Summer's Paradise Party

[BROOKLYN MARIE SAWYER]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, width: 400px; background-color: #464646; padding:20px; border-top: 10px #7D0000 solid; border-bottom: 10px #7D0000 solid;] there‘s a fire starting in my heart ( TAGGED ) open? ( OUTFIT ) CLICK! ( STATUS ) COMPLETE “oliver can you hang this up please?” she helped up the last strand of paper lanterns. It had only been about five weeks since her attack, almost three since she had left the hospital. She still couldn’t left her left arm above her head because her ribs were still healing and she got winded easily. She went to a specialists for breathing therapy and would be seeing a physical therapist a few times to build strength back up in her arm. The tips of both thumbs and ring fingers were wrapped in gauze so the only ring she had on was her engagement ring. She had some special creams while her nails grew back. At least her face was pretty much back to normal. It was still slightly swollen but the bruising was gone and there was only going to be one really noticeable scar up near her eyebrow. The other ones were small and already fading drastically. But Brooklyn wore a maxi dress to get through the early summer weather. Not shorts or anything else. Brooklyn wanted to hide the scars from her attack and surgery. She was embarrassed by them and when people stared it made her all the more stressed. Today wasn’t supposed to be about that. Today was to celebrate summer’s birthday. Brooklyn had offered up her home. The garden was in bloom and it was easy to string lights and lanterns from the back of the house and through the tree lines. They were going to have a barbeque starting around five and have it through the night. She thought it would be nice to celebrate outdoors. The weather was perfect for it. With a small exhale of air she went to one of the tables to rearrange some of the items. She had decorated about half a dozen tables in summer colors and had benches for people to sit on. Everything was in bright, summer colors from the place settings to the flowers to the lanterns and even the cake Brooklyn had whitney custom make. They all needed a bit of color in their lives right now with all the avery attacks. It didn’t take long to put two and two together to know that’s what happened with Brooklyn. It’s why she hardly ever wanted to be alone anymore but she tried not to think about it right now. Guests were already starting to arrive and dominic would be here with summer soon. Brooklyn greeted guests while trying to take it easy though it was hard. Still Brooklyn knew if she didn’t pace herself one welcott or the other-maybe even both-would get on her case. She smiled at oliver. “did you want to greet summer to escort her in? dominic is going to have his hands fully with everleigh.” the backyard looks like this(click!)

table by CALIFORNIA DREAMING of CAUTION 2.0, lyrics by adele

[OLIVER SEBASTIAN WELCOTT]

[/color] Oliver kissed her cheek affectionately, the way a brother kisses his younger sister, and then grabbed a chair and stepped up on it to hang the lanterns. You've done a beautiful job Brooklyn....Summer is going to be thrilled to death.

It meant a lot to Oliver that even though Brooklyn hadn't been well and was deaing with so many of her own issues right now, she still was willing to do this for Summer. But that was just how Brooklyn was. Every time Oliver looked at her he was filled with gratefulness and emotion that she was still with them. Losing her would have destroyed Tristan...much like Oliver had been. The Welcott men owned this woman so much and they loved her more than anyone else ever could.

Oliver smiled and nodded at Brooklyn's question. Yeah I think that would be nice....Give the birthday girl her first birthday kiss. Summer was another one that had been there for them through all of this. Every time they had needed something, they would turn around and Summer would be standing there ready to help. Oliver loved the woman. He hadn't said that to her yet. But he did, really and truly. Oliver helped Brooklyn greet the guests and kept an eye on her to make sure she wasn't trying to move or lift anything and also to make she was sitting whenever she could. Brooklyn had to get a lot of rest still. Though she was healing, her condition was still very serious.

At the appropriate time Oliver went out to the front of the house and was ready and waiting when Summer arrived. He opened the car door and helped her out, closing it behind her. Hello....What's a pretty lady like you doing here? Oliver kissed her cheek, smiling. You look lovely.[/ul][/size]

[SUMMER LILA BANES]

Summer had been invited over to Brooklyn's house along with Dom and Everleigh to have dinner that night, which was a little surprising for her since Brooklyn was still recovering from her attack. She'd tried to talk her out of it for a good thirty minutes, but as she'd already learned, there was no changing Brooklyn's mind once she had it set.

As she waited for Dom and her niece to pick her up, she put the finishing touches on her make up, making sure it wasn't too much for the pink and lace dress that she had on, and then made sure that the brownies were cool enough to cut by then. As she sliced each of the small brown squares, she heard her phone ring. "Be right down." She said to her brother before hanging up and slipping into her heels before carrying the brownies and her phone out the door and down to the car. The entire way over she talked with her brother about his day and his past week, since she'd pretty much locked herself in her apartment to work on lesson plans and homework assignments for the second graders she'd be teaching in three months.

To say that she was excited for this job would be an understatement. She'd wanted to be a teacher since she was in Kindergarten, and even though this wasn't the age group she'd been set on, it was the first step in her journey to becoming a high school teacher. She felt that she needed to mature and gain a bit more experience before going and taking a position in the local high school, since she was still so young and might not have much authority yet.

Once they were at Brooklyn's house, she stepped out of the car and was so focused on not falling face first into the brownies that she didn't even realize that Oliver wasn't supposed to be there. He opened her car door for her and she looked up at him with a smile, grateful for the help. "Hello, kind sir." She said to him with a laugh as he kissed her cheek. "Why thank you, and you don't look to bad yourself." She said to him with a wink. It wasn't until she turned back to Dom that she realized Oliver wasn't originally mentioned in the dinner plan. Her head whipped back to him and she raised an eyebrow. "Wait, is Brooklyn okay?" She asked him, confused as to why he would be there otherwise, or maybe Brooklyn had just needed some help. Or maybe she had invited him to dinner as well, but forgot to mention it to her. She glanced to her brother as well to make sure that they weren't keeping something from her, which she doubted they would, but the thoughts still haunted her mind."Why are you here?" She asked him, confused. Then she realized how stupid she must have sounded, not to mention rude. "I didn't mean for it to come out like that..." She sighed, shaking her head. "I just wasn't expecting you here." She laughed quietly.

Outfit[/b][/url]

[OLIVER SEBASTIAN WELCOTT]

[/color] When he had kissed her cheek and helped her out of the car, he reacted in a playfully proud manner to her compliment on his overall appearance. Straightening his bow tie and sticking his chin out, he looked at her out of the corner of his eye. Well...I do try.Oliver turned and took the pan from her. Allow me. He had started to take a step towards the door when Summer urgently asked after Brooklyn. Oh yes...She's fine. Oliver said cooly, and offered her his arm to escort her into the house. She's out back on the patio I believe. He added with a quick smile.

Well way to welcome me! Oliver pretended to be serious, but let the laughter go a few moments later. I knew what you meant sweetheart. I'm just messing with you. His eyes twinkled as he grinned mischievously. Tristan is due back in tonight...In fact, he should be here any time now. And of course he's going to come right here to see her. So she thought it would be nice for all of us to be together tonight. Oliver told her. So...that's what I'm doing here. He laughed and opened the door of the house for her and held it for Dom and Everleigh.

Nice to see you Dom...Everleigh...how are you sweetheart? Oliver pinched her cheek gently, grinning at the little girl. Look at you, you little rosie-cheeked gem! Oliver adored children and was very good with them. Truth be told, he and Lilian had always wanted a scad of their own. But after she died, He'd found it hard to even look at a child let alone desire having one. Things where changing now though...Oliver as changing. Becoming more of his old self again. Though he'd never be completely the Oliver from before without Lilian.

Oliver set Summer's pan on the kitchen counter and turned to her. Lets go find Brooklyn. He took her hand and walked towards the back patio doors, which had curtains on them, so Summer couldn't see out. I think she's out here. He said loudly as he opened the door, so that Summer and other guests would know they were coming out. He let Summer go through and laughed as he watched her jump a little when everyone yelled Surprise. Oliver came up behind her once more and laces his arms around her waist. Happy Birthday Sweetheart. Oliver kissed her cheek, grinning.[/ul][/size]

[SUMMER LILA BANES]

As soon as he started to laugh, she knew this was planned, or at least he knew she wouldn't know he was there. "You're horrible." She laughed to him, shaking her head when he admitted to pulling her leg. After explaining that his brother would be in that night, which meant she'd finally meet him, she understood that Oliver came to be with everyone. She smiled and nodded her head. "I can't wait to finally meet the famous Welcott brother." She said with a small laugh before she walked inside and looked around for Brooklyn before remembering that she was out back, as Oliver had told her before, so she waited for her brother, her niece, and Oliver to come inside before they would all head out together.

Oliver set her brownie pan on the counter and took her hand in his, so she followed after him, lacing her fingers through his and smiled to him before he opened the door and sent her through. She raised an eyebrow at him quickly before turning back around and seeing Brooklyn's backyard covered in bright and happy colors, the lawn lined with tables, and the sky above lit up with strings of lanterns, but most surprising to her was the fact that it was not just Brooklyn outside, but a large crowd. It didn't hit her when they yelled "surprise", nor did it register when she saw the cake. She only realized what was going on when she felt Oliver's hands on her waist and heard him say "happy birthday" to her. She turned around, his arms still around her, unable to stop from letting out a few laughs from shock. "Was this you or Dom or Brooklyn?" She asked him, unable to really process what was happening. She wasn't good with surprises... it always took her a bit to work through them before she enjoyed them.

[OLIVER SEBASTIAN WELCOTT]

[/color] Oliver asked, pretending to be offended, but smiled. He liked to tease her and make her laugh. It was never malicious teasing or picking. That wasn't in the Brit's nature. No, it was only ever sweet and funny. Oliver liked to watch Summer when she laughed. Her grin grew bigger, her cheeks glowed more brightly, and her eyes twinkled like the brightest stars. Summer was simply stunning at any time, but especially when she was happy and, or laughing at him or something else that she found amusing.

He's looking forward to meeting you too. Oliver assured his girlfriend. Tristan feels bad that he never got to meet you when you were at the hospital. But I told him he shouldn't even be worried about it. He rolled his eyes a little. With everything Tristan had been dealing with and doing to help Brooklyn, the last thing he needed to be, was sorry for not having the time to meet Summer. It wasn't even a proper place to make such introductions. Tristan was not to be blamed, by himself or anyone else.

Oliver had to try to act normal and not smile too big or laugh too much as he casually worked to move Summer towards the back patio. When he did finally get her out there and everyone yelled surprise, the look of shock and excitement on her face was unparalleled. He hoped someone had gotten a picture, kicking himself that he hadn't brought a camera. But it did seem that there were plenty of flashes going off. So he was sure he could find someone who had the photo and get it from them.

Well it was Brooklyn's idea. Oliver answered Summer's question about the party. But we all pitched in and helped her make it a reality. She's been so excited to do this for you. I confess, we tried to talk her out of it, we were a little afraid it might be too much for her to take on right now. But you know Brooklyn...She's very insistent and in the end she got her way. Oliver smiled and looked around at the place, it looked almost magical. I really think it was good for her though. Oliver added.

Planning the party had given Brooklyn something other then her physical condition, to focus on. While the wedding coordinator had gone on with the planning of the union between her and Tristan, she'd been able to do something fun and much less stressful. Plan a birthday party for her future Brother in Law's girlfriend. Not to mention Dom was one of her best friends and it was a favor to him as well. Didn't she do an amazing job? Oliver asked, referring to what Brooklyn had been able to accomplish with the party. It was quite a feat if you were in perfect health, let alone recovering from a near death experience. To say that Oliver was proud of their Brooklyn, would have been a gross understatement. [/ul][/size]

[SUMMER LILA BANES]

She bit her lip and laughed quietly, shaking her head and waving her hand. "No, you never are." She laughed, shaking her head. She could never be mad at him, no matter how hard she tried... then again, he'd yet to give her an excuse to be mad at him. She was lucky for that, but in a way, it scared her for when that chance would come.

When he told her that his brother was just as happy to be meeting her as she was him, she let out a small breath. She'd gone all this time without meeting the rest of his family that she'd begun to think they didn't want to meet her. As unfair of a statement as that may have been, considering the only family she had for him to meet were her brother and her niece, it still bothered her. Until now, that is. After hearing his explanation for why they hadn't been introduced yet, she shook her head. "That was neither the time nor place for an introduction." She agreed with him.

Summer's heart ached when she heard that Brooklyn, their dear friend who was still recovering from a gruesome and deadly attack had thrown her a surprise birthday party. She almost felt guilty about it... but the thought that it had given her a distraction and made her happy was more than she could have ever asked for. "I can't believe how amazing she is..." She said, simply looking around at all of the guests, colors, and lights. She spotted Brooklyn and walked over to her, slipping from Oliver's arms quickly as she reached out for her friend, letting the woman hug her first before Summer ended up touching a sore spot. "I'm at a loss for words, Brooklyn. Thank you." She said to her, smiling brightly, her eyes full of gratitude.

[OLIVER SEBASTIAN WELCOTT]

[/color] That was assuming the wedding was still to take place as planned. That was still up in the air. Not that Tristan and Brooklyn wouldn't get married some day. But perhaps not as soon as they had planned. Either way, it was to be a challenging time. Oliver hoped the happiness would outweigh the challenges. Tristan and Brooklyn both had their heads on straight and were madly in love with each other. Oliver knew they'd manage somehow. She will adore you. He assured the woman he had grown to care for more deeply that he thought he could ever care again.

I know. Oliver agreed, shaking his head. She's unbelievable. Brooklyn Sawyer was truly one of the most amazing people he'd ever known. Despite what she'd been through, she was still strong and confident and willing to fight, even when she was tired. Sure she'd given up for a short time. But Brooklyn hadn't let herself go for long. Oliver smiled as he watched the women of his and Tristan's lives embrace. They were both beautiful and perfect in every way. The Welcott boys were beyond blessed. [/ul][/size]

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