When Sid asks, "Shawney, will you be going on the road again, or will you be settling down-home with all the new businesses you recently acquired?"
"Sid, I only came because I get word that Uncle wasn't well, but Uncle Thomas will be managing things here so I will be leaving soon."
"Shawney, look we have made so many mistakes and we are very sorry," Torren observed how she raised her head and look at their faces.
"Shawney, Curtis, and I were talking and we want you to stay, you don't have to leave because of us any longer.
We don't deserve the gifts you have given to us, but we are happy for the opportunity and we promise we won't let you down."
'What gifts has she given to them, has she acquired more business?' Train reasoned in his heart and from whom?
Hearing Sid saying, "Now with your help in two years, we will have our own business."
Train look at them so did Torren, 'Dad was so right, he understands her so much, he suspected she will do something to compensate and redeem what she did in her anger.'
When she said, "I just did what dad would have wanted me to do, Sid."
"Shawney, I know you feel dad wanted you to do this? But we were a real disappointment to him and to you.
It was only when we returned from Aunty Paula, we realized what a failure we were. But from now on things are going to change."
Torren glance at her but she just glares at them, wondering, 'What was going through her mind?'
Then she bends her head once more, reaching his hand under the table taking her hand. Seeing the disappointment on her face, feeling her pain, 'How could they forget her birthday?'
When Gretta said, "Mummy foodie,' she continues to feed her, but Torren know she was so disappointed.
When Shantel, Julien, and Aunty Joan came, Shawney was going to get up to serve them, when Meg and Linsey said, "Shawney, you feed the child and we will serve them."
Seeing the shock in her face hearing her whispering, "I wonder what they are up to?"
Watching as she slowly turns, 'Oh Lord, have they remembers it's my birthday, that will feel so good, at least I will feel they haven't completely forgotten about me?'
After they had served the three of them and they took a seat at the table, Torren notices the receptionist came to Sid and whispers something to him, when he nodded she left.
Whispering a silent prayer in his heart, 'Oh Lord, I just want to make her happy, so please I know if they remember it's her birthday, she will be the happiest, so just remind them please.'
She seems to be lost when Gretta breaks her concentration. observing her Aunt sits opposite her and keeps glaring at her.
Torren thought, 'She still seems angry with Shawney but she came. That is what family does, they become angry with each other, then they mend whatever problem.
I am hoping they start respecting her and mend their disagreement.' When Gretta said, "Mummy ice cream."
"You want Ice cream, honey?"
Torren notices when she turns, she seems anxious but then Gretta said, "Mummy ice cream."
"Not now honey, you have to eat your food first, then we will get cake and Ice cream."
"Thanks mummy, my gift."
"You bought ice cream for me?'
"Yep, my gift and cake," looking at Torren, 'This can't be, he doesn't know it's my birthday.'
At that moment becoming more curious to see what was going on. Shawney ask Torren, "Torren, is that true?"
"Yes, she wanted to get you cake and ice-cream, let me check it must be somewhere in the kitchen."
Shawney hugs her, "Thank you, honey," thinking, 'I know Torren and the children love cake and ice cream.
When Torren gets up Train said, "You sit son I will check." Just then the children began clapping and making noise.
All at the table turn to see what they were clapping about, but the two cake with candles was on top of the table and a bucket of ice cream. Hearing Gretta clapping, "My gift mummy you like it?"
"Oh honey I love it," then the receptionist came with another cake seeing it was a black forest. "What is going on?"
Linsey stood up saying, "Shawney, for all the years you always made our birthday special, I know it is not much but we remember it is your birthday, now come on let us cut your cake?"
Torren held her hand, "Why didn't you tell me it's your birthday?"
But the way she was crying he could not understand a word she was saying. Hugging her, "This is supposed to be a happy occasion."
Leading her to the table, "Now do you need help to cut the cake?"
"Me mummy, me?" Gretta shouts clapping her hand. Torren put a chair for Gretta at the side of Shawney.
When Uncle Thomas said, "Shawney tell me those are happy tears that are flowing."
Torren hugs her wiping the tears, "Okay, take some deep breaths and stop that crying."
Seeing she walk to Uncle Thomas first and hugs him saying, "Thanks for remembering," then she hugged each of them. Her in-laws, and nephews and niece.
When dad opens his arms she went straight into it. "God bless you, my child."
When she stands once more in front of the cake, before cutting the cake she said, "Seeing this is the first time you all are giving me a gift that does not include you, Uncle Thomas, I have something to tell you all."
"Shawney, there is no need for that," Curtis responds.
"I know Curtis, but next week I will be returning to San Francisco and since you all are here I might as well tell you now."
Torren looks at her in a questionable way and so did her family.
When Meg said, "Shawney we don't want you to be angry?"