Jasmine

''I need monster high balloons!'' shouted Cole to the party men. We had exactly four hours to give Gracie the birthday party of her life. Thankfully, Cole's parents decided to pick her up for a while to give us some time.

My little girl's growing up.

I have been here for 4 months now and have been planning her party in my head for the past two weeks. Even though I was happy for Gracie, I was freaking out at the thought of seeing Cole's parents. I had never seen them before. I was unsure of the first impression I would make. I didn't know what to think of them; Cole never talked about them.

I've only seen him a handful of times after he met my friends. I thought things had gone well, but perhaps not. Still, avoiding me for that reason, or any other reason, seemed a little immature. What was even more immature was the fact that I couldn't help obsessing over it.

Choosing to stress me about it later, I slid on my shoes and went out to help the party planners bring in the stuff.

''That's not what he ordered,'' I stated as I lifted a flap of one of the boxes in the van, bewildered to find purple disney-themed balloons.

''Yes it is,'' they said, trying to brush me off.

''No. It's not. He ordered monster high balloons, not disney. There's a difference.''

''Ma'am, that is what he ordered,'' they said and took the box from me, walking into the house.

I rushed after them. ''Don't you dare bring those in there? I was right there when he ordered them. I know what she likes and I know Gracie would not want a disney-themed party over Monster High. So if you could kindly get those out of here and get the ones Mr. Archer ordered, that would be nice.'' I demanded, crossing my arms as Cole walked by. He was running his hands through his hair and had his phone on his shoulder, pressed to his ear. When he saw us, he started walking towards us.

''Everything alright? Got what I ordered, right? I don't have time for bullshit. I'm not paying you all this money to get the order wrong. When I look in those boxes, it's going to be what I ordered, right?''

At Cole's evident impatience, they blanch, shoulders slumping as they pick up the boxes once more. I crossed my arms, smirking as they walked past me, making sure not to look in my direction.

Smiling, I looked over at a frustrated Cole. I could tell he was stressed by the lines forming on his forehead and how he was constantly rubbing his head.

''I got it,'' I said, walking towards the stairs.

''Huh?''

''I got it. I'll take care of the party decorations. You have a lot of stressful things coming up and it's my job, anyway. I can do it. Give me two more hours, max!" I shouted and ran upstairs.

How hard could it be? I went shopping with her all the time. It was mostly for random things since the maid did all the grocery shopping. But I already knew what she liked.

Grey sweatpants? No, those make me look weird. Green mini dress? No, I'm not trying to go all out. Jeans and a t-shirt it is! Just as I was about to throw my clothes on and head out, Cole entered and stood in the doorway, covering his eyes.

''Jazz? Are you decent?''

Jazz? When did he start calling me that?

''Yeah. I was just about to change though, what's up?'' I heard him walk in, and soon he was standing at my bathroom entrance. ''Jazz?'' I asked jokingly.

He smiles while staring at me through the mirror. '' I heard everyone call you that. And I guess it started growing on me. I'll stop if you want.''

''No! I mean no, it's cool. As you said, everyone else calls me that. You should too.''

The moment was over like that. He cleared his throat and looked down at the floor again. ''Here. I wanted to give you my card to use for the decorations. I can't thank you enough. You're a wonderful nanny,'' he said, handing me a black visa card and walking back out.

''And back to normal,'' I whispered before getting ready.

....

(1 Hour before the birthday party)

''Where is it?'' I shouted, moving the couch pillow, then chucking it away in frustration.

''Check in the basement, sweetie.''

''Mom, you don't think that was the first place I looked?'' She gave me a look that told me I needed to watch my tone. I breathed in.'' I'm sorry. It's just-I really need that necklace. I want my birthday present to Gracie to be special. ''

I needed to find the necklace my grandma had given me for my 6th birthday. It wasn't just any necklace. It was a special necklace. The necklace had been passed on for more generations than I could remember. And I wanted to pass it on to Gracie. Even though she wasn't my blood daughter, I loved her as if she was my own.

''Okay, maybe it's in your room. Have you checked there?'' my mom asked, popping a skittle in her mouth as she sat down.

''Didn't you guys give the room to Harley when I moved out? I'm sure she probably threw everything that even had a trace of me out.''

''You are absolutely right. And I did you a favor. Have you seen your style? Ugh, very embarrassing,'' taunted Harley, walking in.

Bingo.

''Yes!'' I cheered and threw the other pillows back on the sofa and ran to Harley's room.

I remembered now. Moving out, I didn't want to lose it because I knew the minute I got drunk I would sell it or something equally dumb. So the day I moved out, I hid it in a small box under the big dresser I had in my room. Now I just had to pray she didn't move it.

Moving the mini dresser by her bed to the side, I looked under and saw it was still there.

Please, please, please, don't just be an empty box

When I checked inside, I was relieved my necklace was still in there.

''Whew,'' I said, wiping my forehead. Now I just need to know how much time I had before I was officially late.

4:34

I had approximately 26 minutes to get to the house.

I can work with that.

It was a good thing I had already dropped off the decorations and hung them up. ''Okay thanks, bye!" I shouted, running back in the living room and out the door.

''Tell them I said hello!''

(Skip car ride)

Unlocking their house with the key Cole gave me when I started, I slowly tried to make my way to the kitchen. On my way here, I called Cole, telling him I was going to be a little late. At first, we were just going to do the standard birthday cake tradition, but later decided to add just a little spice to it.

I could hear everyone had already started singing happy birthday. Hiding the necklace in my pocket, I snuck into the kitchen, making sure not to mess it up. I managed to buy the last customizable monster high cake at the bakery at such short notice and it turned out great.

As they finished singing, I held the cake in my arms and ran to the living room when they went to the kitchen.

Track has finally paid off.

''Daddy, where's the cake? You promised I was getting a Monster High cake.''

Over the phone, we agreed my sign was about to come in with the cake when Cole started coughing aloud.

''I'm sorry, Gracie. I think we forgot about it. ''

''Oh. So no cake and no Jasmine.'' I heard Gracie pout and wanted to run in, but stopped myself.

''Cole, did you really forget your daughter's cake? You would think becoming a quarterback would make you responsible,'' I assumed that was his mother.

Damn, it's a prank lady.

''Ahem! Hack-Hack!''

That was certainly not what a duck sounded like, but we would discuss that later.

"Surprise!'' I shouted, running into the kitchen, carefully holding up the cake. Everyone-except Cole-turned to me, shocked. Gracie tackled me to the ground once I sat the cake down.

''You and daddy pranked me, didn't you? You were here the whole time!'' she asked as I lay on the ground, half laughing-half crying at how strong she was.

''I have no idea what you're talking about.''

She smiled and gave me one of her death stares before going over to the cake. Cole came right after with his hand extended for me to get up. Pushing it away, I got up from the ground. ''I'm not that old, I'm getting there, but not that old,'' I joked as he chuckled.

''Thanks, Jasmine. We really got her,'' he said sarcastically.

It wasn't easy trying to trick Gracie. She was a mastermind. Anytime I needed to figure out a math problem, all I had to do was go to Gracie. So I was an amateur to think she would fall for this one.

''Oh, and you really sold it with the duck impressions, boss. ''

He put his hand over his heart and fake shocked, ''Excuse you! My was duck sounds are on point.''

''Presents time!'' Cole's mother shouted. He cleared his throat, nodded, and walked back over to the living room where his parents had moved to.

As I walked behind him, there were piles and piles of wrapped presents on the floor.

''Yay!'' said Gracie, running to the pile.

The first box she opened was a gigantic Barbie doll. And by the time she finished opening them all, I had come to the realization that my meek necklace could not compete.

''You like them?'' Cole asked, kissing her forehead.

''I love them! You guys are the best!"'

''It was nothing,'' Cole's dad finally said something. Now, looking at the two, I saw Cole was an identical match. If it wasn't for the age gap, I would have thought they were twins. Besides the Archer family genetics, I still had my gift clutched in my hands.

Nope, not doing it.

I excused myself and headed for my room. I would just give Gracie her necklace in private. For some reason, I was slightly embarrassed at how much they had gotten her. Cole and his parents had showered a total of 50 presents. I had the money, Cole was paying me nearly 2 thousand a month. I just didn't know we were supposed to go all out.

But as I stepped into my room, I felt a pair of hands wrap around my leg. By how small they were, I knew it was Gracie.

''Hey, girl, shouldn't you be downstairs?''

''Thank you! I'm going to wear this necklace forever.'' I pulled her off me and crouched down to meet her eye level. She had the necklace on. My grandma's necklace was hanging down her neck, shining. And she looked more beautiful than I could have imagined.

It must have fallen out.

''Aww, you're so welcome, sweetheart,'' I said and returned the hug.

''You're the best, Jasmine. Sorry for hating you.''

And we're back.