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"It's a rock!" Teddy giggles, plopping the rock Charlie gave her back into its box. She didn't know what kind of present she expected to get from a four-year-old, but it wasn't a rock bigger than her hand.
But now's no time to worry about that. The doorbell rings, and something light sparks in Teddys chest. She jumps up, too eager, immediately dialing it back. "That must be Beau."
"Really?" Bob raises an eyebrow. "What'd you invite him for?"
"Well, you see..." Teddy laughs, nervous, opening the door. Beau's presence will probably help with delivering the big news to her dad.
Or, it would, if Beau came through the door.
Spencer launched himself through instead, developing Teddy into a big hug. She swallows hard, disgust stomping out the sweet feeling she was trying to enjoy.
"Happy birthday!" Spencer beams, squeezing a little too tight before finally letting her go.
Teddy swallows again as she stumbles away from him, hugging herself. "Spencer. What a... nice surprise. What are you doing here?" She glances over at her family, seeing the barely contained anger on their faces. Everyone knows about the cheating fiasco. And no one's willing to forgive something like that.
"Oh, come on!" He slings an arm around Teddy's shoulder, offering her the bouquet he's holding. "Did you really think I'd miss your eighteenth birthday?"
"Considering you had to fly in and we're broken up, yes. I did."
"Come on, why are you so sour--"
There's a knock on the open door behind them, a sweet, southern voice flitting through. "Hello?"
Teddy grins, hoping her voice won't give away her discomfort with this entire situation. "Beau's here."
Beau walks, in, opening an arm to Teddy and letting her walk into a hug. She does, glad he doesn't smell like skunk today. "Happy birthday, Teddy." He pulls away, holding a bigger bouquet than Spencer's in front of him. He waves her to her family, and at least Bob smiles. "And hello, everyone! Who's the guy with the smaller bouquet?"
Spencer's face sets in a frown. "Who's the guy with the cheaper flowers?"
Teddy takes a deep breath, gravitating towards Beau's side. "Beau, this is Spencer."
Beau blinks. "Spencer? The Spencer you told me about? Who cheated on you?"
"The one and only," Teddy looks at the ground.
"Ah."
"Oh, come on." Spencer scoffs. "That only happened once. Years ago. And you're not going to introduce me to this guy?"
"Beau is my boyfriend, Spencer." She leans to look past him, at her dad's confused face. "Sorry, Dad. I had like a whole speech planned to announce it."
Bob huffs, standing up. Taking a moment to assess the situation before clapping a hand on Spencer's shoulder. "Drop the flowers and get out, cheater boy."
"Bob--"
Bob gives Spencer a glare, shutting him up. He nearly shoves Spencer right back out the door, turning back to look at Beau. "I'll have to have a talk with you later, after I deal with this pest."
"Yes, sir." Beau nods, handing Teddy her bouquet from him.
She smiles as Bob closes the door behind him and Spencer and smells the flowers. "Thank you, Beau. They're beautiful."
"Almost as beautiful as you." He snakes an arm around her waist and presses a kiss to her temple, walking her back to the couch and sitting next to her. Right in time for P.J. to bring out the cake.