“Of course I would” Tina laughed as she passed Alice a bowl of chips. “Here take these downstairs.”

“No problem boss” Alice said with a salute before heading down the stairs.

Suddenly the door bell rang, and Meghan came charging through the room and down the stairs. “I got it, I got it” she yelled as she ran by.

“Wow, someone is excited” Alice said with a whistle.

“I guess it’s not every day that you turn a teenager”

“You can say that again old wise one” Alice laughed.

“Hardy har har, I hope you realize you are older than me” Tina yelled down the stairs after the quickly disappearing Alice. Tina was unwrapping some plastic cups when squeals from her niece almost caused her to drop everything.

“Auntie Tee! Auntie Tee! Guess who is here!” Meghan squealed as she ran up the stairs and into the apartment.

“hmmm, let me see… your friends?” Tina laughed to see the joy on the child’s face.

“Well I hope we are all friends” Bette said as she stepped into the apartment flashing Tina her one hundred watt smile.

Tina felt her knees go a little weak as Bette walked into her apartment. “What are you doing here” Tina managed to say once she found her voice.

“I heard someone was having a birthday party, and well… I thought you invited us” Bette said feeling a little confused.

“I did, did I?” Tina said looking over to Alice who was suddenly fixated on something on the ceiling.

“Well Alice dropped off this invite” Kit added stepping around Bette and handing Tina the birthday invitation.

“Of course, right, the invitation” Tina pretended to remember when she saw the look of disappointment on Bette’s face. “Of course, I invited you. I am just surprised to see you here already.”

“Oh sorry, are we too early?” Shane asked apologetically.

“No, of course not. Just in time to help with bringing down the snacks. Grab a bowl and Meghan will show you where to put it” Tina said with a smile gesturing to the bowls of snacks on the table. “Alice can I see you in the kitchen for a minute.”