Chapter 144 Chapter 144 - The First Anniversary
Chapter 144 Chapter 144 - The First Anniversary
Pedro Hernandez
December 8, 2025
I don't think I've ever been as upset as I am now. Yesterday, I was calm, certain that everything was ready for my daughter's birthday. The first birthday we'll spend together. I don't think I'm ready; I'm anxious.
I know the girls are ready, and I'm holding them both back. Adie chose the theme this year. She said she gave Abby two options, and she chose "Sea World."
"Which tie should I wear? The blue one with pink polka dots or the black one with red polka dots?" I ask, both bow ties in my hands.
Adie and Abby are on the couch, their eyes focused on me. Her mouth is slightly open, her brow furrowed in confusion.
"But why do you want to wear a tie? You don't even wear a tie, honey," Adie replies, her head tilted to the right.
"It's an important occasion." “I apologize,” I say, looking at her. I almost feel offended that she acts so casually. “Can you help me, please?”
Abby laughs at my desperation. I’m sure she finds it amusing.
“I don’t think red polka dots go with the blue suit,” Adie replies calmly.
Now I know I shouldn’t wear the black tie. I give her a satisfied smile.
“Thank you,” I reply, before leaving the black tie on the sofa and putting on the blue tie with pink polka dots. “Now can we go?”
Adie narrows her eyes, a small smile on her face.
“Let’s go. We’re late,” she says, standing up.
Abby follows her mother toward the front door. Adie decided we would match the decor. Her dress is light blue, almost the same color as my suit. I’d say it’s a shade lighter than it. Abby is wearing a pink dress with a hint of blue blending into it at the bottom. I don't think I've ever seen them look so beautiful.
We get in the car, and I quickly start the ignition. The security guards are still following us, even after everything. I'm not going to get rid of them. Amanda is still out there, Leonard is in prison, serving two life sentences, but the uncertainty that he might stay in prison always haunts me. I've been sleeping well knowing he's in a maximum-security prison, but I think I've watched so many documentaries that I'm getting paranoid. I'm afraid he'll escape and come back with a vengeance.
But today, my only concern is throwing my daughter the biggest birthday party she's ever had. Adie and I had a little argument last week about the party budget. I didn't even want her to see it, but Iris sent the things along with other paperwork I brought home. It's almost impossible to keep this from Adrielle. I warned Iris to be more careful or I'll have to find another secretary soon. But despite everything, Adie and I reached a consensus after a long conversation about it. In the end, we're doing it together.
Her hand is intertwined with mine as I drive toward the party room. I can see the grand decorations. We decided to put inflatable whale and turtle figures at the entrance. There's even that ocean princess, Ariel.
"Wow…" Abby looks as impressed as her tone when I see her in the center mirror.
Her mouth is slightly open and her eyes are wide. I park the car in front of the party room, with the valets quickly walking to open the doors. One of the things I made clear I wouldn't compromise when Adie and I discussed our daughter's birthday party was the space we would hold it in. I made it clear I wanted privacy so our daughter and we could enjoy the day as a family, just like the other guests. There are security guards everywhere to prevent gatecrashers from ruining the day.
Adie gets out, accompanied by Abby. I get out of the car so the valet can take it. I accompany them both to the entrance, which is decorated in shades of blue and pink, with coral and bright fairy lights. Even the floor has bright lights that seem to reflect the ocean. It's like being teleported to the underwater world.
In the room where we'll actually be—where the party is taking place—we have stars, coral reefs, and inflatable whales almost the size of our balcony. There are also turtles in some corners. The toys we ordered for the kids to have fun are from a large company in New York. They took three days to deliver. It was a requirement, of course.
Above our heads, there's a ceiling with sea animals flashing on a screen. It's almost as if we're at the bottom of the ocean. Abby is watching everything, with the same sparkle in her eyes as her mother. His attention is focused on the enormous humpback whale opening and closing its mechanical mouth.
"Wow… you've won the best party ever!" Archie's voice is excited as I watch him bound toward us.
He's also wearing a black tuxedo and a crown on his head. The other children here are wearing them too. They all got one at the front desk. Abby's is a little different, with blue rhinestones, while the children's are colorful.
"I always thought of Elle as an exaggerated person, but you, Hernandez, can surpass her," Jackson says, as he walks behind his son.
"Jackie, behave yourself," Adrian scolds him, giving him a gentle shove. "The decorations are perfect."
"See? I told you they'd like it. Abby loved it," I tell Adie with a smile that might be bigger than my own face.
Even with my slight jab, she still cracks a smile.
"I want to go on the slide," Abby says, looking at Adie and me.
It's not exactly like she's asking for permission, but I wouldn't deny her anything.
"Go." Adie answers softly. "We'll cut the cake later, so don't wrinkle your dress too much."
Abby nods, and for a moment, I think she's going to run toward Archie, but she just looks at me. Her blue eyes, too, search for my answer.
"Go. We'll be right here," I promise, with a wink.
She smiles and runs after her cousin. My child mingles with the classmates Adie invited. They're all here, celebrating with her. Her parents are sitting at a few round tables. I can see the flashes of the photographer we hired for the party right next to the pile of gifts Abby received. I see Brooks leave a large box next to the pile of gifts. I didn't expect to see her here when we invited her; I thought she'd be on duty.
"Isn't that the detective?" Adrian asks, his eyes focused in the same direction as mine.
"Yes," Adie answers calmly as Brooks walks toward us. "We owe her a lot. I think she was the first police officer I felt was truly committed to protecting people."
I wrap my left arm around her waist before kissing her cheek. I know Adie hasn't forgotten everything we've been through, but it's going to take more time than we can manage. I said I wanted to make new memories, and we're doing just that. The party isn't just for Abby; it's for all of us to forget what we've been through. To leave it all behind.
My family is in a corner, sitting at the table with smiles. Fernando is here too. We haven't talked about everything yet, and I don't know if I want to. In fact, I'm not ready. I still have therapy sessions every week, as does my daughter. Adie and I have moved to a different level now: we're in couples therapy with Linda. It's not like we have problems; we're just trying to work through it so we can be better together.
Brooks is accompanied by a woman with curly brown hair, wearing dresses in more neutral tones. Judging by the ring on her hand, I dare say she's married.
"Brooks, I'm so glad you came," Adie greets her, her tone friendly.
"Please call me Danielle," she says, her tone gentle. "This is Kourtney, my wife."
"It's a pleasure. Thank you for the invitation," the woman with curly brown hair replies.
"Thank you for coming," I reply, my tone gentle.
"I couldn't miss this. She's so happy today. And I'm glad you're both okay," Brooks says, with an honest smile.
"That's thanks to you," Adie replies calmly. "Thank you for helping."
Brooks lowers his head and gives a small smile. His eyes turn to Adie and me.
"When a woman is the victim of an abusive partner, it's every woman's duty to defend her," she replies, her eyes focused on Adie. "My mission is to make the world a better place for everyone, especially women."
"It's everyone's mission," I affirm, certain that this fight isn't just hers.