Meadow's birthday was finally upon us and Pat and I planned a small birthday party for her. We spoke often that week, making the arrangements for it.
We invited a few friends and all our co-workers - except Julia, of course. I felt a little guilty about that. I actually liked Julia, and we had sort of become friends at work, but I doubt she'd want to come anyway, and even if she did I knew I just couldn't deal with having her and Pat together in this house. Especially not on Meadow's birthday!
On the day of the party, everyone started arriving about the same time and Pat took a picture of everyone in the family room. My friend Jeck was there, he's on the left; next to him is me and Gracie Anciotti. The blond lady in the back is Pat and I's co-worker Denver Goldman, then it's Lady LaLa (I was thrilled that a star like her accepted my invitation!), and on the far right was our boss Matthew Hamming.
'Er, is Matthew thinking what I think he's thinking?', I thought to herself as I watched him flirt with Denver. A little while later I discovered that yes, indeed he was. Apparently he and Denver were having an affair. Matthew was a real ladies man and changed who he was dating on a frequent basis. I shook my head. 'I bet his girlfriend won't be his girlfriend for much longer', I thought. Later, I found out that I was correct.
Our co-worker Jameel also came, and Jake was there too; he played a little bass for everyone, but he wasn't able to stay long. I thought that was probably for the best. It was a little uncomfortable for me to have both him and Pat here at the same time. Yikes! Talk about awkward!
By time we served the cake, almost everyone had left the party too. So Pat and I served the cake to our little Meadow. Where had the time gone?! Our little girl was growing up.
Watching Pat and Meadow together just about made my heart burst. 'What a lucky little girl Meadow was, to get her father's beautiful green eyes, I sighed happily. I love them both so much!
After Meadow's birthday my busy life continued. Meadow was a happy baby so that made my life a lot easier. Caring for her was a joy. I was also becoming quite popular as an actress and was famous around town, often getting stopped with requests for pictures or autographs. It could get a bit disruptive but I didn't really mind too much; it was all part of the job, as far as I was concerned.
Pat continued to come over several times a week to be with Meadow and I, but I longed for us to be a real family and to be together all the time.
When Pat couldn't arrange to be with us, I continued to date Jake whenever he called. I also had him over for dinner at least once a week, and sometimes he would play his dreamy music for me. He was an excellent musician and just a really wonderful man.
He was great with Meadow and I could tell he really loved kids. And he was always doing sweet, thoughtful things for me, like helping around the house or bringing me flowers. He was a romantic soul after my own heart.
