Chapter 61: Going back to normal

After a while, the breeze started to pick up, making the yard a bit chilly. Diana shifted in her seat, rubbing her arms. Her energy levels were still low because her body was busy recovering, and the cooler air meant it was time to go back inside.

"I am getting tired," she whispered. "Alright, team, break it up," Clancy announced cheerfully, ending the meeting. He stood up and brushed the grass off his jeans.

Then with careful, steady movements, Clancy stepped behind Diana ’s wheelchair. He unlocked the brakes. "Hold on tight," he said with a smile. Diana grinned, holding the armrests as Clancy wheeled her back inside across the smooth walkway.

The boys trailed right behind him like guards, David hiding the secret photo under his shirt, and Daniel skipping along. As they reached the door, Selen stood up to let them in, looking at them with a curious, playful expression.

Clancy said goodbye to the kids and was headed out when he met Newton at the door. Their relationship was still awkward because they obviously disliked each other, but no one was letting that stop them from showing up for Selen and the kids.

As Clancy got in his car and headed to work, he thought about giving Selen a gift. "What would I give her that she would not reject but wholeheartedly accept" he asked himself as he pulled out of her driveway and out of the compound.

"Selen," Newton called out as he came into the house. "Hey!" Selen said excitedly. "Hey, how are you doing?" He asked her. This time, the question was not overwhelming to her. In fact, ever since Diana came back home. Whenever Newton asked her that question, she looked forward to telling him how happy she was.

Their bond was slowly growing and it was obvious to anyone who looked hard enough. Even Clancy. But he saw it from a point of protectiveness and jealousy.

The truth was that Newton and Selen’s friendship was growing tighter with each conversation they had. He kept to his word about not pressuring her, but he did stop showing her his affection.

He believed that if things were to grow into something more in the future, then it had to be on a foundation of friendship. And he was really killing it in the friendship role.

"What do you want for your birthday this weekend?" He asked her after managing to escape from the kids who were enjoying their game of scrabble with him.

"Oh my, how did you know?" Selen asked in surprise. "Why wouldn’t I know or remember your birthday, Selen? Now tell me, what do you want? Anything at all" he asked.

It was a blank offer, and she knew that he would do anything to get whatever she mentioned. "I really just want to spend time with people I love and people that love me. I actually have no plans for celebrating" she said.

"Diana is recovering well, I have my children and good friends, I am happy with just being able to witness and experience it all" she added.

"But you have overcome so much in the past year, you deserve to celebrate yourself, Selen" Newton said. Selen seemed adamant on not having a celebration and he was going to respect her wishes. It was about her and what she wanted after all.

As Newton left her home, he made a call to his contacts in the art worlds and real estate world. If she was not going to tell him what she wanted, he would give her what he thought was the perfect gift.

*** the weekend of Selen’s birthday***

The front door of Selen’s house swung open, and JK walked in. He was balancing a box that definitely had cake in it. "JK, you did not have to. I told you that I was not hosting a party" she said as she helped him carry the bottle of Champagne in his other hand.

"I know that and I respect your absurd request. But that does not mean that I will not get you a cake and a bottle of champagne" he said to her as he set the box on the kitchen table.

Shortly after, Newton arrived as well, carrying a large manila envelope. The triplets were sitting on the rug, intensely trading video game cards and laughing loudly.

Newton stopped short when he saw JK already hanging out, completely at home. He wanted to give the gift to Selen in private.

"Uncle Newton!" The kids called to him, none of them leaving their game. "What do you have there?" Daniel asked him inquisitively. They finally moved away from their game.

"Uhh," Newton stalled as he looked at Selen and the kids. They were not going to back down.

"Well, I was going to give you either way. So, here you go. Happy birthday, Selen" He said and handed the envelope to Selen.

"Open it, mummy," Diana said, still sitting at her previous spot. Selen walked over to her, so she would not feel left out for being at a distance.

Selen slid the contents out. It was not a birthday card. It was an official document and a set of shiny brass keys. Selen began to feel emotional as she read the content of the document.

"It’s the keys to the art studio on 4th Street," Newton explained casually. "The top-floor, the one with the massive skylights you said you liked on that day you saw it put up for sale. I got it for you. Now you finally have a place to host your own events, and be open as often as you want.

Selen’s jaw dropped. She looked from the keys to Newton, completely stunned. "Newton, are you serious? This is insane. Thank you so much!" She stepped forward and threw her arms around him in a tight, grateful hug.

The kids ran over to inspect the shiny keys, asking their mom if the new place had an elevator.

At the entrance stood Clancy. He had watched the scene play out, his grip tightening on the framed photo of the kids drawing in his hand.

His eyes darted to the paperwork on the coffee table, then at Newton’s relaxed, confident posture. He watched Selen laugh at something Newton said, her thumb tracing the new keys while his kids high-fived Newton.