Family, yes...

[Maribelle continues to contemplate her boots for a few more moments before glancing back up with a perhaps unnaturally cheery expression.]

Hold a moment. There's no good having a birthday party if the candles burn down to the stubs and we end up sitting in the dark.

Here. You cut the cake and I'll prepare some flatware. And you can tell me more in the meantime.

[She bounces up and quickly makes her way to a drawer.]