small fortune.

Anastasia glanced at her beaming daughter and smiled. "Well, since you've already given it, I guess I can't say much. But don't make it a habit!"

bowl of soft-boiled eggs. "Birthday girl has

eggs were

her egg, and with that, they all headed out for

was the host, after all,

a birthday for Pattie—it was about officially welcoming her into the

wasn't really Herman's daughter,

and Katelyn had arrived early. Joseph came too, bringing Daria-it was his first

didn't count-this was family

along because Anastasia was always kind to her, and Flynn and Herman never let grown-up grudges get in the way of

Daria

the others had fully accepted Joseph and Daria as

what worried Herman most

since the scandal broke, and he couldn't guarantee people wouldn't

Anastasia and Pattie had arrived, he hurried outside to meet

matter what happened, he'd stand

saw Herman in a deep blue suit, walking toward her with that calm, steady

by it, and her heart felt warm

a playful

"Careful, Herman! Looking that good in a suit, you're going

e everyone to t

off formal wear like he was born for

compliment," he replied with a grin. He naturally took Anastasia's hand, then leaned down to pat Pattie's head. "Happy

Pattie happy birthday that