Chapter 48 – The Best Day Ever
Liam's POV
Today is my birthday!
I'm five now — FIVE! That's a whole hand! I told Mommy that when I woke up this morning, and she laughed and kissed my forehead and said, "Yes, baby. You're a whole big boy now."
I like the sound of that.
When I opened my eyes, there were balloons all over the room — green ones, blue ones, even a shiny silver balloon shaped like a T-Rex! It was tied to my bedpost, swaying gently like it was watching me. I stared at it for a second and whispered, "Hi, Mr. Rex."
I think he winked at me.
I jumped out of bed, and before my feet even hit the floor, Daddy came bursting in with a silly hat on his head and a huge smile on his face.
"Happy Birthday, champ!" he shouted, lifting me up in the air.
I giggled and wrapped my arms around his neck. Daddy always smells like his cologne — strong, clean, and safe. I love that smell. I love my Daddy.
"Today's all about you," he said, spinning me around until I laughed so hard my belly hurt.
Mommy came in next, holding a cupcake with a candle on it. "Before the party begins, you get your birthday breakfast wish."
I closed my eyes tightly, squishing them shut with all my might. I wished for this — for Mommy and Daddy to never leave again. For us to always be like this. Together.
I blew out the candle, and Mommy kissed my cheek. "What did you wish for?"
I grinned. "If I tell you, it won't come true!"
They both laughed.
We went downstairs and… WOW! The whole living room had been turned into a dinosaur land. There were green vines hanging from the ceiling, cardboard palm trees, and dino footprints on the floor that led to the backyard. And in the middle of it all — the biggest bouncy castle I had ever seen in my entire life.
"Whoa…" I whispered, eyes wide. "This is the BEST. DAY. EVER."
"Only the best for my boy," Daddy said, ruffling my hair.
The guests started coming in soon after. My classmates, some neighbors, even Uncle Micah and Auntie Ella. Everyone brought presents, and everyone said I was the coolest five-year-old they knew.
But the best part wasn't the gifts or even the bouncy castle.
It was them.
Mommy and Daddy were together. They kept smiling at each other, holding hands when they thought I wasn't looking. Daddy picked Mommy up and spun her around once, and she laughed in that pretty way that makes her eyes sparkle. I think he kissed her cheek, too, but I pretended not to see. Yuck!
But still… I liked it. I liked seeing them happy.
Because for a while, it didn't used to be like this. I didn't always know Daddy the way I do now. I used to see him sometimes, but he always seemed far away. Mommy used to look tired and sad when she thought I wasn't watching. I remember that.
But not anymore.
Now, Daddy reads to me every night and tucks me in. He says things like "I love you, bud," and "I'm proud of you." He even sits on the floor and colors with me — even though he's really bad at staying inside the lines.
Today, he helped me blow up balloons and carried the cake out while everyone sang "Happy Birthday." It was a giant T-Rex cake — my favorite! Chocolate with green frosting. Mommy said she baked it with love, and I believe her.
When it was time to open presents, everyone watched. I got toy cars, art kits, puzzles, and even a real mini camera! But the last gift was from Mommy and Daddy.
It was a little silver chain with a tiny dinosaur charm on it.
"This is so you always remember you're brave," Mommy whispered, helping me put it on.
"And that you're never alone," Daddy added.
I held it tight in my hand and smiled so big my cheeks hurt.
Later in the day, after all the guests left and the house got quiet again, I was sitting on the floor playing with my new toys. Daddy sat on the couch with Mommy snuggled beside him. Her head was on his shoulder, and he was stroking her hair. She looked sleepy and safe.
I looked at them for a long time.
Then I crawled onto the couch and snuggled right in between them, lying across both their laps. Daddy laughed and picked me up, laying me on his chest.
"You tired, buddy?" he asked.
"No," I yawned. "Just comfy."
Mommy giggled. "I think someone's about to knock out."
I looked up at them, both smiling at me, and I whispered, "This was the best birthday ever."
Daddy kissed my forehead. "You made it the best."
"I love you, Mommy," I mumbled, my voice getting heavy.
"I love you too, sweetheart."
I turned to Daddy. "I love you too, Daddy."
He hugged me close. "I love you more than anything, Liam."
I fell asleep in their arms, holding onto the little dinosaur necklace and smiling in my dreams.
Because everything I ever wanted was already right here.
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