Admiring how beautifully the flowers were arrayed around the house. Torren stopped to enjoy the beauty for a second.
It was at that moment when he caught a glimpse of Sid. Feeling happy, knowing in his heart that he desperately wanted to extend the invitation himself.
Seizing the opportunity, he immediately asked his Dad to stop, "Dad, stop the car; it seems Shawney's eldest brother is living here?"
Hearing his words, Train stopped the car, reversed, and stopped at the entrance; he then honked the horn.
Seeing Joyce come out first, then Sid followed. Torren exited the car with the two children. Asking his Dad, "Dad, you coming?"
"You go ahead; I will be right back. I am going to see where that road leads to, and tomorrow we could explore."
"Okay, be careful." Watching him turn around and drive away.
Joyce, seeing it was Torren and his children, called out to Maria, "We have a guest."
Sid called Curtis, Maria and CJ.
He then invited Torren and the children to come and sit down. Torren knew time was running out, so he responded, "Sorry, I cannot stay, but I met Meg earlier at the store. I extended a dinner invitation to all the family members. I wasn't sure I would see you all, but please accept my invitation and send word to Shantel and Julien for this evening, for five, please."
"Torren, I don't want to pry, but where are you staying?" Sid asks.
"We rented two rooms at Shawney's place."
Becoming a bit uncomfortable, Sid hesitated for a bit before saying, "Look, Torren, I don't think Shawney will agree to this dinner at her place."
Torren smiled and said politely, "Hello, you are my guest. This has nothing to do with Shawney, and as you can see, my children will like the company; we are here just for a week. I have to return to the factory."
Seeing the puzzled look on his face, just then his Dad returned; Torren didn't want to delay another minute before they changed their mind. Saying as he was about to leave, "Kindly extend my invitation to Curtis, please, and bring the children early so they can play on the slides. Oh, Sid, don't forget, it's for five o'clock."
With that said, Torren called the children and went to the car. As Dad waved to them, he then drove off.
Torren silently calculated the number of family members and the lawyer. Amounting to twenty. In less than five minutes, we were at Shawney resort.
When Dad parked the car, Torren took the keys. "Dad, you take the children in, and I will bring in the bags after I return the keys."
Leaving the trunk open, he went and returned the keys, asking the receptionist to call and order dinner for twenty and inform them, "I will be needing that for five-fifteen, if possible. And can you order two cheesecakes instead of one, please? I would also like to request some chairs and tables for adults and one for children. And my dear, please don't forget the ice cream?"
Sherry noticed the calmness. 'He looks happy and much more reasonable now, thank God.' Not wanting to have another misunderstanding again. She immediately got on with the task and did as he asked. After placing the orders, she then called Ansil to arrange the chairs and table in a secluded area, so they won't disturb the other guests.
Torren took the few things they bought for the children into Dad's room, and the things for Shawney into his room.
Entering the room, thinking, 'She must have returned already, but she was nowhere to be seen. Resting the gift boxes on top of the bed, then went and bathed.
Torren laid out his clothes on top of the bed, then returned to his Dad's room to help with the dressing of the children.
Dressing them in pantsuits and sandals so they could play. "Now look how pretty my baby girl is."
"Me, pretty daddy?"
"Yes, honey, you are the prettiest little girl I know, and you, my son, I love you very much." Hugging them, Torren said lovingly, "Daddy want you to be good for Papa."
Looking at his dad, Torren said, "Dad, I am going to get dressed." Kissing the children, then leaving, hoping Shawney had returned to the room.
Entering the room, seeing how he had the gifts, it was shifted aside, "Honey, are you in the washroom?"
"Yes, I am."
"Well, I don't know if you made any plans for the evening, but I would like you to have dinner with me."
"Can we do that another day? I want to go to bed early this evening. My week was so hectic, and I am very tired."
"But love, I am here just for a few days, and I want to see how Chicago looks at night, just as you wanted to see San Francisco.
Remember when you came to my home, you took me out for a Valentine's dinner, well, it is not Valentine's Day today. But I want to take you out for a nice romantic dinner this evening"
"And what about the children?"
"I am taking them with us. I already dressed them; they are waiting for you with Dad downstairs."
"You sound very romantic."
"I am feeling romantic, so come on and open these gifts I bought for you. When I saw them, I could not resist."
"Okay, I will in just a moment," drying her face, thinking, 'He is right; I keep moping about the entire day, so what if no one remembers it's my birthday?
It still has a few more hours, and who knows what could happen? Lord, I trust You will make a miracle happen. I might have to do like David and encourage myself in the Lord. I now understand how he felt all alone.'
"But you, my daughter, are not alone; didn't I say I will never leave you nor forsake you, and I give you someone who loves you very much."
"Yeah, Lord, You are right, but I miss Dad and Uncle so much; most of the time it was only those two who remembered."
Hearing no voice again, just taking some deep breaths, Shawney dried her face and then stepped out.