The first thing that catches my eye when I walk into the kitchen are the balloons. Purple, blue, and white balloons are tied to the kitchen chairs. Taped to the lights hanging above the kitchen island. There's streamers hung up on the ceiling–twisted with two colors–purple and teal. A few presents sit on the kitchen table with a card.
Mom and dad have always gone to the extreme with birthdays and holidays. I've never minded, I actually think it's really sweet of them. It makes waiting a whole year worth it to me.
"My birthday girl is awake!" Mom shouts from the hallway. "Happy, happy, happy, birthday, my sweet girl!" She wraps her arms around my shoulders, kissing my cheek over and over again.
"Mom!" I shout in laughter, shrinking down into her arms, which she tightens around me like snake.
"Happy birthday, Willow! Happy birthday to you!" Dad sings and claps behind us. "Happy birthday, Willow, and we both love you!" His arms wrap around moms, which are still very tightly wrapped around me. "Happy birthday, sweetheart."
I tap my chin to his arm. "Thanks, daddy."
"The best day of my life, Willow." Mom kisses my cheek again.
Then dad adds, "a day I'll never forget."
"Okay!" I wiggle free from their double snake hold.
"Just wait until you have kids, baby." Says mom. "Life has a whole new meaning to it."
I take a seat at the kitchen island, playing with the birthday confetti that was thrown on while one of them decorated. "I have to want kids first, mama."
"It can change." Dad places his hands on my shoulders.
"Anyway..." I mumble.
Mom just shakes her head at me. "Since you don't eat breakfast this early, we'll save your birthday breakfast for Sunday. Is that okay?"
I nod quickly and look behind my shoulder to the kitchen table. "But can I open my presents now?" I ask with a smile.
"I don't see why not." Mom says as dad thinks which gift to grab. "But only one. The rest have to wait until tonight."
"Oh, come on..." I sulk in my chair.
Dad then sets a square shaped gift in front of me, and mom grins knowing what it is. "This will make up for not being able to open them all right now."
I take the box in my hands. There's weight to it. I slide my thumb under the folded side and rip the wrapping paper off all in one piece.
The new iPod I asked for for Christmas! There's nothing wrong with the one I currently have, I just wanted a black one
"We couldn't find it during the holidays, so when we saw it last month, dad and I thought it was a perfect birthday present, honey."
"It is. Thank you."
I set the box down and hug dad as tight as I possibly can. I then hop off my chair and walk over to mom, and hug her just as tight.
* * * * * *
"Hey!" Jace pulls me in for a hug. "Happy birthday, baby." He kisses me while his fingers tickle around my back, and while he falls to the wall of lockers behind him.
Giggling, I pull away. "Thanks, babe." I tiptoe up to kiss him back, now without the giggles.
"I'm taking you out for dinner tonight."
I fall back into my heels. "My parents usually take me out for a birthday dinner..."
Jace smiles at me. "I talked to them the other day. You and me. Me and you." His hands slip into mine. "A birthday dinner date for two."
