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"I'm not doing that yet."
"Which?"
I chuckled. "Either of the two. We just need to get ready before the clock hits twelve, silly!"
He gasped. "Fuck, that's right. Okay, it's eleven. What do we need to do? I can call Cap to see when he'll get here."
I frowned at that. I'd messaged Reed on my way home with Leia.
But he'd given a very cryptic reply, saying he needed to meet someone to get to the bottom of some nasty shit.
And funnily enough, he sounded super apologetic, even though he hadn't done anything wrong.
By fate, the doorbell rang not ten minutes later. I got into my dress and opened the door, and there he was, his face ravaged with guilt.
He took one look at me and pulled me into a tight, tight hug. Surprised, I hugged him back. "Hey, are you alright?"
"I will be," he replied, still talking in half-sentences. "But before anything else, do you think Leia will like this?"
He held out a small engraved wooden box. I took it in my hands and gently opened it. Inside, on a pretty embroidered cushion, sat the loveliest necklace I'd ever seen. It was of a sparrow in flight, done entirely in gold.
"It's beautiful, Reed. She's going to love it so much."
Asher made an entrance from the bedroom, making Reed scowl. "What have you three been up to?"
He gave him a goofy grin. "No good, Skipper. That's what we've been up to. I'm gonna go get the kitchen ready."
Miguel and Asher set up the kitchen, transforming it into a whimsical wonderland complete with twinkling fairy lights draped over every surface.
I brought out the cake I'd baked before leaving for work this morning.
Fluffy layers of vanilla sponge rose tall and proud, adorned with swirls of pastel pink frosting.
I had crowned the top with an arrangement of edible flowers, delicate little petals perfectly preserved with a light sugar dusting.
I'd had to be subtle in getting to know what flavors Leia liked best, but a trip to an ice cream truck had done the job.
Vanilla buttercream with a swirled butterscotch and chocolate center.
"Are we ready?" I whispered, checking the time. Eleven fifty.
"As much as we'll ever be."
I called Leia, knowing full well that she was awake and waiting for her first birthday wish. It wasn't everyday that you turned thirteen.
"Hey," she replied sweetly.
"Hey, sweetheart. D'you mind coming over to my place for a quick second? I baked you something."
"No, what? Really? You didn't have to!"
"Its no big deal, just something small. Come on, I'm waiting!"
From the window, Miguel saw her leave their home and walk to our front porch.
I opened the door, and as soon as she walked in, I hugged her.
"Hey, L," I said. "Thirteen looks amazing on you."
