Delicious smells wreathed around Lili as she stood in the kitchen, small face tilted up and nose nearly quivering. Cupcakes, cookies, the huge raspberry tart that her mother had just pulled from the oven... all mingling together. Sighing in near bliss, she ran outside to check on the progress her father was making on the little garden bower he was setting up just for her and Millie.

As she approached the corner of the backyard that held the garden, she very nearly ran over her father. Yelping a little as she was startled, the yelp quickly turned into delighted giggling as she was scooped up and given a rough bear hug.

"Well, my little love, it's all ready for you girls. Let's go get us cleaned up before Millie arrives, no?"

Nodding eagerly, she cuddled into her father's chest before being set back on the ground.

"Thank you, daddy," she said in a soft voice. "I really appreciate you doing this for me."

And she did. It wasn't every day that one turned thirteen. And it certainly wasn't everyday where she go to have an actual and honest tea party with her best friend. Darting back into the house, she made a beeline for her bathroom and turned on the shower. She had time enough for a quick wash before she put on her new dress.

This was going to be the best! Lili just knew it.

Orangeish Sherbert