Arianne caught Lexx by the back of his overalls half a step before his hand found the bottom tier of the cake.
He twisted against her grip, unbothered, reaching again. One year old and already certain the world would eventually give him what he wanted if he just kept asking. She set him on her hip and turned him toward the garden instead, where the noise was louder and more interesting than frosting.
The Rochefort lawn had been rearranged for the occasion. Long tables under the pergola, a banner strung low enough for a one-year-old to notice, blue and gold because Lily had voted twice and Leo had let her win. Franz stood near the drinks table with his sleeves pushed up, laughing at something Gilbert had said, and did not look over. He didn't need to. Arianne had learned, over three years, that he always knew exactly where in a room she was.
